Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler is going back on the offensive against those in the crypto industry that he says are purposefully shirking regulations.
On Thursday, Gensler repeated his demands that crypto exchanges, brokers and attorneys in the digital coin industry comply with securities rules. It’s the latest salvo by the SEC chief in his push to clamp down on an asset class that he says often operates in legal gray areas.
The SEC has been at odds with much of the crypto industry over whether the agency's regulations should apply to projects that are more decentralized than stocks or bonds since long before Gensler took over the agency in April 2021. Tensions have increased during the past year, with the SEC chair repeatedly arguing that most tokens are covered by those rules.
“The public deserves the same protections from your clients that they get with other issuers of securities,” Gensler said in remarks prepared for Thursday’s Practising Law Institute’s SEC Speaks event in Washington. “Not liking the message isn’t the same thing as not receiving it.”
Crypto enthusiasts say forcing digital asset firms to comply with traditional registration and oversight requirements could effectively kill businesses. Furthermore, some argue the “decentralized” nature of digital asset trading also makes it difficult to obtain the types of information the SEC typically requires.
American lawmakers are now considering multiple proposals that would significantly boost the power of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. swaps and futures regulator, to oversee crypto assets. Some securities lawyers say that passage of those bills would diminish the SEC’s authority over the asset class.
On Thursday, Gensler said any legislation should be done in a way that maintains the SEC’s oversight of “crypto security tokens.” He added that those assets make up the bulk of digital assets that are currently traded.
Catch-up contributions, required minimum distributions, and 529 plans are just some of the areas the Biden-ratified legislation touches.
Following a similar move by Robinhood, the online investing platform said it will also offer 24/5 trading initially with a menu of 100 US-listed stocks and ETFs.
The private equity giant will support the advisor tech marketing firm in boosting its AI capabilities and scaling its enterprise relationships.
The privately backed RIA's newest partner firm brings $850 million in assets while giving it a new foothold in the Salt Lake City region.
The latest preliminary data show $117 billion in second-quarter sales, but hints of a slowdown are emerging.
Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.
Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.
