The Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, recently stated that all crypto assets and transactions should be subject to U.S. securities laws, except for Bitcoin. Gensler claims that “everything other than Bitcoin” should be considered a security, as the people behind crypto projects are attempting to entice investors to purchase tokens. The Chairman’s comments have received criticism from the crypto industry, which has yet to officially classify crypto assets.
Crypto Industry Responds
The notion that all crypto assets are securities has been disputed by many lawyers and experts. Jake Chervinsky, a lawyer and chief policy officer at the Blockchain Association, stated that the SEC lacks the authority to regulate any crypto assets until and unless it proves its case in court. The SEC has been enforcing regulation in the crypto industry without a robust regulatory framework, prompting criticism from SEC Commissioner Hester Pierce.
Pierce has urged Congress to accelerate the rollout of legislation to officially classify crypto assets, stating that “using enforcement actions to tell people what the law is in an emerging industry is not an efficient or fair way of regulating.” Until then, the SEC will continue to take matters into its own hands by enforcing actions against crypto-related entities.
Bitcoin Excluded
Gensler has repeatedly stated that Bitcoin is excluded from this classification, as spot trading for Bitcoin is not subject to securities laws. While Gensler has been outspoken about his views on crypto assets, he has not yet clarified what actions the SEC will take to enforce securities laws on crypto assets.
Crypto’s Future
The SEC’s stance on crypto assets has created uncertainty and volatility in the crypto market, leaving many investors and industry participants anxious about the future of crypto. With a regulatory framework yet to be established for digital assets in the U.S., the crypto industry remains in a state of limbo. The Chairman’s comments highlight the need for clear and fair regulations that will protect investors and promote innovation in the crypto industry.