The regulation surrounding cryptocurrencies remains an important topic of discussion. Most recently, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, has again spoken out about tokens with staking protocols and their potential classification as securities under US law. In addition, there have been several regulatory proposals that could affect the crypto industry.
Strike crypto may be seen as securities under US law
Gary Gensler, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has again indicated that tokens using staking protocols may be classified as securities. considered under US law. Gensler believes investors expect a return on Proof of Stake (PoS) tokens and that any company with a token should try to comply with securities laws. These comments by Gensler followed statements made by the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Growing Attention to Crypto Regulation in the US
The SEC recently settled its first strike-as-a-service enforcement action with Kraken. In addition, it is alleged that Ethereum is an unregistered security and that its makers are failing to comply with US securities laws as part of an enforcement case against crypto exchange KuCoin. The SEC recently proposed three proposed rules to tighten cybersecurity, consumer privacy and system standards for the securities industry, including some companies involved in digital assets.
Gary Gensler’s comments about tokens with staking protocols potentially being considered securities under US law show that regulation of cryptocurrencies in the US continues to evolve. While there is still uncertainty about how these assets are classified and regulated, it appears that regulators such as the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are starting to tighten up. This can have both positive and negative consequences for the crypto industry and the companies involved in it.