Bittrex Receives Wells Notice From SEC for Alleged Investor-Protection Law Violations

According to a recent report, the cryptocurrency exchange Bittrex received a Wells notice from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in March, signaling a potential lawsuit. The SEC’s enforcement division sent the Wells notice prior to Bittrex deciding to wind down its operations in the United States. ‘Lack of Regulatory Clarity’ in the U.S. … Read more

SEC in a Pickle: Crypto’s Tricky Trio Stirs Up Trouble in 2023

2023 is shaping up to be a painful year for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as it finds itself entangled in battles with the ever-evolving and innovative cryptocurrency industry. From Ripple to Coinbase and Tron, the SEC faces fierce opposition with potentially huge consequences. The following opinion editorial was written by Joseph Collement, … Read more

New York Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Kucoin and Declares Ethereum a Security

On March 9, 2023, New York attorney general Letitia James announced that her office had once again cracked down on crypto platforms by filing a lawsuit against the Seychelles-based crypto exchange Kucoin. Members of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) were able to purchase crypto assets, despite the exchange not being registered in the … Read more

Paxos Receives Wells Notice from SEC, NYDFS Orders Issuer to Stop Minting BUSD

According to a report published on Feb. 12, 2023, the New York-based financial institution and technology company, Paxos, has received a Wells Notice from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding alleged violations of investor protection laws. Paxos revealed the following day that it would no longer mint BUSD and it was ending its … Read more

First for SEC: Crypto Lending Platform Charged — Blockfi Agrees to Pay $100 Million in Penalties

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged cryptocurrency lending platform Blockfi in a first-of-its-kind action. The crypto lender has agreed to pay $100 million to settle the charges and pursue necessary registrations. SEC Charges Crypto Lending Platform Blockfi The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Monday that crypto lending platform Blockfi has … Read more

CFTC Fines ‘Decentralized’ Prediction Market Platform Polymarket $1.4 Million, Shuts Down Noncompliant Markets

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has ordered a “decentralized” prediction market platform to shut down non-compliant markets and pay a fine of $1.4 million. “Polymarket had been operating an illegal unregistered or non-designated facility for event-based binary options online trading contracts, known as ‘event markets,’” said the derivatives regulator. CFTC Takes First Crypto … Read more

Kraken Charged by CFTC Over Margined Crypto Transactions, $1.25 Million Penalty Imposed

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has charged Payward Ventures, the operator of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, “for illegally offering margined retail commodity transactions in digital assets, including bitcoin, and failing to register.” CFTC Charges Kraken, Imposes $1.25 Million Penalty The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced Tuesday that it has imposed a $1.25 million penalty … Read more

Malaysia Takes Enforcement Actions Against Binance, Advises Investors to ‘Withdraw All Investments Immediately’

The securities regulator of Malaysia has taken enforcement actions against the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Noting that the exchange is operating illegally in the country, the regulator has advised those who currently have accounts with Binance “to immediately cease trading through its platforms and to withdraw all their investments immediately.” Malaysia Issues Public Reprimand Against … Read more