The New York Times: After Trump's Return to the White House, Major Retreat in SEC's Crypto Lawsuits
In a significant policy reversal following Donald Trump's return to the White House, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dramatically scaled back its enforcement actions against the cryptocurrency industry. An investigation by The New York Times found that over 60% of ongoing crypto-related cases were either paused, settled favorably, or dropped entirely under the new administration.
Key findings include the SEC dropping seven crypto cases, five of which involved firms with known financial ties to Trump. An additional seven cases saw reduced charges or lenient settlements, with three linked to Trump associates. The remaining nine active cases involve entities with no known connection to the former president.
The SEC stated its shift was based on legal and policy considerations, not political favoritism, citing long-standing internal opposition to many crypto lawsuits. However, the timing coincides with Trump’s pro-crypto stance and his family’s business ventures in the sector, including the World Liberty Financial project.
Notable cases dropped or softened include those against Binance, Ripple Labs, and Gemini Trust. The latter is operated by the Winklevoss twins, who have financial and business ties to the Trump family. While no direct evidence of presidential pressure was found, the pattern suggests a stark departure from the aggressive enforcement seen under the Biden administration.
The policy shift has raised concerns among former SEC officials about investor protection and market integrity, while the crypto sector celebrates reduced regulatory pressure.
marsbit12/16 09:22
