Cornerstone Research says the US Securities and Exchange Commission launched 33 crypto-related lawsuits last year, down from 47 in 2023

The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s crypto-related enforcement actions dropped by 30% in the last year under former Chair Gary Gensler, a report has found.

The agency launched just 33 crypto-related actions in its last year under Gensler, compared to 47 actions the year prior in what was its peak enforcement year, Cornerstone Research said in a Jan. 23 report. 

The SEC charged a total of 90 defendants or respondents in crypto enforcement actions last year, which comprised 57 individuals and 33 firms.

There was also a marked drop in administrative proceedings, which fell by more than 50%. Monetary penalties imposed against crypto industry participants reached a record high of almost $5 billion in 2024, carried by the SEC’s $4.5 billion settlement with Terraform Labs.

Gensler, who was appointed by Joe Biden in 2021, stepped down as SEC chair on Jan. 20 with Donald Trump entering the White House.

Cornerstone said over half of the SEC’s enforcement actions in 2024 were in September and October, with only four actions initiated after the US elections in November.