US SEC Again Names ‘Crypto’ In Exam Priorities List, Here’s Why

Godfrey Benjamin
October 22, 2024
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US SEC Faces Backlash as Bybit Hack Highlights Lack of Oversight

Highlights

  • Crypto has entered the US SEC's Exam priorities list for the second time
  • The SEC has series of regulatory and enforcement actions in the industry this year
  • US elections might change the game overall

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has once again published its list of 2025 exam priorities, adding “Crypto Assets” for the second time in a row. Notably, this new exam priorities list has drawn a new round of criticism. This is because even though the US SEC has power to regulate the financial market, many said it has not acted fairly with crypto.

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US SEC and the Crypto Regulation Concern

By its assessment in the Exam Priorities List for next year, the regulator acknowledged the fast growth of the broader crypto landscape. As of writing, curated data from CoinMarketCap shows that there are more than 2.4 million assets in the market.

Over the past year, Ordinals inscriptions, memecoins, and Layer-1 and 2 assets have emerged. New Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols, Non-Fungible Token (NFT) projects, and more have also emerged. Drawing on this rapid growth, the US SEC said it will continue to examine the core players in this market.

The regulator said part of what it will assess is whether product registrants meet their standard of conduct and compliance practices. From last year till date, the regulator has issued Wells Notices to firms like OpenSea and Uniswap. Despite the no-correlation in their respective product offerings, the regulator considers their services securities offering that might warrant lawsuits.

Other firms have also faced charges and settled along the way. In light of this, Fox Business Journalist Eleanor Terrett noted that only Bitcoin and Ethereum have enjoyed regulatory and not enforcement relationship with the US SEC. Whether or not this will change in the coming years remains unknown.

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Can US Presidential Election Change The Game?

With the 2024 US Presidential Elections a few weeks away, the conversation on how this will impact the US SEC has filled discussion boards.

The two top Candidates in question Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have a somewhat different stance regarding the industry. While many considers Donald Trump as the crypto President, Kamala Harris is considered unfriendly based on this administration’s indulgence of the SEC.

Nonetheless, Chris Larsen has donated over $10 million to Kamala Harris Campaign. Donald Trump has also raked in over $7.5 million in crypto donations as industry leaders believe either of the candidates can end the regulation by enforcement tactics of the SEC.

 

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture. Follow him on X, Linkedin
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.