Popularity of Crypto Investments Makes Case for Regulations, Australian Securities Watchdog Says

High rates of crypto ownership, with purchases often made on advice from Youtube and Facebook, make “a strong case for regulation,” according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The watchdog backs its stance with poll results showing nearly half of retail investors in Australia keep one coin or another. Australian Securities Regulator Pushes for … Read more

Europe’s Securities Regulator ESMA Seeks to Obtain Crypto Transaction Data

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is gearing up to implement stricter oversight in regards to crypto-related transactions. The agency is now looking to hire suppliers of trading data, as monitoring major participants in the market falls under its responsibilities. ESMA Launches Public Procurement for Providers of Crypto Trading Data The securities watchdog of … Read more

Coinbase Reportedly Facing SEC Probe for Listing Unregistered Securities

Coinbase, the U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, is reportedly facing a probe from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the listing of several crypto assets on its platform. The investigation, according to three people with ostensible knowledge of the matter, is examining whether the exchange has been listing assets that can be classified as unregistered securities. … Read more

SEC Criticized for How It Regulates Crypto — Chair Gensler Says Most Crypto Tokens ‘Have Attributes of Securities’

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been heavily criticized for its approach to regulating the crypto sector. The criticism followed the securities regulator’s action against a former Coinbase employee in an insider trading case, in which the SEC named nine crypto tokens listed on Coinbase as securities. SEC Slammed for Regulation by Enforcement … Read more

SEC Fines John McAfee’s Associate $375K in Penalties for ICO Promotions

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) judgment, Jimmy Gale Watson, a former associate of the now deceased John McAfee, has been fined for being paid to promote pump and dump-fashioned initial coin offerings (ICOs). The SEC has ruled that Watson must pay roughly $375K in penalties and he’s not allowed to participate in … Read more