SEC Sues Coinbase: Major Cryptocurrency Exchange Accused of US Securities Law Violations
Coinbase, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for operating as an unregistered national. This lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the SEC's regulatory efforts within the cryptocurrency industry.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Coinbase today, alleging it violated U.S. securities laws. The charges against Coinbase involve allegations of operating as an unregistered exchange, broker, and clearing agency.
SEC Complaint Highlights Coinbase's Alleged Regulatory Failures
As alleged in the SEC’s complaint, Coinbase’s failure to register has deprived investors of significant protections, including inspection by the SEC, recordkeeping requirements, and safeguards against conflicts of interest. The SEC argues that Coinbase's actions put investors at risk and undermined the integrity of the financial markets.
Coinbase Lawsuit Follows Binance Charges
Less than 24 hours after filing more than a dozen charges against Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, the SEC alleged that Coinbase has made billions of dollars unlawfully facilitating the buying and selling of unregistered securities. This coordinated action signals a clear intent by the SEC to aggressively pursue alleged violations within the crypto space.
The SEC's lawsuit against Coinbase raises critical questions about the future of cryptocurrency regulation in the United States and the potential impact on crypto exchanges and investors alike.