Coinbase Strengthens Case For Interlocutory Appeal In Latest Petition

As a researcher with a background in cryptocurrency and securities law, I find the ongoing legal battle between Coinbase and the SEC to be a fascinating and pivotal case in the regulatory history of digital assets. The recent developments in this case, particularly Coinbase’s response to the SEC’s petition for an interlocutory appeal, have added another layer of complexity to an already intricate legal dispute.


As a researcher studying the ongoing legal dispute between Coinbase and the SEC, I’m closely following the latest developments in this landmark crypto regulatory case. Recently, Coinbase has submitted its response to the commission’s initial petition for an interlocutory appeal in this complex legal matter.

Coinbase Sends Fiery Response To SEC As Appeal Saga Thickens

As a researcher examining recent developments in the cryptocurrency industry, I came across an intriguing legal dispute between Coinbase and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States. On April 12, Coinbase filed a petition with the court, requesting clarification on a significant legal issue: whether the absence of post-sale obligations can prevent the formation of an investment contract. This question is crucial for Coinbase as it could impact their ongoing case with the SEC.

The SEC countered by maintaining that the court didn’t need to approve an interlocutory appeal since existing securities laws, including the Howey Test, have been effective for many years. According to the Commission, no judge had previously demanded a post-sale contract application of the test.

In a newly filed Memorandum of Law on May 24, Coinbase argues that the focus of the interlocutory appeal lies in an unprecedented issue: no higher court has determined whether a digital asset transaction without any post-sale obligations can be classified as an “investment contract” under the Howey test.

The SEC is allegedly evading the central legal issue in their opposing motion by shifting focus from the main query regarding the application of Howey’s test to Coinbase’s petition for clarification on digital asset classifications, towards the ongoing debate over applying the Howey Test to cryptocurrency transactions as a whole.

Coinbase Seeking For ‘Stylish’ Court Victory

In Coinbase’s recent petition to the court, they emphasized the potential significance of this interim appeal on the final result of their legal dispute with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The defense attorneys argued that a favorable decision could make over 70% of the SEC’s allegations against Coinbase inapplicable.

A statement from the petition read: 

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed that most of the SEC’s recent document requests and all of its admission requests, 10 third-party subpoenas, and 9 inspection requests have focused on Coinbase’s platform and Prime services, rather than the unrelated staking program. This suggests that the discovery process, motion practice, and potential trial will primarily revolve around the “ecosystems” of 12 distinct tokens. These claims, which could consume significant judicial and party resources, may be subject to interlocutory review and potentially eliminated from the case with careful legal maneuvering.

Coinbase Strengthens Case For Interlocutory Appeal In Latest Petition

On June 6, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brought allegations against Coinbase for functioning without the necessary licenses as a securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. Given Coinbase’s position as the leading US crypto exchange, the potential repercussions of this situation are anticipated by many to significantly impact regulations within the American crypto sector.

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2024-05-25 16:50