Top Lawyers Uncover US SEC Litigation Tactic In Binance Lawsuit

As a seasoned crypto investor with a few gray hairs to show for it, I’ve seen my fair share of regulatory twists and turns. The recent Binance lawsuit and the SEC’s decision to amend its complaint against the exchange has left me scratching my head.


Binance Lawsuit: The SEC’s latest move in its lawsuit against the cryptocurrency exchange has ignited discussions among legal experts. By amending its original complaint, specifically concerning certain digital tokens, doubts have arisen regarding the SEC’s approach to crypto regulations. Insights from Ripple‘s General Counsel and Jake Chervinsky of Variant Fund provide valuable perspectives on this legal shift.

Binance Lawsuit: Ripple & Variant Execs Slam SEC

In the ongoing Binance legal case with the SEC, the SEC’s recent modification to remove the classification of tokens such as SOL, ADA, and Polygon as securities has generated notice. Ripple’s General Counsel Stuart Alderoty remarked that this change leaves these tokens exposed in other potential lawsuits.

1. Apart from his criticism, he pointed out the SEC’s unpredictable regulatory strategy towards tokens, stating that it’s contradictory for the agency to ignore these assets in some instances and pursue them in others. Meanwhile, Jake Chervinsky, General Counsel at Variant Fund, shared similar concerns.

1. He suggested that the SEC’s refusal to pursue discovery on multiple tokens within the exchange case might be a strategic litigation move instead of an actual policy change. In contrast, Chervinsky stressed that the SEC continues to classify these tokens as securities in different legal situations.

Significantly, this contradiction underscores the Securities and Exchange Commission’s tactical approach to lawsuits, often choosing to focus on broader regulatory aims rather than swift judgments on specific tokens. Some observers even pondered about the SEC’s intentions in limiting its case against a leading cryptocurrency trading platform.

I acknowledge their proposition that the agency could aim for a summary judgment ruling in favor of its regulatory control over centralized exchanges. In response, I concur with this suggestion since it would strengthen the SEC’s authority over secondary markets and provide a solid foundation for implementing its enforcement tactics.

Potential Impact Of SEC’s Tactics

1. Former SEC attorney, Marc Fagel, countered Chervinsky’s remarks regarding the Binance lawsuit, expressing doubts about the idea that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is disregarding accusations against the tokens. Instead, he emphasized that the SEC is simply modifying its legal claim, thereby preserving the potential for further actions in the future.

1. This viewpoint emphasizes the ambiguity about the specific aims of the SEC regarding their lawsuit with Binance. In relation to recent updates on the legal action against Binance, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has chosen to modify its initial complaint. Submitted in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, this amendment intends to exclude any third-party cryptocurrency asset securities from the current case at hand.

Following the previous decision of the court, which classified BNB as non-security and excluded BUSD secondary transactions from being considered securities, this action ensues. The suggested plan for revised pleadings proposes a timeframe of thirty days for filing and responding to motions.

1. This temporary relief seems to favor tokens such as Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Polygon (MATIC), initially suspected of wrongdoing. Yet, other tokens including Filecoin (FIL), Cosmos (ATOM), Sandbox (SAND), Decentraland (MANA), Algorand (ALGO), Axie Infinity (AXS), and COTI continue to face examination.

The SEC’s move in the Binance case demonstrates its complex stance on cryptocurrency regulation. By concentrating on specific aspects of the case, the SEC intends to fortify its overall regulatory structure. As this legal battle progresses, the crypto community will keep a close eye on how these maneuvers play out and influence the larger market.

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2024-07-30 19:54