Coinbase CLO Criticizes SEC Settlement with Kwon, Terraform

As an analyst with a background in financial regulation and experience in the crypto industry, I share Paul Grewal’s concerns regarding the SEC’s settlement with Terraform Labs. The $4.47 billion settlement, while impressive in terms of its size, does not seem to provide practical solutions for victims who have lost significant funds due to Terraform’s fraudulent practices.


The Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase, Paul Grewal, has expressed his disapproval towards the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) $4.47 billion settlement with Do Kwon and the collapsed Terraform Labs.

As a concerned crypto investor, I’ve voiced my doubts about the effectiveness of the proposed settlement in addressing the real-life issues faced by Terraform’s affected investors.

Coinbase CLO Questions SEC Settlement with Kwon

Paul Grewal voiced concerns over the impact of the settlement on X (previously Twitter) and cast criticism upon the SEC for their handling of the case. He pointed out that, under the terms of the agreement, the SEC would be classified as an unsecured creditor during Terraform’s bankruptcy proceedings, while Kwon was required to forfeit merely $7 million of his assets.

As a researcher examining this situation, I’d rephrase it as follows: The announced settlement between the SEC and Kwon, along with Terraform Labs in bankruptcy, amounts to $4.7 billion. However, this agreement makes the SEC an unsecured creditor, meaning they are entitled to any remaining assets after priority claims are paid off. Moreover, Kwon is instructed to transfer only around $7 million of his current assets as part of the settlement. This arrangement appears insignificant in terms of addressing the substantial allegations against him.

— paulgrewal.eth (@iampaulgrewal) June 12, 2024

Additionally, Grewal asserts that this remedy falls short in fully reimbursing those who suffered financial losses due to Terraform’s deceitful activities.

Other notable figures in the cryptocurrency sector have echoed similar sentiments, adding to the ongoing debate. Ki Young Ju, the CEO of CryptoQuant, expressed skepticism over Terraform Labs’ ability to hold such vast funds for a settlement, casting doubt on the authenticity of their financial dealings. This viewpoint from Ki contributes to the widespread suspicion in the crypto community regarding Terraform Labs’ transparency and ethical conduct.

Terraform Labs to Pay $4.47B to Settle SEC Charges

Under the terms of the settlement, Terraform Labs is obligated to pay the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a total of $3.905 billion. This amount includes $3.58 billion in disgorgement and $420 million in civil penalties. The decision follows an April verdict by a jury, which found that Do Kwon and his team had misled investors regarding their cryptocurrency offerings.

As a researcher, I would describe it this way: In the ongoing case under my observation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York presided over by Judge Jed Rakoff, we have reached a pivotal moment with the filing of the proposed settlement terms.

Given that Terraform Labs supposedly possesses a substantial amount of approximately $4.47 billion, one might wonder why this capital isn’t being allocated towards providing reparations for the affected Terra community members instead of being transferred to a government agency.

Is this what ‘protecting investors’ is supposed to look like? If so, I’d like to opt out, thanks

— Zach Rynes | CLG (@ChainLinkGod) June 12, 2024

The crypto community and industry experts are expressing concern over the distribution of settlement funds in the Terra case. Zach Rynes, a representative from Chainlink, shares this sentiment, as he believes the funds should go directly to those impacted by the Terra collapse rather than being paid to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

As a researcher studying this topic, I’ve come across critiques that emphasize the importance of strengthening regulatory efforts to safeguard investors and recover misappropriated funds. This perspective is gaining traction in the ongoing discourse.

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2024-06-13 02:26