SEC Chairman Gary Gensler emphasized the publication of existing rules and guidelines during his recent keynote speech at the 27th annual Financial Markets Conference. Gensler refuted criticism that the SEC has not provided adequate guidance to crypto companies seeking compliance with federal law.
The SEC chairman gave a speech on regulatory issues
The conference, themed “Old Challenges in New Clothes,” gathered notable financial authorities, industry experts, and digital economy participants. The SEC chairman’s speech primarily focused on broader financial market issues.
However, the discussion turned to digital assets when moderator Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, inquired about the ongoing court case involving Coinbase and the SEC’s enforcement efforts in the crypto space.
While acknowledging the groundbreaking work of Satoshi Nakamoto and the innovation brought about by cryptocurrencies, Gensler rebutted claims that the SEC is lagging, citing the agency’s track record of initiating 140 cases in the past.
The SEC chairman warned against fraudulent business models prevalent in the industry, noting that many crypto companies are not truly decentralized but tend toward centralization with identifiable websites and entrepreneurial teams.
He further pointed out that some of these companies commingle customer funds, indicating potential malpractice.
Analysts criticize SEC’s regulatory process
The SEC has faced criticism from the cryptocurrency industry for its perceived lack of clear and innovative regulations. Gensler dismissed the notion that new technologies are incompatible with public policies, reiterating his stance from a previous congressional hearing.
Drawing parallels with traditional money markets, he emphasized the need for crypto companies that hold securities on their platforms to adhere to regulatory requirements, likening them to financial intermediaries such as rent-collecting nodes.
Gensler extended an offer of assistance to crypto firms struggling with compliance, stating that the SEC is prepared to support them in meeting regulatory standards.
However, critics, including SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, expressed skepticism about the agency’s outreach, highlighting the absence of a formal registration process with the SEC.
Republican lawmakers echoed similar sentiments, characterizing Gensler’s call for companies to “come in and register” as misleading due to the lack of an established registration framework.
While U.S. regulators, led by Gensler, maintain that the existing regulations are sufficient, the European Union has taken active steps to introduce a new set of rules for the crypto industry.
