SEC Drops Ethereum (ETH) Investigation In Major Win For Crypto

As a researcher with a background in blockchain technology and securities law, I am thrilled to see that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has closed its investigation into Ethereum (ETH). This decision is a significant win for the crypto industry, as it provides much-needed clarity on the regulatory status of one of the most widely used cryptocurrencies.


The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced it will no longer pursue the classification of Ethereum (ETH) as a security, marking a significant victory for the cryptocurrency sector.

As a crypto investor, I’ve been closely following the developments regarding the potential approval of spot Ethereum ETFs. Recently, Consensys, a well-known blockchain technology firm, reached out to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for clarification on Ether’s classification in this process. After considering their request, the SEC made a decision.

SEC Closes Investigation Into Ethereum

As a crypto investor, I’m thrilled to share that Consensys recently announced some great news. They revealed that the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division has concluded its investigation into Ethereum 2.0. Consensys celebrated this development, describing it as a significant victory for our industry on their social media platform X.

“We’re thrilled to share some excellent news with the Ethereum community: the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided to drop its investigation into Ethereum 2.0. This announcement signifies that the SEC will not file charges against the sale of ETH as securities transactions.”

Consensys wrote to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 7th, inquiring if the potential approval of Ethereum spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) indicated that the SEC would cease its investigation into Ethereum 2.0. The prospective ETF approvals hinged upon Ethereum being classified as a commodity rather than a security. Consensys Senior Counsel, Laura Brookover, disclosed the SEC’s reaction to their inquiry. In this response, the SEC mentioned that they would not propose any enforcement actions. However, they have yet to make any public statement regarding the issue.

Lawsuit Against SEC

In April, Consensys initiated a legal action against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This step came after they received a Wells Notice from the commission, indicating potential securities law infringements involving MetaMask, Consensys’ crypto wallet. The company claimed that the SEC and its chairman, Gary Gensler, had regarded Ethereum (ETH) as a security since at least the beginning of 2023. Additionally, they alleged that an investigation into Ethereum 2.0 was sanctioned by Gurbir Grewal, the Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division, in March 2023.

As an analyst, I’d rephrase it this way: Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has yet to explicitly label Ethereum (ETH) as a security. Contrastingly, Rostin Behnam, the head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has identified ETH as a commodity. The legal battle between the SEC and ConsenSys over the classification of ETH is still unfolding in court.

As a dedicated researcher, I’d express it this way: “My team and I persist in our legal battle. In our court case, we’re asking for a ruling stating that providing MetaMask Swaps and Staking user interface software does not infringe upon securities regulations.”

As a researcher studying regulatory developments in the crypto space, I’ve come across the news that David Hirsch, who led the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Asset and Cyber Unit, has recently departed from the agency following his resignation.

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2024-06-19 15:10