Digital Asset Law News

Chair Atkins Describes the SEC Approach to Digital Assets November 14, 2025 On November 12, 2025, SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins delivered a speech at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, detailing the agency’s strategy for digital assets under “Project Crypto.” Atkins highlighted that Project Crypto extends the foundational efforts of Commissioner Hester Peirce, whose […]

Crypto Task Force Remarks of SEC Chair Atkins June 9, 2025 SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins, in a speech titled “DeFi and the American Spirit,” linked DeFi to values like economic liberty and innovation, praising blockchains for enabling peer-to-peer crypto ownership. He criticized past discouragement of participation, welcomed recent clarifications on staking not being securities,

SEC Issues Protocol Staking Activity Statement May 30, 2025 The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Corporation Finance issued a statement on May 29, 2025, clarifying the application of federal securities laws to specific crypto asset staking activities on proof-of-stake (PoS) networks. Summary of the SEC Division of Corporation Finance’s Statement on Certain

CFTC Awards 700 Thousand Dollars to Whistleblower May 29, 2025 On May 29, 2025, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced a whistleblower award of approximately $700,000 to a single whistleblower, underscoring the critical role of whistleblowers in enforcing regulations within commodity markets, including emerging areas like digital assets. Whistleblower Program Background The CFTC Whistleblower

Commissioner Peirce on SEC Crypto FAQs May 15, 2025 On May 15, 2025, SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce commented on the Division of Trading and Markets’ newly issued FAQs addressing digital assets. The FAQs clarify the application of financial responsibility rules, such as Rule 15c3-3, noting that non-security crypto assets held by broker-dealers are exempt

SEC Awards 6 Million to Joint Whistleblowers April 22, 2025 On April 21, 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a significant award of approximately $6 million to joint whistleblowers, highlighting the critical role these individuals play in enforcing securities laws. This award, detailed in a recent SEC Press Release and SEC Order

CFTC Ends 2 Crypto Advisories Home CFTC Ends 2 Crypto Advisories March 28, 2025 On March 28, 2025, the CFTC withdrew two key advisories: CFTC Staff Advisory No. 18-14, issued on May 21, 2018, titled “Advisory with Respect to Virtual Currency Derivative Product Listings,” and CFTC Staff Advisory No. 23-07, issued on May 30, 2023,

SEC grants 2 Whistleblower Awards Despite Missed Deadline Home SEC grants 2 Whistleblower Awards Despite Missed Deadline March 24, 2025 The SEC Whistleblower Program, established in 2010, encourages reporting of securities law violations, including cryptocurrency fraud, by offering awards up to 30% of collected sanctions. A March 24, 2025, whistleblower award proceeding (Release No. 102717)

2 Million Reasons the CFTC Targeted Debiex Home 2 Million Reasons the CFTC Targeted Debiex March 22, 2025 The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) recently secured a significant victory against Debiex, a fraudulent digital asset platform. On March 13, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona issued a default judgment, holding Debiex

Trump Executive Order Launches Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile Home Trump Executive Order Launches Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile March 7, 2025 On March 6, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a groundbreaking executive order titled “Establishment of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and United States Digital Asset Stockpile,” marking a pivotal