The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing legal action against altcoins, including Solana (SOL), which it claims were sold as unregistered securities.
This development comes after speculation earlier this year that the SEC might soften its stance on such cryptocurrencies. However, in an amended lawsuit filed against Binance this week, the regulator maintained its argument that exchanges like Binance violated U.S. securities laws by allowing the trading of tokens such as SOL.
The SEC’s amended complaint avoids labeling tokens as “crypto asset securities,” a term that had been previously criticized. Despite this adjustment, the agency doubled down on its accusations, particularly with respect to Solana.
The SEC claims that statements made by the Solana Foundation encouraged investors to view SOL as an opportunity to profit from the foundation’s efforts to grow the Solana ecosystem. These claims align with the SEC’s long-standing view that securities are investments in which profits come primarily from the efforts of others.
The SEC’s renewed focus on altcoins follows a summer in which the regulator hinted it might scale back its case against Binance, a move that some legal experts viewed as a potential retreat.
At the time, some observers interpreted this as the SEC narrowing its case to focus on fewer cryptocurrencies, such as Solana, Cardano, and Polygon. However, recent developments suggest that the SEC is continuing its legal battle on a broad front, even though it stopped short of labeling the tokens themselves as securities.
The lawsuit against Binance, which was first filed in June 2023, accuses the exchange of operating as an unregistered broker and exchange. The SEC seeks to prevent Binance from continuing these activities without proper registration and demands the disgorgement of profits it claims were illegally obtained.
This being said, the SEC’s actions have drawn major attention, especially as the regulatory agency’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation has become a key issue in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Prominent figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, have pledged to address the regulatory uncertainty surrounding the crypto industry.
Additionally, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has been vocal in criticizing SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s approach, accusing him of pushing innovation overseas.
With the legal battles continuing, the outcome of the SEC’s case against Binance and the broader crypto industry remains uncertain. However, the Commission’s current actions indicate that it remains determined to regulate the trading of crypto assets under its jurisdiction.
