Regulation
Pro XRP Lawyer John Deaton Calls for Gary Gensler’s Resignation
John Deaton, a pro-XRP lawyer, has called for the resignation of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. This demand comes amid legal squabbles and criticisms of the SEC’s approach to cryptocurrencies’ regulation and enforcement.
John Deaton Advocates for SEC Leadership Change
Following a ruling where the SEC was penalized $1. 75 million for misleading conduct in the Debt Box case, Pro XRP Lawyer John Deaton has begun to rally for the resignation of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. Moreover, because of the SEC’s overreach, Deaton has taken part in amicus curiae in major cases against firms like Ripple, LBRY, and Coinbase.
He argues that the SEC, under the leadership of Gensler, has used strategies that are financially damaging to the companies that it investigates, especially criticizing how the agency handled the LBRY case.
Deaton also mentioned that SEC representatives publicly declared their goal to bring LBRY to its knees via legal fees and this revelation has sparked outrage among the members of the crypto community.
I am very proud of the fact that I was one of the very first people to battle @GaryGensler’s @SECGov, serving as amici curiae in the @Ripple, @LBRYcom and @coinbase cases. I sued the SEC on January 1, 2021 and for more than three years I argued lawyers at the SEC were… https://t.co/ssOgWzgGuK
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) May 28, 2024
Furthermore, John Deaton has pointed out that the SEC has been similarly harassing Ripple executives Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen, which he stated shows the bad faith of the SEC under the current leadership. This aggressive regulatory posture has led Deaton and others to demand an accounting and change within the agency.
Why Call for a SEC Chair Change?
The debate is mainly centered on how the SEC approaches and implements the securities laws to the digital asset market. The SEC has brought several enforcement actions to claim that specific digital assets are securities and thus are regulated by the commission. This approach has resulted in litigations with consequences to the legal framework governing the crypto markets.
Besides the Debt Box case, the actions by the SEC in its confrontation with other crypto organizations have not been friendly. For instance, Ripple Labs has been involved in a legal battle over the classification of its XRP token as a security. Critics, including Deaton, have accused the SEC of being unpredictable and overbearing in its regulation of the sector, which they have claimed could harm the development of the emerging industry of digital assets.
John Deaton’s frustration is evident in his calls for accountability at the highest levels of the SEC, urging figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Sherrod Brown to take action.
During this time, Chris Giancarlo, the former Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has been recommended by Deaton for SEC chair to create a more innovation-oriented regulatory system. This change can be traced back to Giancarlo’s period at the CFTC as he was more amenable to cryptocurrency advancements than Gensler is today at the SEC.
Read Also: El Salvador and Cathie Wood To Boost Capital Markets Using Bitcoin
The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
Cryptocurrency investors in Japan are bracing for impact following a plan to reclassify digital assets as financial products. While the plan has elicited excitement from cryptocurrency enthusiasts in the Far East, the ambitious plan will have to scale several legislative hurdles.
Japan Targets Reclassification Of Cryptocurrencies As Financial Products
According to a report by Nikkei, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is inching toward classifying cryptocurrencies as financial products. Per the report, the FSA intends to achieve the reclassification via an amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
Currently, digital assets in Japan are considered crypto assets conferred with property rights and seen as payment means. Under the FSA’s plans, cryptocurrencies in Japan will be treated as financial products in the same manner as traditional financial products.
The FSA says it will adopt a slow and steady approach toward the reclassification, carrying out “a private expert study group” to test the waters. If everything goes according to plan, the FSA will submit the amended bill to Parliament in early 2026.
The classification of cryptocurrencies as financial products will have far-reaching consequences for the local ecosystem. Experts say treating cryptocurrencies as financial products will bring Japan closer to a crypto ETF launch amid a changing regulatory landscape.
Furthermore, the move may lower current cryptocurrency taxation for local investors since existing capital market rules will apply to the asset class.
A Fresh Bill For Crypto Insider Trading Is Underway
Apart from the reclassification, the FSA disclosed plans for new legislation against insider trading. The move flows treating cryptocurrencies as financial products and will strengthen existing investor protection rules.
“It is a direction to establish a new insider trading regulation that prohibits trading based on unpublished internal information,” said the FSA. “We will develop laws to prevent unfair transactions.”
However, Japan’s cryptocurrency scene is heating up to a boil, driven by local and international players. Last week, stablecoin issuer Circle secured approval from the FSA for USDC with top exchanges set to list the stablecoin.
Japan’s Metaplanet has tapped Eric Trump to join its Strategic Board of Advisors as it continues to load up Bitcoin.
Aliyu Pokima
Aliyu Pokima is a seasoned cryptocurrency and emerging technologies journalist with a knack for covering needle-moving stories in the space. Aliyu delivers breaking news stories, regulatory updates, and insightful analysis with depth and precision. When he’s not poring over charts or following leads, Aliyu enjoys playing the bass guitar, lifting weights and running marathons.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
In what is being dubbed a major development in the crypto regulation space, the Governor of the US state of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, has signed the ‘Bitcoin Rights’ bill into law. The law promises to safeguard protections for Bitcoin (BTC) users.
Bitcoin Rights Bill Comes Into Effect
Crypto regulations continue to evolve under pro-crypto US President Donald Trump’s administration. In the latest development, Kentucky has become the newest state to enshrine protections for digital asset users.
In an X post published on March 24, crypto advocacy group Satoshi Action Fund announced that Governor Beshear had signed the much-anticipated Bitcoin Rights bill into law. The post stated:
The right to self-custody, run a node, and use of digital assets is now protected for millions of Americans without fear of discrimination.
The bill was first introduced to the Kentucky House by Rep. Adam Bowling on February 19. According to the bill’s description, it seeks to safeguard users’ rights to use digital assets and self-custody wallets. Additionally, it aims to prohibit local zoning changes that discriminate against crypto mining operations.
The legislation outlines guidelines for running a digital asset node and excludes digital asset mining from money transmitter license requirements. It also clarifies that crypto mining or staking is not considered an offer or sale of securities.
On February 28, the bill passed Kentucky’s House of Representatives with a unanimous vote of all 91 representatives in favor. It later passed the Kentucky Senate on March 13, receiving backing from all 37 senators.
Kentucky’s proactive stance toward cryptocurrencies isn’t new. Earlier this year, the state became the 16th US state to introduce legislation seeking to create a Bitcoin strategic reserve.
Meanwhile, neighboring state Arizona is also joining the crypto movement. A recent X post by Bitcoin Laws revealed that Arizona’s House Rules Committee has passed two Bitcoin reserve bills — SB1373 and SB1025. These bills will now head to a full floor vote.
Renewed Optimism Under Trump Administration
Following Trump’s victory in the November presidential election, cryptocurrency regulations in the US are evolving rapidly, with many states introducing legislation aimed at strengthening their digital asset ecosystems and attracting crypto businesses.
Positive changes in crypto regulations are encouraging industry businesses to expand. For instance, leading crypto trading platform Coinbase recently announced plans to hire 1,000 employees in the US.
The Trump administration has also witnessed several lawsuits being dropped against major crypto entities, including Kraken, Coinbase, Gemini, and others. At press time, Bitcoin trades at $87,399, down 0.2% in the past 24 hours.
Featured Image from Unsplash.com, chart from TradingView.com
Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
Hawk Tuah girl Hailey Welch, known for her association with the controversial $HAWK token, has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC has decided not to press charges against Welch in connection with the rapid rise and subsequent collapse of the meme-based cryptocurrency.
US SEC Investigation Into Hawk Tuah Girl Concludes Without Charges
The SEC had launched an investigation into the $HAWK token after its dramatic price drop. The token, which was linked to Welch’s viral persona, initially saw a market cap surge to $490 million before crashing by over 90%. Investors who were impacted by the crash filed a lawsuit against those behind the project, alleging that the coin had been promoted and sold without proper registration.
Hawk Tuah girl Hailey Welch, who cooperated fully with the investigation, expressed relief after the SEC’s decision. “For the past few months, I’ve been cooperating with all the authorities and attorneys, and finally, that work is complete,” Welch told TMZ.
Her attorney, James Sallah, confirmed that the SEC had closed the case without any findings against her, adding that there would be no monetary sanctions or restrictions on Welch’s future involvement in cryptocurrency or securities.
This Is A Developing News, Please Check Back For More
Kelvin Munene Murithi
Kelvin is a distinguished writer with expertise in crypto and finance, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science. Known for his incisive analysis and insightful content, he possesses a strong command of English and excels in conducting thorough research and delivering timely cryptocurrency market updates.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
3 Altcoins to Watch in the First Week of April 2025
BTC Price Rebound Likely as Long-Term Holders Reenter Market
Ethereum To $20K? Investor Says Real-World Adoption Is The Key
$33 Million Inflows Signal Market Bounce
Top Crypto Airdrops to Watch in the First Week of April
Strategic Move for Trump Family in Crypto
2.52 Million Altcoins Are Ruining Crypto’s Future
Animoca Brands Valuation Tanks 75% In Two Years, Here’s Why
Crypto exchange BingX hacked for $43 million
Are The Big Players Losing Interest?
Hong Kong’s Securities Association Tips Authorities On Crypto Self-Regulation
Coinbase cbBTC Set to go Live on Solana
2.52 Million Altcoins Are Ruining Crypto’s Future
Animoca Brands Valuation Tanks 75% In Two Years, Here’s Why
Crypto exchange BingX hacked for $43 million
Are The Big Players Losing Interest?
Hong Kong’s Securities Association Tips Authorities On Crypto Self-Regulation
Coinbase cbBTC Set to go Live on Solana
-
Regulation21 hours ago
Japan Set To Classify Cryptocurrencies As Financial Products, Here’s All
-
Market24 hours ago3 Token Unlocks for April: Parcl, deBridge, Scroll
-
Market21 hours agoTop 3 Made in USA Coins to Watch This Week
-
Market20 hours agoSolana (SOL) Price Risks Dip Below $110 as Bears Gain Control
-
Altcoin14 hours agoCardano Price Eyes Massive Pump In May Following Cyclical Patern From 2024
✓ Share: