Regulation
SEC to Close Office Involved in Failed DEBT Box Crypto Lawsuit
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will close one of its eleven regional offices after a federal judge ordered the regulator to pay roughly $1.8 million in attorney and receivership fees.
In a June 4 notice, the SEC announced it would shut down its Salt Lake Regional Office in 2024. This closure is attributed to significant attrition at the office, and operations will be shifted to Denver. This decision follows Judge Robert Shelby’s dismissal of the SEC’s civil lawsuit against Digital Licensing, operating as DEBT Box, and an order requiring the SEC to pay substantial fees.
DEBT Box Lawsuit Prompts SEC Office Closure
Judge Shelby dismissed the SEC’s lawsuit against DEBT Box, which alleged the firm perpetrated an illegal $50 million crypto scheme. In March, the judge found the SEC had engaged in bad faith conduct over a temporary restraining order to freeze DEBT Box’s assets. Consequently, the judge ordered sanctions against the SEC, requiring the regulator to cover all attorney fees and costs arising from the improvidently entered ex parte relief.
The order mandated the SEC to pay approximately $1 million for attorney fees and costs and $750,000 for receiver fees and expenses. This financial penalty has significantly influenced the decision to close the Salt Lake Regional Office. The office’s responsibilities will be transferred to the SEC’s Denver office, ensuring ongoing regulatory work continues without interruption.
The SEC’s Salt Lake Regional Office has experienced significant attrition, contributing to its closure. Two SEC lawyers from this office resigned, reportedly due to the handling of the DEBT Box case. Their departure may have influenced the attrition that the SEC cited in its decision to shut down the office.
The commission has not commented on whether these resignations directly impacted the decision. However, the timing suggests a possible correlation. The closure announcement has raised questions about the SEC’s internal challenges, especially in managing high-profile cases involving cryptocurrency firms.
Terraform Labs Reaches Settlement with SEC
This development comes as the SEC pursues enforcement actions against several cryptocurrency firms, including Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, and Ripple (XRP). The agency’s aggressive stance on crypto regulation has led to numerous legal battles, some of which have ended unfavorably for the SEC.
In May, lawyers for Terraform Labs and its co-founder Do Kwon announced they had reached an in-principle settlement with the SEC. These legal engagements highlight the SEC’s ongoing efforts to regulate the crypto market despite facing setbacks such as the DEBT Box case.
Paul Grewal, Coinbase’s chief legal officer, commented on the SEC’s actions in a June 4 X post, suggesting the term “attrition” might downplay the significance of the SEC’s conduct in the DEBT Box case. The SEC’s approach to crypto regulation remains a contentious issue within the industry.
Also Read: MiCA Regulations: Tether CEO Criticizes Bank Deposit Requirement for Stablecoins
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.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formally acknowledged the filing for Fidelity’s spot Solana (SOL) Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF).
This marks a key development in the financial industry, as Fidelity seeks to list its Solana ETF on the Cboe BZX Exchange. The acknowledgment comes after Fidelity submitted a proposed rule change, paving the way for the potential approval of the product.
Fidelity’s Spot Solana ETF Proposal
The SEC’s acknowledgment follows Fidelity’s filing to list and trade shares of the Fidelity Solana Fund under the Cboe BZX Exchange. The proposed rule change, initially submitted on March 25, was later amended on April 1, 2025, to clarify certain points and add additional details.
The amended proposal aims to list the Solana ETF under BZX Rule, which pertains to commodity-based trust shares. According to the Cboe BZX Exchange, Fidelity plans to register the shares with the SEC through a registration statement on Form S-1.
Fidelity’s experience with crypto ETFs, having launched the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) and the Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH), has prepared it for this new initiative. FBTC has drawn substantial interest, accumulating nearly $17 billion in assets, while FETH currently manages around $975 million.
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.
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has voted to approve Paul Atkins’ nomination for the role of Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The vote, which took place on Thursday, passed with a narrow margin of 13-11, along party lines.
Paul Atkins, nominated by President Donald Trump, now moves one step closer to taking over the top regulatory position at the US SEC.
Senate Banking Committee Approves Paul Atkins Nomination
Paul Atkins’ nomination for SEC Chair has received approval despite sharp opposition from Democratic members of the Senate Banking Committee. The vote was entirely split, with Republicans supporting Atkins and all Democrats opposing the decision.
This partisan divide highlights the contentious nature of Atkins’ confirmation, which had been under scrutiny for several reasons.
The committee’s approval now clears the path for Atkins to proceed to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote. Given the Republican-controlled Senate, it is widely expected that Atkins will secure the necessary votes to take over the SEC leadership. With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate, the confirmation process is anticipated to move forward swiftly.
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.
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has obtained a Restricted Dealer registration in Canada. The registration comes after completing a pre-registration undertaking (PRU) process with Canadian authorities.
The exchange has also announced the appointment of Cynthia Del Pozo as its new General Manager for North America. Del Pozo will oversee Kraken’s growth initiatives in Canada.
Kraken Completes PRU Process In Canada
Kraken’s Restricted Dealer registration marks the completion of a thorough pre-registration undertaking (PRU) process with Canadian regulators. The registration places Kraken under the supervision of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). This oversight ensures users have access to secure crypto products within a properly regulated local ecosystem.
According to the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the Restricted Dealer registration is one of eight firm registration types in Canada. This particular classification is used for firms that “do not quite fit under any other category.” It also comes with specific requirements and conditions set by securities regulators.
Kraken’s regulatory achievement comes during a period of change in the Canadian crypto sector. Just months earlier, competitor Gemini exchange announced its departure from the Canadian exchange market by the end of 2024. This was a move that surprised many and raised questions about cryptocurrency regulation clarity in the country.
Kraken Introduces New Canadian GM
Del Pozo has joined Kraken to lead its Canadian operations as the new General Manager for North America. She has nearly 15 years of experience in corporate development, operations, and fintech consulting. Del Pozo will help to guide Kraken’s expansion across Canada during this important phase of crypto’s development in the region.
“Canada is at a turning point for crypto adoption, with a growing number of investors and institutions recognizing digital assets as a vital part of the financial future. I’m thrilled to join Kraken’s mission at this critical moment, and to lead our expansion efforts, ensuring we continue to serve our clients long-term with innovative and compliant products,” said Del Pozo.
In her role, Del Pozo will focus on strengthening Kraken’s regulatory relationships and also scaling the company’s presence throughout North America.
Del Pozo also commented on the registration achievement: “This Restricted Dealer registration is testament to the high bar Kraken has always set for consumer protection, client service, and robust security. We’re excited to continue expanding our world-class investment platform and to deliver innovative products that provide real-world utility to Canadians.”
The Exchange’s Continued Growth In Canada
Over the past two years, the cryptocurrency exchange has shown steady expansion in Canada while working through the PRU process with regulators. During this period, the exchange has doubled its team size and monthly active users.
According to the official blog post figures, the firm now has more than $2 billion CAD in total client assets under custody. Kraken has also increased support for some of the most popular cryptocurrencies. It provides several CAD spot trading pairs that enable Canadians to trade crypto without paying expensive foreign exchange fees.
According to Innovative Research Group’s 2024 Investor Survey, 30% of Canadian investors currently own or have owned cryptocurrencies. Likewise, a KPMG Canada survey discovered that 30% of Canadian institutional investors now have exposure to cryptocurrencies, which means widespread adoption across investor types.
Vignesh
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.
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