問題仍然是:這種轉變對美國加密貨幣監管的未來意味着什麼? 加里·詹斯勒 (Gary Gensler) 在 SEC 的經歷可謂動盪不安,尤其是在加密貨幣社區看來。從一開始,Gensler 及其對加密貨幣的強硬立場就發起了一系列針對包括BinanceCoinbase 在內的知名加密貨幣公司的執法行動,指控它們違反證券法。 他的行動不僅限於監管通知。隨之而來的是數十億美元的罰款和訴訟,即使是加密貨幣社區最喜愛的特斯拉首席執行官埃隆·馬斯克(Elon Musk)等人也是如此。可以肯定地說,社區中沒有人對他的離開感到難過。 衆議院甚至表示,他的領導使 SEC 成爲“流氓機構”。 當被問及#eth是證券還是商品時,加里·詹斯勒 (Gary GENSLER) 簡直KIN,並拒絕回答這個問題pic.twitter.com/GD9lg6cOaT Gensler 的離開:對加密貨幣“格林奇”的痛苦告別
However, Gensler’s resignation doesn’t come solely due to pressure from the crypto industry. While President-elect Trump had promised to fire Gensler on “day one,” he lacked the authority to do so. Gensler’s five-year term runs until 2026.
However, it is customary for SEC chairs to resign with a change in administration. His departure has been framed as part of the broader political dynamics surrounding the incoming pro-crypto Trump administration.
In a statement announcing his resignation, Gensler defended his record, emphasizing the SEC’s mission to enforce laws and hold wrongdoers accountable. Yet, many in the crypto sector will remember Gensler’s tenure for its focus on enforcement rather than regulatory clarity.
The SEC’s regulatory approach under Gensler led to significant friction with the cryptocurrency community. Just months ago, Crypto.com took legal action against the SEC.
Today, https://t.co/pFc4Pz9nFR filed suit against the SEC to protect the future of crypto in the U.S.: https://t.co/kXxyhF7zFe
— Kris | Crypto.com (@kris) October 8, 2024
The company, along with others such as Robinhood and Uniswap, accused the SEC of overreaching in its enforcement of unregistered securities laws. Some argued that the agency’s broad application of securities laws to digital assets lacks proper authority.
Advocacy groups and state officials alike have also expressed their frustration with what they saw as an undiplomatic regulatory regime. A group of 18 state attorneys general, including Kentucky, Florida, and Texas, filed a lawsuit against the SEC, accusing the agency of unconstitutional overreach.
These attorneys general argue that the SEC’s aggressive stance on crypto infringes upon states’ rights to regulate their own economies, disrupting an industry that has been rapidly growing in both influence and value.
At the heart of this dispute is Gensler’s insistence that most cryptocurrencies, aside from Bitcoin and Ethereum, qualify as securities. His stance has created a murky regulatory environment for businesses operating in the space.
The lawsuit challenges the SEC’s expansive interpretation of its jurisdiction and argues that the agency’s enforcement actions are harming the very citizens they purport to protect.
With Gensler’s resignation, all eyes turn to Paul Atkins, Trump’s selection to take the helm of the SEC. Atkins, a former SEC commissioner under President George W. Bush, is seen as a stark contrast to Gensler. He is known for his pro-market and pro-innovation stance, and his appointment has been welcomed by many in the crypto industry.
Atkins has long been an advocate for deregulation in certain sectors, and industry leaders see his understanding of crypto as an asset. Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple Labs, and Cameron Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini, both praised Atkins’ appointment, as they believe the pro-crypto lawyer is the best choice to lead the financial industry forward.
“We’ll see an SEC that has clearly different priorities than that of the Gensler SEC,” said Alison Mangiero, executive director of the Proof of Stake Alliance, in an interview with The Block.
Atkins is expected to take a more hands-off approach to regulation, focusing on fraud and ensuring investor protection without overburdening the industry with excessive red tape.
For many in the crypto sector, this means fewer enforcement actions against companies not involved in fraudulent activities and a shift away from the type of “novel cases” that Gensler’s SEC pursued, often to establish legal precedents.
One key area where change could be immediate is in the approval of crypto-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Under Gensler, the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs but held back on other digital assets, including Solana and XRP.
With Atkins at the helm, there is speculation that the SEC could approve additional crypto ETFs or revisit the issue of staking in ETFs.
Atkins’ confirmation could mark the beginning of a new regulatory era for the crypto industry, one that emphasizes clarity over enforcement. However, it is still uncertain how the SEC will handle some of the ongoing rulemaking processes, such as Regulation ATS, which could require decentralized projects to register with the agency.
The new leadership at the SEC will have to balance the need for investor protection with the desire to foster innovation.
In the meantime, crypto companies are bracing for the final months of Gensler’s tenure. If you are asking whether the regulatory landscape will change, the answer is yes. But if you’re asking when it will, your guess is as good as ours.
The community insists Atkins will help the industry adopt a more sensible approach that encourages development and investment without overregulating.
As Gensler prepares to leave the SEC and Trump’s administration succeeds “lukewarm on crypto matters” Biden, the crypto sector looks toward a future that, for the first time in years, seems more favorable for financial innovation.