Cryptocurrency regulations have been in the spotlight, with the focus intensifying on whether tokens qualify as securities or commodities. This pressing question lies at the core of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allegations against prominent crypto exchanges Binance and Coinbase, according to a recent Bernstein research report. Many industry experts are anxiously awaiting clarity on this matter after the SEC’s legal action against Ripple, as a probable judgement is expected later this year and could set the tone for the future of the crypto landscape.
The SEC recently announced lawsuits against both Binance and its founder and CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, as well as the operating company for Binance.US, citing alleged violations of federal securities laws. A similar lawsuit against Coinbase followed shortly. These developments created a rift in the crypto sphere, with several analysts labeling it as a “completely political debate between Republicans and Democrats.”
Some researchers, such as Gautam Chhugani and Manas Agrawal, believe that the end objective is to build a functional regulatory framework for digital commodities and payment stable coins, granting more control to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rather than the SEC itself. After the CFTC previously filed a lawsuit against Binance concerning misconduct tied to its offshore derivatives platform, it was anticipated that the SEC would follow suit, implying that most tokens are securities.
Despite the prevailing attitude that US regulatory actions are unfortunate, Bernstein maintains that they do not present an existential risk to the industry. It is believed that most of the capital that once supported the cryptocurrency market has already been withdrawn, with both Bitcoin and Ethereum experiencing price increases of around 3% after these legal proceedings.
While many crypto enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of these cases, the primary concern is deciphering the optimal regulatory framework for digital financial instruments such as stablecoins and cryptocurrency tokens. The classification of tokens as either securities or commodities will have significant implications for the future of cryptocurrency markets, exchanges, and regulations. With considerable attention on the forthcoming judgement for the Ripple case, the industry eagerly anticipates the ripple effect this decision may have on crypto assets in both the short and long term.
Source: Coindesk
