A recent court filing from Binance denotes a power struggle between the cryptocurrency exchange and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Binance is petitioning for a protective order against what it describes as a ‘fishing expedition’ by the SEC. The Binance team believes the regulator has exceeded its remit by demanding extensive communications dating back to November 2022.
While the SEC remains adamant that the authority granted to them under the Consent Order enables unrestricted examination of Binance‘s asset custody practices, Binance holds a different view. They argue that the SEC’s demands on subjects, many of which do not concern customer assets, are overly broad and not related to the focused issue at hand.
Additionally, Binance took issue with the SEC’s requirement for the exchange to make six of its employees and officers, including CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, available for depositions. The exchange asserts that these senior individuals do not possess unique firsthand knowledge concerning the security and transfer of customer assets and that the employees who do are already available for depositions.
This move by Binance can be viewed in two lights – as a necessary step to maintain business confidentiality and protect against excessive regulatory scrutiny or as a potential obstruction to a regulator seeking to fulfil its mandate to ensure the soundness of markets and protect investors.
In contrast, the SEC’s actions can either be regarded as its right and obligation, being the regulatory body accountable for the safety and protection of investor’s funds, or as too intrusive, possibly stifling the innovative aspects of blockchain technology and the potential benefits of cryptocurrencies.
In this evolving saga between Binance and the SEC, a careful balance must be struck. It will require a mutual understanding and collaboration between regulators and crypto organizations to define clear boundaries and procedures that protect customer assets without stifling the innovation that blockchain promises. The resolution of this case could have far-reaching impacts on how cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are regulated in the future.
Source: Cointelegraph
