SEC’s First Insider Trading Lawsuit Involving Crypto Currencies Highlights Firms’ Desire To Establish Jurisdiction In The Field
U.S. securities regulators recently announced indictments against the manager of top cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global and two of his employees in the first federal lawsuit alleging insider trading of cryptocurrencies. also highlighted the SEC’s decision to assert jurisdiction over cryptocurrencies and other digital assets that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers to be securities, hinting at potential disputes among regulators over the agency’s scope. .
The SEC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have filed civil and criminal lawsuits against Coinbase product manager Ishan Wahi, his brother Nikhil Wahi, and their friend Sameer Ramani. The complaint alleges that Ishan Wahi shared confidential information about Coinbase’s pending announcement of a new crypto asset that allows users to trade through exchanges with his brother and his Ramani.
According to the indictment, Nikhil Wahi and Ramani used an Ethereum blockchain wallet to buy and sell at least 25 crypto assets on at least 14 occasions prior to Coinbase’s announcement from June 2021 to April 2022. He reportedly made more than $1.1 million in profits.
The lawsuit comes just weeks after the Department of Justice accused of insider trading To employees of Opensea, a marketplace for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Like cryptocurrencies, NFTs are based on blockchain technology and are rapidly disrupting the financial sector, prompting calls for increased regulatory oversight.
For more information on cryptocurrency regulation, visit our full digital edition. Cryptos on the Rise of 2022 report here
The SEC said at least nine of the crypto assets involved were “securities,” attracting the attention of many lawyers, crypto law experts, advocates, and former and current Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) commissioners. It is a claim. He said the incident could have wide-ranging implications.
of SEC case announcementsaid Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division. In this case, these realities confirm that many of the crypto assets in question were securities. And, as alleged, defendants engaged in typical insider trading prior to listing on Coinbase. Rest assured, we will continue to ensure a level playing field for our investors regardless of the label attached to the securities involved. ”
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement:
DOJ said The Wahhi brothers are arrested in Seattle, but Ramani is on the run. Prosecutors also said Ishan Wahhi purchased a one-way ticket to India after Coinbase’s security chief summoned him to the company’s Seattle office for a meeting. Prosecutors said he was barred from boarding his May 16 flight.
coinbase reaction
The SEC official said the investigation was ongoing and declined to say whether it would counter Coinbase itself for listing tokens it deemed securities in the complaint. We treated the information as confidential and warned our employees not to trade on it or pass it on to others,” the SEC said.
Philip Martin, the company’s chief security officer, said Coinbase has shared the results of its internal investigation into the transaction with prosecutors. “We are committed to doing our part to ensure that all market participants have access to the same information,” Martin wrote on Twitter.
Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal disputed the SEC’s claim that the relevant vehicle is a security. “Coinbase does not list any securities. period,” Grewal wrote on Twitter. “We have cooperated with both the DOJ and the SEC regarding this investigation,” he said. “The Justice Department considered the same facts and chose not to file securities fraud charges against those involved.” (Coinbase CLO Grewal does not appear to be related to his Grewal at the SEC.)
Ishan Wahi’s attorney, Andrew St. Laurent, declined to comment. A lawyer for Nikhil Wahi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ramani’s attorney could not be identified.
“Regulation by Enforcement” and Potential Territorial Warfare
In a rare criticism of another federal regulator, CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham, issued a statement It suggests that the SEC was setting policy “in the dark” and without accountability. “Case SEC vs Wahi It’s a striking example of ‘regulation by coercion,'” Pham said. “The SEC complaint alleges that dozens of digital assets are securities, including what can be described as utility tokens and/or certain tokens associated with decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).”
She said the lawsuit could have “broader implications” and stressed the importance of regulatory cooperation. “Key issues are best addressed through notification and comment rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act and through a transparent process that engages the public to incorporate expert opinion and develop appropriate policies.” She said, “Regulatory clarity comes from being in the open, not in the dark.”
The CFTC makes its own claims about the nature of cryptocurrencies, calling them: Product therefore subject to its own jurisdiction. A federal jury ruling in Boston in late July provided legal support for that view. The founder of a bankrupt cryptocurrency business has been found guilty of fraud over false claims that the cryptocurrency is backed by his $300 million in gold. A jury convicted Randall Crater, 51, of committing wire fraud and conducting illegal financial transactions. His CFTC lawsuit against Crater and his failed Nevada-based company, My Big Coin Inc., is the first to say that cryptocurrencies could be considered commodities within his CFTC jurisdiction. led to one of his court rulings.
Former CFTC Commissioner Brian Quintenz said the SEC Wahi Case: “Regulation by enforcement, intimidation, leverage, PR, or any other means beyond the APA (Administrative Procedure Act) rulemaking process is totally inappropriate,” Quintents said on Twitter.
[View source.]
