SEC ‘Eased up on’ 60% of Crypto Enforcement Cases under Trump: NYT
Under the Trump administration, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dropped or paused about 60% of cryptocurrency-related cases—far more than for other securities law matters. Notable dismissals and paused investigations include cases involving Ripple Labs and Binance. The SEC claims these decisions are based on legal and policy grounds rather than political favoritism, and there is no evidence of direct pressure from President Trump. Meanwhile, Trump and his family have increased their involvement in the cryptocurrency industry with projects such as World Liberty Financial, a Trump-themed memecoin, and a Bitcoin mining venture led by his sons. The SEC’s last Democratic commissioner, Caroline Crenshaw, is set to leave in early 2024, leaving the agency without Democratic leadership. Crenshaw has publicly criticized the SEC’s more lenient approach to crypto regulation, warning that it could increase risks of market contagion. No announcements have been made regarding her replacement or that of the other vacant Democratic seat.
