In a year marked by speculation on a Bitcoin spot ETF approval, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) declared 2023 a “highly productive and impactful year” in cryptocurrency enforcement. The SEC’s report highlights a significant increase in crypto-related actions, showcasing a heightened focus on regulating the industry.
SEC enforcement division director, Gurbir S. Grewal, emphasized the agency’s commitment to investor protection and market trust. “Using all the tools in our toolkit,” Grewal stated, “the Enforcement Division stood up for the investing public, returning nearly a billion dollars to harmed investors.”
Throughout the year, the SEC initiated over two dozen enforcement actions related to crypto assets and digital securities, a notable surge compared to previous years. SEC Chair Gary Gensler positioned the agency as “a cop on the beat,” relentlessly pursuing wrongdoers and holding them accountable.
Major figures in the crypto space faced charges, including FTX founder Samuel Bankman-Fried and Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon, accused of defrauding investors of billions. Notable companies such as Celsius, Kraken, Genesis, Gemini, and Nexo were also charged, with Kraken and Nexo paying substantial civil penalties.
The SEC extended its reach to the NFT space, charging Impact Theory LLC and Stoner Cats 2 LLC for illegal, unregistered offerings of crypto asset securities. Celebrity endorsements drew scrutiny, with reality TV star Kim Kardashian and others charged for promoting crypto assets on social media without proper disclosure. Kardashian agreed to a $1.26 million settlement.
The report namedropped various celebrities involved in crypto promotions, highlighting settlements with individuals such as Lindsay Lohan, NBA star Paul Pierce, YouTube star Jake Paul, musician DeAndre Cortez Way (aka Soulja Boy), Michele Mason (aka Kendra Lust), Miles Parks McCollum (aka Lil Yachty), Shaffer Smith (Ne-Yo), Aliaune Thiam (Akon), and Austin Mahone.
The SEC’s comprehensive actions in 2023 included a total of 784 enforcement actions, $5 billion in financial remedies, and the distribution of nearly $1 billion to harmed investors. As the crypto markets continue to evolve, the SEC remains committed to robust enforcement to ensure integrity and protect investors.
