January 11, 2018

SEC Chairman Jay Clayton Releases Statement on Cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings

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Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission Jay Clayton released a public statement regarding cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs). In the statement, Chairman Clayton notes rapid growth in these areas and how expanding areas of innovation in this space may impact retail consumers and market professionals. With regard to retail consumers, Clayton reiterated that these investments carry with them reduced investor protections in comparison to traditional investments, highlighting that no ICOs have been registered with the SEC to date. For market professionals, Chairman Clayton stressed that, ICOs, while an innovation in the field, may still constitute securities transactions subject to SEC regulation, noting that much of the distinction between ICOs and traditional offerings may be more of a matter of form, rather than substance. Clayton also raised this point as it relates to cryptocurrencies, stating that merely calling a product a “currency” does not change the analysis of whether it is a security. Chairman Clayton further discussed the need for adequate disclosure, processes and investor protections with regard to ICOs, and stated that for cryptocurrencies, market professionals should either be able to demonstrate that the product is not a security, or comply with securities regulations.

View full text of Chairman Clayton’s statement.

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