- Cryptocurrency’s legal terrain brims with high-profile lawsuits and regulatory confrontations in 2024.
- Ongoing cases against major industry players like Binance, Celsius, and Ripple could reshape crypto regulations and industry practices.
The crypto landscape, following a turbulent year of regulatory scrutiny and legal confrontations, braces for a flurry of pivotal court cases in 2024. This year could see significant legal face-offs among industry giants and regulatory bodies, with several unresolved lawsuits continuing to shape the future of cryptocurrencies.
SEC and CFTC Crackdown: Upcoming Legal Showdowns
Government watchdogs like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have escalated their enforcement efforts against crypto businesses, resulting in numerous lawsuits.
The SEC, under Chair Gary Gensler’s assertive stance, remains resolute in categorizing most crypto assets as securities, intensifying their legal actions against non-compliant entities. Meanwhile, the CFTC, in tandem with the SEC, pursued nearly 47 legal actions, including the monumental $3.4 billion fine against Cornelius Johannes Steynberg, marking the largest win in its history.
Spotlight on Seven Critical Crypto Cases
Binance: Despite settling with multiple U.S. agencies for a record $4.3 billion, Binance faces an ongoing SEC lawsuit, alleging illegal operation of an unregistered exchange and unauthorized securities offerings.
Celsius: Accused of defrauding investors, the bankrupt crypto lending platform and its former CEO Alex Mashinsky face charges from the SEC and CFTC, with Mashinsky’s trial scheduled for September.
Coinbase: The SEC lawsuit against Coinbase, centered on unregistered exchange operations and staking services, continues in the Southern District Court of New York after the exchange denied the allegations.
FTX: Founder Sam Bankman-Fried faces charges of fraud and unlawful political donations, with a looming trial and sentencing scheduled for March, following his conviction on multiple counts.
Kraken: The SEC’s accusations against Kraken for mixing customer funds and running an unregistered securities exchange prompt a rebuttal from CEO David Ripley, denying the allegations.
Ripple: Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC over XRP sales saw partial success, with ongoing negotiations to determine penalties for alleged securities law breaches.
Tornado Cash: U.S. Treasury sanctions and legal proceedings against Tornado Cash co-founders for alleged money laundering pose legal challenges, with arraignments and upcoming trials on the horizon.
The year 2024 sets the stage for these courtroom clashes, portraying a pivotal phase in the crypto industry’s legal landscape and its consequential impact on regulations and market dynamics.