SEC withdraws multiple cryptocurrency enforcement actions and shifts focus to combating substantive fraud

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is making significant adjustments to its enforcement strategy in the cryptocurrency sector for the fiscal year 2025. The SEC has successively withdrawn seven cryptocurrency-related enforcement actions initiated by the previous commission, involving institutions such as Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, Cumberland DRW, Consensys, Dragonchain, and Balina, on the grounds that these cases lack sufficient federal securities law basis.

At the same time, the SEC has established a Cyber and Emerging Technologies Division, focusing on combating violations of securities trading related to blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. In terms of specific enforcement actions, the SEC has filed lawsuits against the following cases: New York cryptocurrency company Unicoin and its four executives for allegedly making false statements to mislead investors; PGI Global founder Ramil Palafox for allegedly orchestrating a cryptocurrency and forex fraud scheme amounting to $198 million and misappropriating over $57 million; and the founder of AI company Nate, Inc. for allegedly raising over $42 million illegally through false advertising of artificial intelligence capabilities.