As an analyst with over two decades of experience in the financial sector, I’ve witnessed a myriad of regulatory actions and their impact on various industries. The SEC’s recent crackdown on cryptocurrency firms is undoubtedly one for the history books.


In the year 2024, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) significantly stepped up its penalties against cryptocurrency companies and their leaders, amounting to approximately $4.7 billion. This figure is a staggering 30-fold increase compared to the fines of $150.3 million imposed in 2023.

In June, the SEC imposed penalties that were more than twice as large following its record-breaking $4.47 billion settlement with Terraform Labs and its former CEO, Do Kwon. This settlement marks the most substantial enforcement action taken by the SEC to date.

Terraform Labs Pushes Average SEC Fine Above $420M

Despite the SEC taking on fewer cases this year (11 compared to 30 last year), the penalties assessed have significantly increased. This increase in fines encompasses various types of sanctions, such as forfeiture, disgorgement, civil penalties, and settlement amounts. This change in strategy suggests that the SEC is prioritizing high-impact cases that will establish industry standards rather than focusing on a large number of cases.

In 2019, I found myself on the receiving end of a hefty penalty by the SEC, amounting to an astounding $1.24 billion. This was imposed on the social messaging network Telegram, with $18.5 million in civil penalties and $1.2 billion in disgorgement. This case significantly inflated the average fines that year, as they jumped almost 2,000%. Prior to this, the average fine ranged between $5 million and $35.2 million over the next four years. However, the Terraform Labs case of 2024 has pushed the average fine beyond the $420 million mark.

This year, notable entities like GTV Media Group, Ripple Labs, and the Barksdale duo (John and Tina) each face penalties exceeding $100 million. Interestingly, about 45% of the penalties imposed since 2020 have been a million dollars or less, while approximately 30% fall between $1 million and $10 million. These figures suggest a significant change in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approach in the cryptocurrency market as they increasingly target high-profile cases.

 

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2024-09-11 15:48