Crypto Trading Platforms Must Be Registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission

Important news regarding regulations are starting to take shape. The US Securities and Exchange Commission, also known as SEC, informed that cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms must be registered with the agency. If the crypto exchange or platform is considered a security it must be registered as an exchange, informed a public statement.

Cryptocurrency Exchanges Regulations

According to the statement, online platforms have become popular among investors for buying cryptocurrencies and digital assets. If the platform offers its customers the possibility to exchange securities, then it must be registered with the SEC.

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The statement released reads as follows:

“A number of these platforms provide a mechanism for trading assets that meet the definition of a “security” under the federal securities laws. If a platform offers trading of digital assets that are securities and operates as an “exchange,” as defined by the federal securities laws, then the platform must register with the SEC as a national securities exchange or be exempt from registration.”

Besides that, the inform keeps saying that several trading platforms appear to investors as SEC-registered but in reality, they are not. The market is very unregulated and platforms try to show that they are doing everything what is possible to be regulated. Most of the countries are building regulations for cryptocurrencies and crypto platforms.

“The SEC staff has concerns that many online trading platforms appears to investors as SEC-registered and regulated marketplaces when they are not,” reads the statement. “Many platforms refer to themselves as “exchanges,” which can give the misimpression to investors that they are regulated or meet the regulatory standards of a national securities exchange.”

The main intention behind this attempt of regulating the market is to protect investors and prevent manipulative and fraudulent trading practices. Furthermore, the SEC is ready to assist platforms in order to implement new technologies to comply with federal laws.

Regulations Ahead

The last year we have written many times that regulations are going to take place during 2018. The cryptocurrency markets will find an important pressure from governments and international institutions. Governments are trying to regulate cryptocurrencies and the activities related with them, like Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) or crypto exchanges and platforms.

In the next weeks, during a G-20 meeting, Germany, Japan, India, France, the European Union and other countries are planning to introduce international cryptocurrency regulations.

According to France and Germany, Bitcoin regulations and efforts to regulate the market will be inefficient. The world must discuss these topics and search shared solutions to a situation that does not recognize boundaries.

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