Two of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, Binance and Coinbase, have been sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). By offering and selling unregistered securities, the SEC claims that Binance and Coinbase have broken federal securities laws.
The legal actions will probably have a big effect on the entire cryptocurrency market, not just on the respective firms. The efforts of the SEC may result in heightened regulatory scrutiny of the cryptocurrency market, which may make it more challenging for exchanges to run and for investors to trade cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, the litigation can potentially cause the value of cryptocurrencies to decrease. Investors may decide to sell their holdings if they become concerned about the direction of the cryptocurrency market.
How fast the cryptocurrency market will recover from the SEC’s actions is difficult to predict. Although the market has already demonstrated resilience, the SEC’s measures may have a long-term effect. Bitcoin, the king cryptocurrency reacted immediately to this event, trading down to $25k levels but has also recovered decently above $26k levels, while majority of the crypto community are not fazed with the announcement as they all believe Bitcoin is inevitable and this is only an opportunity to buy the dip.
Potential Effects of the SEC’s Lawsuits
Reduced trading volume: If investors are concerned about the legal position of the sector, they may become cautious to trade cryptocurrencies. The volume of trade on exchanges can decline as a result.
Lower prices: As trading volume declines, cryptocurrency prices may follow suit as well. This is so because demand and supply are what decide pricing, and prices will probably rise if demand declines.
Tighter regulation: The SEC’s legal actions may result in a tighter regulatory environment for the sector. As a result, it can become more challenging for investors to trade cryptocurrencies and for exchanges to function.
Final Thoughts
It is crucial to remember that there is a chance the exchanges and the SEC will be able to negotiate a settlement, which might lessen some of the negative effects on the cryptocurrency market. The litigation could, however, also proceed to trial, and in turn have a more significant effect on the market. It’s time for the entire crypto community to come together and stand against harsh regulations from these entities and unite to fight back.
Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any service.
Image(s): Shutterstock.com