The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a warning to Robinhood Markets Inc. regarding its cryptocurrency business, indicating that the regulator continues to pursue its crackdown on digital assets. The SEC’s enforcement staff sent a Wells notice to Robinhood, primarily known for its stock trading platform, signaling a potential enforcement action. This news caused the company’s shares to drop more than 2% in premarket trading.
Robinhood will have the opportunity to respond to the SEC’s allegations before any action is taken, and the outcome could result in a lawsuit or settlement with the regulator. Robinhood’s chief legal officer expressed disappointment at the SEC’s decision, stating that the company believes the assets on its platform are not securities.
The SEC under Chair Gary Gensler maintains that most tokens are subject to SEC rules and platforms facilitating their trade should be registered with the agency. The determination of whether an asset falls under the SEC’s securities regulations is based on a test established in a 1946 Supreme Court case. While crypto advocates argue that many digital assets do not meet this standard, they are calling for updated guidelines that recognize the unique characteristics of cryptocurrencies.
Robinhood received an investigative subpoena related to its cryptocurrency listings and custody procedures after an investigation into other crypto brokerages and trading platforms like Coinbase Global Inc. This latest development comes after years of regulatory uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrencies in the US.