US Regulatory Organization Finds Regulatory Violations in 70% of Crypto Communications
A regulatory organization in the US, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), has revealed that 70% of crypto communications potentially violate current regulations. FINRA, responsible for creating and enforcing rules for registered brokers and brokerage firms, conducted an investigation and discovered violations in the majority of the 500 retail communications it examined.
The violations were in violation of Rule 2210, which prohibits false, exaggerated, promissory, unwarranted, or misleading claims. The organization’s analysts focused on substantive violations and looked for false or misleading statements regarding the offering of crypto assets through broker-dealers, misrepresentation of federal securities laws or SIPC applicability, and exaggeration or misrepresentation of investment features. They also checked for adequate risk disclosure and supervision of crypto asset communications.
Ira Gluck, Senior Director of FINRA, expected a high noncompliance rate before the probe, and the results confirmed this with almost 70% of reviewed communications failing to comply with Rule 2210 in some substantive manner.
Hot Take: FINRA Highlights Widespread Noncompliance in Crypto Communications
A recent investigation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has revealed a concerning trend of regulatory violations in crypto communications. According to FINRA’s findings, up to 70% of these communications violate existing regulations. These violations include false or misleading claims about crypto assets offered through broker-dealers, misrepresentation of applicable laws, and exaggerated investment features.
The high noncompliance rate is alarming and indicates a need for better oversight and risk disclosure in the crypto industry. As regulators strive to protect investors and maintain market integrity, it is crucial for businesses to adhere to regulatory guidelines when communicating about crypto assets. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences and erode trust in the industry. Going forward, stricter enforcement and improved supervision are necessary to ensure compliance and safeguard the interests of all stakeholders.