Circle Enters Legal Dispute Between SEC and Binance
Circle, a leading stablecoins issuer, has recently become involved in the legal dispute between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Binance, a major cryptocurrency exchange. Circle argues that stablecoins, which are tied to other assets for value stability, should not be subject to the same financial trading regulations as traditional securities.
Circle Argues Stablecoins Are Not Securities
The Binance case has gained significant prominence within the crypto world because major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase argue against subjecting cryptocurrencies to existing strict U.S. financial laws. In response to these allegations, Circle has presented its argument regarding assets tied to the dollar, such as BUSD and its own USDC.
Circle asserts that these assets should not be considered securities primarily because users do not expect any profit from standalone purchases of these stablecoins. According to their filing, Circle states that “Payment stablecoins, on their own, do not have the essential features of an investment contract”. Consequently, they believe that these stablecoins fall outside of SEC jurisdiction.
Circle further asserts that decades of case law reinforce the belief that an asset sale, disconnected from any post-sale commitments or responsibilities by the seller, is not sufficient to establish an investment contract. The argument assumes great significance in gaining insight into Circle’s stance regarding why stablecoins should not be categorized as securities.
SEC’s Allegation Against Binance
Binance faced multiple charges from regulators due to legal violations in June. These charges were related to the facilitation of trades in cryptocurrencies, including Binance Coin (BNB), Polygon (MATIC), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Binance’s stablecoin BUSD. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleged that these activities involved unregistered securities.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had accused Binance of selling BUSD as an investment contract due to the way it was promoted with yield offerings through reward programs. In response, last week, Binance and its U.S. arm and owner Changpeng “CZ” Zhao filed a motion to dismiss the SEC case.
Their argument centered around the regulator’s attempt to assert control over digital assets without proper authorization from Congress. The ongoing legal battle between Binance and the SEC has gained further attention with Circle’s recent involvement.
Hot Take: Circle’s Argument Challenges SEC’s Jurisdiction Over Stablecoins
Circle’s entry into the legal dispute between the SEC and Binance brings an interesting perspective to the debate surrounding stablecoins. By asserting that stablecoins should not be considered securities, Circle challenges the SEC’s jurisdiction over these digital assets. Their argument highlights the distinction between stablecoins and traditional investment contracts, emphasizing that stablecoin users do not expect any profit from their purchases.
If Circle’s argument holds up in court, it could have significant implications for the regulatory landscape of stablecoins in the United States. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how regulators respond to Circle’s stance and whether it influences future regulations surrounding stablecoins.
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