SEC
SEC typically refers to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which "protects investors in the $3.8 trillion municipal securities markets that cities and towns rely on to provide neighborhood schools, local libraries and hospitals, public parks, safe drinking water and so much more". But it can also refer to the security and exchange regulation bodies of other countries.
Coinme Fined $4 Million by SEC
Crypto exchange Coinme has been fined $4 million by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for offering unregistered securities and making "misleading statements" regarding its token, UpToken.
Nigeria Plans to Regulate Digital Asset Platforms
Nigeria’s SEC is considering new regulations for digital asset platforms, allowing licensed digital exchanges to list tokens backed by certain assets. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether will not be among those assets. Nigeria aims to register fintech firms as digital sub-brokers, crowdfunding intermediaries, fund managers, and tokenized coins issuers. Crypto exchanges will not be registered until the central bank provides clear regulations.
Meta Files for Debt Shelf Offerings
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has filed for new debt shelf offerings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company has not disclosed the exact amount of debt securities being offered, but it plans to issue a new prospectus supplement each time a debt security is sold.
Google's Authenticator Update Raises Security Concerns
Google has released an update to its Authenticator app that allows users to store a one-time code in cloud storage. While this may help users who lose their authenticator app, it also makes them more vulnerable to hackers, who can gain access to the user's Google password and subsequently obtain full access to their authenticator-linked apps. Cybersecurity experts have also warned of complications that come with Google's cloud storage-based solution to two-factor authentication (2FA), raising concerns about security.
Gensler Alleged Crypto Hypocrisy
Gary Gensler, head of the US securities regulator, is facing accusations of hypocrisy from the crypto community after a 2018 video surfaced of him stating that cryptocurrencies are commodities or cash and not securities. Several crypto leaders have expressed their shock and disgust at Gensler's apparent change of stance on the matter.
The Sandbox partners with Ledger Enterprise for NFT security integration.
The Sandbox has partnered with Ledger Enterprise to develop security integration for its partners. The collaboration will enable the migration of nonfungible token collections to the Ledger wallet, and The Sandbox will appear as a DApp on Ledger Enterprise.
Terraform Labs CEO Asks for Dismissal of SEC Charges
Do Kwon, CEO of Terraform Labs, has requested the dismissal of charges filed by the SEC, arguing that the claims are invalid and that the agency lacked proper jurisdiction. Kwon's counsel stated that Terra's tokens and projects were not specifically targeted at U.S. investors. The South Korean district court previously dismissed security violation charges against the co-founder of Terraform Labs, Hyun-seong Shin, deeming LUNA as non-security under Korea’s Capital Markets Act.
Hydrogen Technology Corporation Settles Crypto Manipulation Lawsuit
Hydrogen Technology Corporation and its former CEO, Michael Ross Kane, have settled a lawsuit brought against them by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for alleged cryptocurrency price manipulation. The settlement requires the firm and Kane to pay $2.8 million in remedies and penalties. The SEC alleged that Kane used Hydrogen's market maker, Moonwalkers Trading Limited, to manipulate the volume and price of its ERC-20 token, Hydro (HYDRO).
South Korean Court Clears Former Terraform Labs CEO of Security Violations
A South Korean court dismissed charges of security violations against former Terraform Labs CEO Hyun-seong Shin, ruling that LUNA is not a security under the country's Capital Markets Act. The court rejected the prosecution's appeal for confiscation of Shin's properties and arrest, and stated that Luna is not a financial investment product regulated by the act. However, the prosecution has appealed to the Supreme Court against the verdict of the lower district court.
KuCoin Twitter Hack Leads to Loss of Funds
KuCoin's official Twitter account was hacked, leading to users losing their funds in a fake giveaway event. The exchange pledged to reimburse the victims and improve security measures to prevent similar incidents. This incident highlights the growing trend of hackers taking over official Twitter accounts of crypto exchanges and NFT projects to promote scams.