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| SEC’s Crypto |
Agency Shifts Focus to Broader Tech Threats, Including AI and Cybersecurity
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appears to be winding down its era of aggressive crypto enforcement. John Reed Stark, a former SEC official, recently declared the agency’s crypto crackdown “done,” citing internal shifts under current leadership.
Supporting this claim, the SEC has renamed its “Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit” to the broader “Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit.” According to new unit chief Laura D’Allaird, the SEC is expanding its oversight to cover a wider scope of emerging tech, including artificial intelligence and blockchain misuse.
From Crypto to Cyber: SEC’s New Enforcement Priorities
D’Allaird outlined a three-pronged strategy. First, the unit will target fraud involving new technologies, such as crypto scams and blockchain-based deception. Second, it will focus on cybersecurity compliance, including threats from social engineering and dark web activity. Third, the agency plans to uncover schemes that use modern tech terms to hide classic financial fraud.
This pivot comes as the SEC quietly drops several high-profile crypto lawsuits, including long-standing cases against Coinbase and Ripple. The demotion of Jorge Tenreiro, the agency’s lead crypto litigator, further signals a reduced emphasis on digital asset cases.
Regulatory Realignment Signals Shift in Washington’s Crypto Strategy
Although D’Allaird insists the SEC still values investor protection, the agency’s structural changes speak volumes. Crypto no longer appears to be the SEC’s top priority. Instead, the spotlight has shifted toward regulating broader technological risks as Washington recalibrates its stance on digital assets.
For crypto investors and companies, this could mean fewer enforcement actions ahead. However, risks remain as fraud and cybersecurity threats evolve alongside emerging technologies.