Expect Increased Regulatory Scrutiny: CFTC Chair Warns of More Enforcement Actions Against Crypto Firms

Rostin Behnam, chair of the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has indicated that cryptocurrency firms are likely to face increased enforcement actions within the next two years as regulators aim to protect investors from potential fraud and manipulation. Behnam emphasised the necessity of a regulatory framework to address issues in the crypto market, pointing out ongoing lawsuits by both the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against numerous crypto firms. He noted that the absence of such regulatory mechanisms could perpetuate instances of fraud and manipulation. Behnam endorsed the involvement of U.S. lawmakers in bringing crypto firms under regulatory oversight, highlighting legislative efforts aimed at clarifying the roles of the SEC and CFTC regarding digital assets. This follows a surge in crypto-related enforcement cases, with the SEC initiating the highest number of such cases since 2013, according to a Cornerstone Research report. Notably, the CFTC has significantly increased its enforcement actions against crypto firms, with approximately one-third of all such actions occurring in 2023. These actions include cases against prominent figures in the industry, such as former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky, as well as the commission's involvement in the $4.3 billion settlement between Binance and U.S. authorities.