
Joe Lubin expects Trump's reelection to ease crypto regulation, potentially dismissing or settling SEC cases.
Lubin praises Trumpโs pro-crypto approach, and advocates for pro-crypto leadership.
Legal experts debate the outcome of SEC cases, with some predicting settlements, while others believe the SEC will continue the way it was.
Joe Lubin, the CEO of ConsenSys, believes that a second term for Donald Trump could usher in a significant shift for the crypto industry, offering hope for firms like Coinbase, Binance, and Ripple that have faced years of legal battles with the SEC.
Speaking at DevCon 2024 in Thailand, Lubin suggested that Trumpโs pro-crypto stance and his plan to remove SEC Chair Gary Gensler could potentially lead to the dismissal or settlement of many ongoing SEC cases. Yet, with Republicans unlikely to secure a majority on the SEC for some time, legal experts warn that a commission vote would still be needed to drop current charges.
Could this mean a major win for the crypto sector?
Has the SEC Been Restricting Innovation?
These firms have faced strict actions from the SEC, which has labeled many crypto assets as securities. Lubin argues that this regulatory pressure has hindered growth and innovation. He pointed to ConsenSysโ lawsuit against the SEC earlier this year, which drew attention to what he calls the SECโs overreach, especially in its efforts to classify Ethereum 2.0 as a security.
Expertโs Weigh in on SECโs Confusing Terms
Ripple CTO David Schwartz criticized the SEC for confusing terminology around “investment contracts.” He clarified that Ripple has legal obligations to its shareholders, not XRP holders, and emphasized that XRP prices arenโt directly tied to Rippleโs actions.
Pro-XRP lawyer Bill Morgan also highlighted that Judge Torres ruled XRP sales to retail holders arenโt securities under the Howey test, which is a key argument in the ongoing case.
What Are Legal Experts Saying?
Attorney Fred Rispoli believes a settlement is more likely than a full dismissal of the cases. However, former SEC lawyer James Farrell is skeptical. He thinks the SEC will continue targeting secondary market crypto sales, despite growing criticism of Genslerโs regulatory approach.
Lubinโs comments reflect a sense of optimism in the crypto community, hoping that a Trump administration could ease regulatory pressures and reshape the SECโs approach. This could help resolve years of disputes that have slowed U.S. crypto market growth.
The first 100 days of a potential Trump presidency could determine whether these legal cases are dismissed or settled, marking a key moment for the industry.