The SEC, Digital Assets, and Game Theory

Digital assets, cryptoassets, cryptocurrencies, and security-tokens have become ubiquitous. Yet approaches to regulating them differ around the globe. In the U.S., the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) has become a uniquely active crypto-regulator. In my recent article, I examine the Commission’s approach to digital-asset markets.

The Commission has not provided a clear rule for determining whether a digital asset is a security subject to the federal securities laws or something else, like a commodity not subject to the securities statutes. Instead, the SEC has opted for the more flexible approach of enforcement actions that rely on the … Read more

Securities Regulation in Cryptoasset Markets: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Rapid technological innovation over the past five years has created unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs – often outside the world of traditional finance and capital markets. Cryptoassets, for example, may prove to be socially beneficial tools for enabling entrepreneurs to more efficiently raise capital, and making sure those and other welfare-maximizing financial innovations succeed has become paramount for researchers and policymakers. In a recent paper, The Leviathan of Securities Regulation in Cryptoasset Markets, I aim to assist U.S. capital market regulators in determining how best to achieve this goal.

Unlike many foreign countries, the U.S. does not have regulations tailored … Read more