SEC’s Latest Crypto Lawsuit Filing Raises Questions about Solana Status

As a seasoned researcher with over two decades of experience in the financial sector, I have witnessed countless regulatory battles and shifts in market dynamics. The recent SEC filing regarding Binance crypto offerings being securities, which includes Solana (SOL), has once again sparked intrigue and speculation within the crypto community.


Following the latest SEC filing concerning certain Binance cryptocurrency offerings labeled as securities, crypto analysts are now expressing their opinions on the matter, implying that the SEC may still classify Solana (SOL) as a security.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed recent developments concerning the SEC’s filing to amend its complaint on “Third Party Crypto Asset Securities,” specifically naming Solana (SOL) in the mix. This has sparked a flurry of opinions about potential implications and how this decision might shape the future of SOL.

As an analyst, I, Jake Chervinsky – Chief Legal Officer at Variant Fund, have issued a statement regarding the ongoing case. In my opinion, there seems to be no compelling evidence that SOL is not classified as a security. I view the SEC’s latest move as a litigation strategy rather than a shift in policy. It is important to note that these same tokens are still categorized as securities in other exchange lawsuits being handled by the financial regulator. In essence, my stance remains consistent with the understanding that the SEC has not changed its policy on this matter.

“It’s important to clarify that just because the SEC hasn’t indicated Solana (SOL) is a non-security, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have made such a decision. The fact that they seem unwilling to conduct discovery on multiple tokens within the Binance case might be a strategic litigation move rather than a shift in their policy. It’s also worth mentioning that the SEC continues to classify these tokens as securities in other exchange-related cases.”

As a crypto investor, I understand the recent statement by Justin Slaughter, senior adviser at SEC, to mean he considers the actions of some individuals as “overreading.” While this filing doesn’t indicate a change in their stance on Solana and other tokens being classified as securities, it does suggest that the tokens listed in the amended complaint against Binance will not be considered securities. In essence, this clarification is aimed at addressing any confusion about their ongoing position regarding these digital assets.

Miles Jennings, leader of decentralization at a16z Crypto, views the action as politically motivated. He pointed out that the judge handling the Binance case has established a challenging threshold for determining if a token qualifies as a security according to the Howey test. Jennings noted that the SEC, recognizing the challenge, chose not to pursue the legal hurdle of classifying these tokens as securities in that specific case. Conversely, Judge Katherine Polk Failla in the Coinbase lawsuit appears to align more with the SEC’s stance. As a result, the regulator is not demanding the same ruling in that particular case.

The lead of decentralization at 16z Crypto suggested that if a comprehensive probe had uncovered proof that subsequent buyers were trusting the management team’s work, such evidence should have been initially presented in the original lawsuit. He also hinted at potential political maneuvers influencing how the SEC is managing this case, as he put it:

“It seems plausible that they might have a political agenda, given what I know about the SEC’s actions in private meetings.” or

Implications for a Potential Solana ETF

As an analyst, I find myself in agreement with Cozy ⓣhe Caller, a prominent figure in the crypto sphere with a substantial following of over 140 thousand on X. He views this recent news as a promising development for Solana (SOL). In his opinion, the revised report paves the way for a Solana Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) to be launched. Interestingly, he even proposes that Blackrock might consider filing for such an ETF.

It’s refreshing to hear that the SEC isn’t pursuing the classification of Solana as a security. This means we can now look forward to the launch of a Solana ETF. The apprehension regarding a Solana ETF stemmed from the possibility that Solana could be deemed a security. In essence, we can expect a live Solana ETF soon. Blackrock has also filed for it, so keep an eye out.

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2024-07-31 13:43