Coinbase Takes on SEC Again—Demands Transparency on Crypto Battle Costs

• Coinbase challenges the SEC, demanding transparency on crypto enforcement costs.
• Shifts in SEC leadership suggest a more favorable regulatory landscape for the crypto industry.

Following the recent legal battle, pro-crypto U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Coinbase in its case against the SEC, which is now pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for a second round.

As CNF highlighted, in a bold move for transparency, Coinbase has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, aiming to uncover the financial implications of the SEC’s crypto enforcement actions during the previous administration.

In response to this development, Paul Grewal, Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, highlighted the broad scope of the request in a recent tweet. Coinbase is demanding detailed information on: (1). The number of investigations and enforcement actions the SEC has initiated (2).The total costs incurred for these actions (3).The personnel and third-party contractors involved and their respective expenses

What do we hope to find out? How many investigations and enforcement actions were brought – and how much they cost; how many employees worked on these investigations/enforcement actions – and how much they cost; how many third-party contractors were used in these…

— paulgrewal.eth (@iampaulgrewal) March 3, 2025

Additionally, Coinbase seeks transparency on the now-suspended Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit within the SEC’s Enforcement Division, including its budget and staffing details.

This is not Coinbase’s first attempt to bring regulatory actions to light. Previously, the exchange filed a FOIA requestthat exposed activities resembling “Operation Choke Point 2.0” within the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC), suggesting a pattern of regulatory scrutiny against the crypto industry.

Shifts in SEC’s Stance Under New Leadership

The regulatory landscape has shifted following the appointment of Mark Uyeda as the new SEC chairman. Under his leadership, the SEC has moved to dismiss several high-profile crypto-related lawsuits, signaling a potential realignment of enforcement priorities.

These developments have sparked optimism among industry leaders. The dismissal of longstanding litigationssuggests a new approach to crypto regulation under the current administration.

Coinbase’s FOIA request underscores the industry’s demand for transparency, clarity, and fairness in regulatory practices. As the crypto sector, particularly Bitcoin (BTC), continues to evolve, clearer regulations could impact institutional adoption and market stability.

According to CoinMarketCap data, Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading at $86,278, reflecting a 7.93% decrease in the past day, and a 5.41% decline over the past week. See BTC price chart below.