Crypto, SEC in Paxos: “do not issue BUSD”

Crypto news: Paxos Trust Company, a New York-based financial institution, has been instructed by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to stop issuing its Binance USD (BUSD) stablecoin.

The move follows the recent surge in demand for stablecoins

SEC and NYDFS vs Paxos and its BUSD stablecoin

The NYDFS instructed Paxos to stop issuing BUSD citing concerns about stablecoin compliance. The regulator said it had “concerns about the overall operations” of Paxos and that the company did not provide sufficient information on its AML and compliance policies.

“Paxos informed us that it has been ordered to stop minting new BUSD by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), BUSD is a stablecoin wholly owned and operated by Paxos. As a result, the market capitalization of BUSD will only decrease over time. Paxos will continue to service the product, handle redemptions, and provide additional information as requested.”

This is how the management of Binance expressed itself.

Therefore, Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange working with Paxos to issue BUSD, said it will continue to support the stablecoin, despite the NYDFS actions.

The world’s largest exchange said it is committed to complying with all current regulations and will work with Paxos to ensure BUSD remains a reliable and compliant stablecoin.

Paxos said it is working with the NYDFS to address the regulator’s concerns and expects to be able to resume issuing BUSD once the issues raised are resolved. The company also said it remains committed to its mission of providing a secure and reliable infrastructure for digital assets.

NYDFS move to block the issuance of BUSD is part of a broader crackdown on stablecoins by US regulators. The US Treasury Department recently stated that stablecoins could pose a risk to financial stability and called for stricter regulation of the sector.

The decision by the NYDFS to order Paxos to stop issuing BUSD is a sign of the increasing regulatory scrutiny that stablecoins are facing. Even though Paxos and Binance have stated that they are committed to compliance, it remains to be seen how regulators will respond to the challenges posed by the rapid growth of the stablecoin industry.

The SEC sues crypto trust Paxos causing panic over BUSD

Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced its intention to subpoena Paxos Trust Company, over allegations of illegal securities trading.

Paxos is the custodian of BUSD, and the SEC alleges that the company violated securities laws by trading the stablecoin on behalf of Binance without registering with the agency as a securities dealer or participating in the necessary regulatory procedures. According to the SEC, trading BUSD constitutes an unregistered securities offering, which violates federal securities laws.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, usually pegged to a fiat currency such as the US dollar or euro.

They are intended to provide a bridge between traditional financial systems and the emerging world of cryptocurrencies, offering a more stable and predictable value. BUSD is one of the most widely used stable currencies in the cryptocurrency market and has gained significant traction in recent years.

Lawsuit against Paxos

The lawsuit against Paxos is a significant development for the cryptocurrency industry and could have far-reaching consequences. The SEC has increased its scrutiny of the cryptocurrency market in recent years, and this latest action is a clear signal that the agency intends to apply traditional securities laws to the emerging digital asset market.

Paxos, as explained above, claims that it has been in regular communication with the SEC and has sought to work with the agency to ensure that its activities are in compliance.

The outcome of the lawsuit is currently uncertain, but it is clear that the SEC is taking a more aggressive stance toward the cryptocurrency market.
Agency has sought to establish clear rules and regulations for digital assets, and this lawsuit is a clear sign of its intention to enforce those rules.

The lawsuit also highlights the challenges the cryptocurrency industry faces in navigating a complex and ever-changing regulatory landscape. Cryptocurrencies are still a relatively new and untested asset class, and regulators struggle to keep up with a rapidly evolving market.

As a result, companies in the sector often operate in a legal gray area, which can make them vulnerable to regulatory action.

The SEC’s legal action against Paxos is a significant development for the cryptocurrency industry and highlights the challenges the market faces in navigating the regulatory landscape. As the cryptocurrency market continues to mature and grow, it is likely that we will see further regulatory interventions and companies will need to be prepared to navigate this rapidly changing landscape.

The impact on the price of Binance Coin (BUSD)

The SEC’s lawsuit against Paxos for trading BUSD may have an impact on the price of the stablecoin. Stablecoins like BUSD are designed to maintain a stable value, but any regulatory action against the stablecoin issuing company or its custodian could cause significant price fluctuations.

If Paxos is found to be in violation of federal securities laws, this could lead to a loss of confidence in BUSD, which could decrease the value of the stablecoin. Investors and traders may be less likely to use BUSD when there are doubts about the company’s regulatory compliance and the stability of the asset.

On the other hand, if Paxos successfully defends itself against the SEC lawsuit and proves that its BUSD-related activities are fully compliant with federal securities laws, it could increase confidence in the stablecoin and lead to an increase in its value.

Impact of the SEC

Ultimately, the impact of the SEC’s lawsuit on BUSD’s price will depend on the outcome of the lawsuit and market perception. If investors and traders view the regulatory action as a positive development that will lead to greater clarity and stability in the cryptocurrency market, this could favor the price of BUSD and other stablecoins.

However, if the lawsuit is seen as a sign of increased regulatory scrutiny and uncertainty in the cryptocurrency market, it could lead to a decline in the value of BUSD and other digital assets.

In the long run, stablecoins like BUSD will likely continue to play an important role in the cryptocurrency market as a bridge between traditional financial systems and digital assets. However, regulatory compliance and stability will be key factors in determining the success of these assets.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve and regulators seek to establish clear rules and regulations, companies like Paxos and Binance will need to be vigilant in ensuring that their activities fully comply with federal securities laws. Otherwise, their activities and the broader cryptocurrency market could suffer significant consequences.

Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2023/02/14/crypto-sec-paxos-not-issue-busd/