In the U.S. no one federal agency has exclusive supervision over cryptoassets. This has resulted in an opaque regulatory environment and, in turn, a reluctance to provide investment for research and development, as well as uncertainty as to how to comply with an evolving regulatory landscape. Here, we review some of the most recent actions by some of the U.S. regulatory agencies.

As the world marks the 11-year anniversary of the seminal Satoshi Nakamoto whitepaper, which introduced the world to bitcoin, the cryptocurrency industry remains a relatively nascent, highly volatile, somewhat untrusted, and uncertain industry. Despite – or to spite – the statements of certain regulatory and law enforcement agencies, virtual currencies do not neatly fit into existing regulatory structures. Depending on the specific circumstances, cryptoassets may be regulated by any of a number of federal agencies within the United States (not to mention the array of state or foreign agencies that might stake a claim to jurisdiction).

The process of applying a complex network of laws and rules enforced by different agencies onto these new technologies, products, and services has resulted in an opaque regulatory environment. This, in turn, yields reluctance to provide investment for much-needed research and development, along with genuine uncertainty as to how to comply with an evolving regulatory landscape.

Helpful joint statement

Rise in enforcement

Further complications

Avoiding stifling innovation