
Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein emphasized the need for a balanced
regulatory approach to cryptocurrency to avoid hindering innovation in the United States.
Grayscale Investments CEO, Michael Sonnenshein, highlighted a potential negative outcome for
the United States economy if the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to take
a one-by-one approach to regulating the cryptocurrency industry.
During a recent interview with Fox Business, Sonnenshein expressed that the SEC could drive crypto
firms out of the country by constantly resorting to enforcement action.
“If every crypto issue needs to go to a court of law, then as a country,
we are squashing the innovation taking place here,” Sonnenshein stated.
Sonnenshein reiterated the industry needs distinct definitions for crypto commodities
and crypto securities, as well as clearer regulatory guidelines for stablecoins.
He believes this will prevent businesses from relocating outside the U.S. Sonnenshein stated:
“Adding further clarity to this would ensure that companies and people working on crypto
don’t leave the U.S. because our regulatory environment is hostile towards the asset class but instead embraces it.”
Likewise, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse echoed similar comments prior to the ruling of
Ripple’s partial victory against the SEC, which was decided on July 13.
On June 17, Garlinghouse expressed that the SEC is “looking to kill” innovation and the
cryptocurrency industry in the U.S. He noted that Ripple’s lawsuit conclusion is just the
start of many other cases.
“Ultimately as our law suit comes to a close, for so many others its just starting, so the fight for clarity has to continue,” Garlinghouse stated.
However, Sonnenshein remains optimistic about U.S. Congress’ ongoing efforts to
provide regulatory clarity for the industry.
“A lot of this legislation that this congress could very well pass, could give the industry
the actual clarity it needs to move forward in a way that embraces crypto” Sonnenshein stated.
On July 31, Cointelegraph reported that the House Financial Services Committee
(FSC) approved the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act with a 35-15 vote.
The act aims to establish registration rules for crypto firms under the jurisdiction
of either the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or the SEC.
While Sonnenshein is confident in Congress’ direction, he believes that the SEC
should shift its focus concerning Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF).
He explained that the SEC is assessing the wrong criteria when determining which
Bitcoin ETF should be introduced to the market.
“When I think about the process that the SEC should be untaking here, it’s really not to
pick winners and losers, it is to ensure that all the right disclosures are put out there for investors.”
On Aug. 11, the SEC delayed its decision on the outcome of the spot Bitcoin ETF proposed by ARK Investment Management.
After its publication in the Federal Register, the SEC initiated a public
comment period for the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF.
This marks the most recent postponement in the regulatory decision-making
process regarding the acceptance a spot crypto ETF in the U.S.