SEC, State Regulators Probe Crypto Lender Celsius Over Accounts Freeze

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and several other state regulators are reportedly investigating the choice by crypto lender Celsius Network to freeze withdrawals.

U.S. Securities Regulators Investigate Celsius’ Withdrawal Freeze

The U.S. SEC and securities regulators in Alabama, Kentucky, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington are investigating the choice by crypto lender Celsius Network to freeze withdrawals, Reuters reported Thursday.

Texas’ director of enforcement Joseph Rotunda defined that officers representing the 5 state securities regulators met Monday morning to start the investigation following Celsius’ withdrawal freeze announcement Sunday night time.

Noting that the investigation is a “precedence,” Rotunda mentioned:

I’m very involved that shoppers – together with many retail buyers – may have to right away entry their property but are unable to withdraw from their accounts.

“The incapacity to entry their funding could end in important monetary penalties,” he confused.

Rotunda mentioned he and his staff realized about Celsius’ accounts freeze from the corporate’s tweet and weblog put up Sunday night time.

“Due to excessive market situations, at the moment we’re asserting that Celsius is pausing all withdrawals, swaps, and transfers between accounts,” the corporate wrote.

Alabama Securities Commission Director Joseph Borg instructed the publication that the SEC has additionally been in communication with Celsius, including that the crypto lender has been conscious of questions from the regulators.

Last yr, regulators in a lot of states, together with Alabama, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Texas hit Celsius with a stop and desist order over the lender’s interest-bearing merchandise, which they mentioned must be registered as a safety.

After freezing withdrawals, Celsius reportedly sought help from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, a regulation agency that focuses on monetary restructuring. The crypto lender can be reportedly hiring Citigroup as an advisor.

Moreover, Ben Armstrong, aka Bit Boy, introduced a class-action lawsuit in opposition to Celsius and CEO Alex Mashinsky on Wednesday through Twitter.

What do you concentrate on U.S. securities regulators investigating Celsius’ accounts freeze? Let us know within the feedback part beneath.