SEC issues Robinhood Crypto with Wells Notice

Robinhood (HOOD) Markets has received a Wells Notice from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) citing alleged securities violations. The crypto unit of Robinhood Markets, Robinhood Crypto, received the notice on May 4. The SEC staff has made a preliminary determination to recommend an enforcement action against Robinhood Crypto, alleging securities violations. Robinhood Markets, Inc., (HOOD) Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer, Dan Gallagher, expressed disappointment that the agency has decided to issue a Wells Notice related to their U.S. crypto business.

Last year, Robinhood (HOOD) Markets said it had received an investigative subpoena from the SEC related to listings of cryptocurrencies. The SEC has previously targeted decentralized crypto exchanges like Uniswap and Coinbase, and Ethereum development studio Consensys. Consensys later moved to sue the SEC, arguing that regulating ether as a security would jeopardize the U.S.'s ability to use Ethereum and other blockchains. The implications of regulating ether as a security would extend beyond digital asset trading, jeopardizing the future of innovations, products, and U.S. jobs that the next generation of the Internet will unleash.