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eToro US Users Restricted to Trading Only BTC, BCH, and ETH, Settle with SEC for $1.5 Million

eToro Reaches Settlement with SEC, Limits Cryptocurrency Trading for US Customers

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announced a settlement agreement with the multinational investment trading platform, eToro. As part of the settlement, eToro has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations of operating as an unregistered broker-dealer and unregistered clearing agency. Furthermore, eToro will only offer limited cryptocurrency trading options to its US customers moving forward.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Israel, eToro is a globally renowned online investment trading platform that facilitates trading in various financial products such as stocks, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. With a user base of 30 million worldwide, eToro’s user-friendly interface has attracted a large number of investors. However, this popularity also drew the attention of the SEC.

According to the SEC’s announcement on the 12th, since 2020, eToro has been operating as a broker and clearing agency, providing US customers with the ability to trade in cryptocurrency securities through its online trading platform without complying with federal securities registration requirements. As part of the settlement, eToro USA LLC has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve the charges of operating as an unregistered broker and clearing agency for cryptocurrency trading. Additionally, eToro has committed to ceasing violations of relevant federal securities laws and will only offer limited cryptocurrency trading services.

Implications for eToro’s US Customers

In the future, eToro’s US customers will only be able to trade Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and Ethereum (ETH) on its platform. Other cryptocurrencies previously available for trading, including AAVE, ALGO, BAT, ADA, and many more, will be phased out within 180 days of the SEC’s order issuance.

Gurbir Grewal, head of the SEC’s enforcement division, noted that eToro’s removal of investment contract tokens from its platform demonstrates compliance with regulations and operating within the existing regulatory framework. This not only enhances investor protection but also sets a precedent for other cryptocurrency intermediaries to follow suit.

The SEC has consistently maintained that most cryptocurrencies are securities and must adhere to registration rules. However, many cryptocurrency companies, including Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken, have found themselves embroiled in legal disputes with the SEC, as they argue that cryptocurrencies differ from stocks and bonds and do not fit the securities definition.

eToro maintains that the settlement agreement will have minimal impact on its global operations. Outside the US, eToro users will continue to trade over 100 cryptocurrencies. As a diversified global asset trading and investment platform, eToro remains committed to strong growth and aims to become a publicly listed company in the future.

While clear cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks exist in the UK and Europe, a similar framework is anticipated in the US soon. Once in place, eToro plans to enable cryptocurrency trading that aligns with these regulations.

Recent Developments and Partnerships

In recent news, eToro has collaborated with Twitter to introduce trading options for “cashtags,” expanding its cryptocurrency and stock offerings. Additionally, eToro has explored partnerships and initiatives to boost user engagement, including surveys on gifting cryptocurrencies on Valentine’s Day and managing increased user demand effectively.

As eToro navigates regulatory challenges and adapts its services, the platform remains dedicated to providing a secure and compliant trading environment for its users.

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