SEC Cut Crypto Enforcement Nearly 60% Under Trump, Easing Pressure on Firms
The SEC reportedly slashed nearly 60% of its crypto enforcement actions under the Trump administration, a move that eased immediate regulatory pressure on high-profile companies such as Ripple and Binance. Agency officials have defended the reduction, saying the change reflected enforcement priorities rather than political influence, but the scale of the decline is notable for an industry often shaped by regulatory signals.
Why this matters: a sustained drop in enforcement can lower short-term compliance costs and encourage innovation, but it also leaves unresolved questions about legal clarity and precedent for token issuers and exchanges. Market participants and policymakers will watch whether future administrations reverse that trend or build on it, since enforcement intensity directly affects investor risk, settlement outcomes and how startups design token offerings.