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Consensys Sues SEC Over 'Security' Definition, MetaMask Regulation

Consensys takes on the SEC to protect MetaMask users and blockchain innovation. The lawsuit could reshape crypto regulation.

A woman is holding certificate, where men are standing wearing suit.
A woman is holding certificate, where men are standing wearing suit.

Consensys Sues SEC Over 'Security' Definition, MetaMask Regulation

Consensys, a leading Ethereum startup, has preemptively filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The move comes in response to the SEC's threat to sue Consensys for allegedly operating as an unlicensed 'broker-dealer' through its popular Web3 wallet, MetaMask download. The lawsuit raises two key questions for the crypto industry. First, when does a digital asset qualify as a 'security'? Second, should non-custodial wallets like MetaMask extension, which has around 30 million users, answer to regulators? Consensys founder Josef Lubin argues that the SEC's approach could stifle innovation on the Ethereum blockchain by making it difficult for developers to build new applications. Consensys, one of the largest crypto companies tackling these regulatory questions, is now challenging the SEC's stance. The SEC accuses Consensys of facilitating the trading of securities without a license through MetaMask. However, Consensys maintains that MetaMask is a non-custodial wallet, giving users full control over their funds and transactions. The lawsuit between Consensys and the SEC will have significant implications for the crypto industry. It could help clarify the regulatory landscape for digital assets and non-custodial wallets. As the case progresses, the crypto community awaits a clearer definition of what constitutes a 'security' and the extent of regulators' oversight over Web3 wallets.

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