The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has submitted a response in support of its request to compel Binance Holdings Limited to comply promptly with discovery procedures related to customer assets. This response follows several months of alleged delays and incomplete responses from Binance as it contests a lawsuit accusing it of violating federal securities laws.
The SEC’s objective is to obtain a court-ordered investigation into Binance US amid an ongoing dispute over cryptocurrency custody. In a comprehensive 12-page document, the SEC asserts that Binance has not fully adhered to a consent order mandating the submission of documents and information pertaining to the custody and management of customer cryptocurrency assets. According to the SEC, recent depositions have uncovered indications that Binance may have withheld pertinent documents and information without justifiable cause. The SEC’s court submission states:
“Binance has provided inconsistent representations about key facts, slow-rolled small productions of documents and information, and stonewalled on entire categories of information that would likely shed light on its shaky assertions concerning the custody of customer assets.”
The SEC highlights Binance’s conflicting statements regarding which entity or entities have custody of customer assets and the initial confusion regarding the role of a Binance-affiliated entity known as “Ceffu” in asset control. The SEC argues that these factors emphasize the necessity for a thorough discovery process to ensure the safety of assets during the legal proceedings.
The SEC’s legal team insists that the court should dismiss Binance’s partial claims of irrelevance, prejudice, and burden and instead grant the Motion to Compel in its entirety.
Binance maintains that it has fulfilled its discovery obligations and that additional requests are excessively burdensome. However, the SEC counters this argument by asserting that there is a lack of specificity and supporting evidence. The regulator contends that the limited discovery conducted so far indicates the existence of crucial communications and materials that Binance failed to produce.
The SEC’s motion seeks to compel Binance to provide documentation regarding wallet custody practices, communications related to asset control, materials from former employees, and other pertinent information. The U.S. agency argues that this information is vital to determining who has control over customer assets and ensuring compliance with the consent order.
Please share your thoughts and opinions on the SEC’s recent court filing, which seeks court permission to investigate Binance US, in the comments section below.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Keyword: SEC’s Investigation of Binance US
What is the SEC’s latest action against Binance US?
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a motion to compel Binance Holdings Limited to comply with expedited discovery related to customer assets. This action comes after allegations of delays and incomplete responses from Binance in a lawsuit accusing it of violating federal securities laws.
Why does the SEC want to investigate Binance US?
The SEC is seeking a court-ordered investigation into Binance US due to concerns about the custody and control of customer cryptocurrency assets. It argues that Binance has not fully complied with a consent order to provide documents and information related to these assets.
What are the key issues raised by the SEC in its court filing?
The SEC alleges that Binance has provided inconsistent information, delayed document production, and withheld certain categories of information. It also points out conflicting statements from Binance regarding the custody of customer assets and initial confusion about the role of a Binance-related entity called “Ceffu.”
What is the SEC’s stance on Binance’s claims of fulfilling discovery obligations?
The SEC contends that Binance’s claims of fulfilling discovery obligations lack specificity and supporting evidence. The regulator asserts that limited discovery conducted so far indicates the existence of crucial communications and materials that Binance failed to produce.
What specific information does the SEC seek from Binance in its motion?
The SEC’s motion aims to compel Binance to provide documentation concerning wallet custody practices, communications related to asset control, materials from former employees, and other relevant information. This information is seen as crucial for determining who has control over customer assets and ensuring compliance with the consent order.
More about Keyword: SEC’s Investigation of Binance US
- SEC Official Website: The official website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where you can find official statements and documents related to their actions.
- Binance Official Website: Binance’s official website provides updates and information about the cryptocurrency exchange.
- Federal Securities Laws: Information about federal securities laws enforced by the SEC, which are relevant to the lawsuit against Binance.
- Consent Order: An explanation of what a consent order is and its significance in legal proceedings.
- Cryptocurrency Custody: An overview of cryptocurrency custody practices and their importance in the cryptocurrency market.
- Regulatory Compliance: Information about regulatory compliance in the financial and cryptocurrency sectors.
5 comments
Consent order’s no joke. Binance gotta play by the rules. SEC’s lookin’ 4 deets on wallets, communications, and more. Serious stuff!
SEC’s takin’ Binance 2 task. They wanna c what’s goin’ on with those assets. Binance is like, “We did our part!” but SEC’s like, “Nah, not enuff evidence, bro!”
This SEC vs. Binance drama got me watchin’ closely. Custody of crypto assets ain’t no joke. Hope they sort it out soon.
Binance needs 2 get its act 2gether. SEC sayin’ they hidin’ stuff, and they ain’t happy ’bout it. Gonna b interestin’ 2 c how this unfolds.
SEC ain’t foolin’ around. They want docs, info, all dat jazz from Binance. This lawsuit’s gettin’ messy, yo!