Fresh Hope for Crypto Regulation in 2025
The US cryptocurrency industry looks to the year 2025 with hope, seeing the President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress arriving in office. Industry leaders are hopeful that the new administration will fulfill its promises in bringing about clarity and reform to the regulations governing digital assets. It could prove to be the turning point for crypto companies in their long battle against an unfriendly regulatory environment that seems too cloudy and overregulatory.
Ripple vs. SEC: A Defining Legal Battle
One of the most overriding concerns is the Ripple case ongoing against the SEC. Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, reiterated on Dec. 31 that tokens are not inherently securities, although they can be involved in security transactions. Ripple is appealing an August 2024 ruling that found the company liable for $125 million. The outcome could set a vital precedent for how regulators classify digital assets going forward.
The Chevron Doctrine and SEC Cases
Other recent significant movement included the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling that overturned the Chevron doctrine, whereby courts would defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous laws. Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal said that decision may force judges to re-evaluate cases brought by the SEC, potentially leading to a more fair-minded judiciary when it came to digital asset regulations.
High-Stakes Legal and Criminal Cases
The year 2025 will be very eventful legally for the crypto sector. Cases against former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky and recently extradited Terraform Labs’ Do Kwon will continue, while simultaneously, the shake-up in the leadership at agencies such as the SEC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York might impact the ongoing enforcement actions.
Trump’s Proposed Leadership Shake-Up
He has hinted at plans for regulatory leadership shake-ups. Among them, he’s proposed swapping SEC Chair Gary Gensler for former commissioner Paul Atkins and naming Jay Clayton, Gensler’s predecessor, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. If the plans go through, this could substantially lessen the regulatory load on crypto companies and direct enforcement efforts to support business growth.
Everything the crypto industry could want in 2025 depends on whether this new administration can deliver. In a year featuring changed leadership, landmark legal cases, and possibly some regulatory clarity, this could be the year that sets up the future of digital assets in the US.
