In a significant move, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has taken regulatory action against three decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, charging them with offering illegal derivatives trading.
Opyn, Inc., ZeroEx (0x), Inc., and Deridex, Inc. have been issued cease-and-desist orders and financial penalties for their alleged unlawful activities. All this is raising questions about the regulatory landscape for DeFi platforms.
CFTC’s Charges and Penalties
The CFTC’s charges are rooted in using blockchain-based protocols and smart contracts by these DeFi firms to operate as trading platforms, which the CFTC deems illegal. Opyn, ZeroEx, and Deridex have been ordered to halt these violations and face financial penalties.
According to our insights, Opyn is facing a $250,000 penalty, ZeroEx $200,000, and Deridex $100,000. These companies have accepted these penalties as part of a settlement to resolve the charges.
DeFi Faces Regulatory Scrutiny
CFTC Director of Enforcement Ian McGinley emphasized the regulator’s stance on DeFi activities, stating that DeFi operators have erroneously assumed that smart contracts can make unlawful transactions lawful, a notion the CFTC firmly rejects. This regulatory action underscores the need for DeFi platforms to navigate the evolving legal landscape carefully. Opyn, ZeroEx, and Deridex are said to have cooperated fully in the CFTC’s investigation, which led to reduced financial penalties as part of the settlement.
However, not everyone is pleased with the CFTC’s approach. Commissioner Summer Mersinger expressed concerns about the lack of evidence of customer funds misappropriation or victimization by the targeted DeFi protocols. She advocated for greater public engagement rather than punitive measures in such cases. Other community members, such as Ryan Sean Adams, also expressed their concerns about crypto stability in the US.
This regulatory action highlights the challenges and uncertainties surrounding DeFi in the United States. While DeFi continues to innovate and evolve, regulators are adapting to address these platforms’ potential legal and financial risks. The outcome of this case will likely have repercussions for the broader DeFi ecosystem as it grapples with regulatory scrutiny and compliance in the future.
What Can I Do If My Money Is Lost On a DeFi Blockchain?
First of all, you need to stay calm and prepare all the evidence. If the issue escalates, you must present yourself as a creditor with valid information about your wallet, DeFi protocol, amount of digital currencies, etc.
Our CipherTrace analysts can help with this task. We can extract the report tracking and tracing your digital coins from the first to last wallet, finding the final destination. Book a free consultation today, and let’s start the work.