Cryptocurrencies have almost always been a volatile asset, and in fact, that has been part of the allure for investors seeking a rapid reversal of fortunes. Yet, the past year has held some dramatic lows for the crypto market. Since late 2022, it has balanced the fall of one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, FTX, the ensuing market lows, and aggressive enforcement actions by regulatory bodies. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement actions, in particular, have sharply increased. They surged 183% in the 6 months following the FTX collapse. Among them are notably included lawsuits against Binance and Coincase, two of FTX’s largest competitors. While the future of the cryptocurrency market today is unclear, legal and regulatory actions are demonstrating that the cryptocurrency market is being held accountable and will not be given a free pass. Attorneys advising victims of cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes or businesses offering security tokens will find this webinar a guide to better understanding the technology around it and the state of regulations.

In this CLE webinar, our expert panelists begin with an overview of the blockchain, what makes it unique, and some of its real-world uses. Our speakers then dive into how the blockchain works, highlighting validation methods and permissions. The conversation continues with a discussion of the relationship between blockchain and cryptocurrencies, focusing on the different types of tokens available and their purpose. Our experts then review the existing regulatory framework, which is conducted primarily at the agency and state levels, but has also been supported by Executive Order 14067. The webinar concludes with a discussion of the state of cryptocurrency litigations today.