SEC Chair Gary Gensler on Wednesday emphasized the importance of investor protection and transparent capital markets when discussing the SEC's approach to cryptocurrency regulation.
What Happened: Responding to concerns about the SEC’s method of enforcing regulations in the crypto space in an interview with Bloomberg, Gensler highlighted that the agency's role aligns with a broader legislative framework designed to safeguard public interests and promote capital formation.
"We've benefited for nine decades from robust laws from Congress," Gensler stated, referencing the SEC's authority to regulate financial markets to ensure transparency and stability.
Gensler noted that the relatively young crypto market has exposed many investors to significant losses, underscoring the need for clear regulatory oversight.
"All too many people have been hurt, all too many people have lost money and lined up in bankruptcy court," he remarked, stressing the importance of protections to prevent fraud and maintain investor confidence.
He also pointed out that effective public disclosures and protections against conflicts of interest are fundamental to sustaining trust and avoiding the types of market failures seen in the 1920s.
While Gensler acknowledged that oversight in emerging financial sectors can be challenging, he suggested that new rules for areas like private credit and non-bank lending would continue to prioritize transparency, risk management, and competition.
The private credit market, Gensler observed, "hasn't been tested in an inevitable downturn," but he noted that its growth could be beneficial for borrowers and investors if properly regulated.
The future of cryptocurrency regulation will be a key topic at Benzinga's Future of Digital Assets event on Nov. 19.
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