A recent announcement from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) advising Coinbase, one of the top crypto exchanges, to limit trading to Bitcoin has caught the attention of crypto enthusiasts.

This unexpected advice to Coinbase to restrict trading to Bitcoin shows the SEC, led by chair Gary Gensler, is eager to increase its control over the crypto space.

Armstrong highlighted the SEC's ambiguous explanation: "They mentioned...we believe every asset other than Bitcoin is a security."

If Coinbase had accepted such a request, it might have set a dangerous precedent, putting most US crypto firms in a tricky situation, operating unlawfully unless they registered with the SEC. Armstrong suggested that compliance could have signaled "the end of the US crypto industry."

Crypto regulation has always been complex, with the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) claiming jurisdiction. This year, the CFTC sued Binance, the biggest crypto exchange, which was soon followed by the SEC's lawsuit.

While the SEC denies formally requesting "companies to delist crypto assets," it admits that its staff may share their opinions on actions that could breach securities laws during an investigation.

Chair Gensler believes most cryptos, excluding Bitcoin, are securities. His alleged advice to Coinbase indicates a relentless push by the SEC to use this interpretation for industry regulation.

Interestingly, Ether, the second-largest crypto, wasn't included in the SEC's case against Coinbase or the dozen "crypto asset securities" listed in the SEC's lawsuit against Binance.

Why Did the SEC Exclude Bitcoin?

It's essential to ponder why Bitcoin is exempted from SEC's scrutiny. Given its decentralized nature and the absence of a governing entity, Bitcoin doesn't fit the classic definition of security, as described in the Howey Test.

This test, a guideline set by the court, determines whether certain transactions qualify as 'investment contracts.' In simple terms, if an investment opportunity involves investing money in a common enterprise with the expectation of profit from the work of others, it is likely a security. However, Bitcoin does not fulfill these criteria, thereby escaping the classification as a security.

On the other hand, many altcoins have been issued in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), resembling how securities are offered to the public. Consequently, they fall under the SEC's purview as per the Howey Test.

Ether's initial launch could have classified it as a security, but the network's current decentralized nature likely puts it in a similar category to Bitcoin.

However, such a clear-cut categorization is not always possible. For instance, the status of Ripple's XRP is currently under debate in the SEC lawsuit, suggesting that the line between what is considered a security and what isn't can be incredibly blurry in the crypto world.

Read More: Ripple V/S SEC Battle

The SEC's ambiguity on what constitutes security in the crypto context aggravates the issue. It underscores the need for comprehensive guidelines that protect investors and allow for industry growth.

The absence of such clarity risks putting the US at a disadvantage, potentially preventing innovation and growth in a rapidly evolving industry.

The Road Ahead

In examining the potential effects of this shift, we must consider how tighter regulations may impact various industry stakeholders.

First, crypto exchanges like Coinbase would likely bear the brunt of compliance costs, as they would need to register with the SEC, a move restricting their ability to list new cryptos. This, in turn, could discourage innovation in the space.

Second, for existing crypto holders, their assets could be deemed securities retrospectively. This could result in the delisting of many cryptos from US exchanges, causing significant disruption and loss of value.

Conversely, stricter regulation could also steer more institutional investors into crypto, attracted by the regulatory clarity and added security. This could promote mainstream adoption and overall market stability.

In the aftermath of this extraordinary confrontation between a leading crypto exchange and the SEC, the crypto industry is uncertain. Labeling other cryptos as securities could show in stricter compliance requirements and potentially change business models.

The end of this saga might mark a new phase in the crypto world, characterized by tighter regulations and increased scrutiny.

However, the road ahead is still unclear, leaving industry players, regulators, and lawmakers grappling with the question – What does the future of crypto regulation in the US hold?