Chairman Jay Clayton
Commissioner Kara M. Stein
Commissioner Michael S. Piwowar
Jan. 4, 2018
We commend the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) on their release highlighting important issues and concerns related to cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings (ICOs) and other cryptocurrency-related investment products.
NASAA's release is a timely and thoughtful reminder to Main Street investors to exercise caution. The release recognizes that cryptocurrencies, while touted as replacements for traditional currencies, lack many important characteristics of traditional currencies, including sovereign backing and responsibility, and now are being promoted more as investment opportunities than efficient mediums for exchange.
The NASAA release also reminds investors that when they are offered and sold securities they are entitled to the benefits of state and federal securities laws, and that sellers and other market participants must follow these laws. Unfortunately, it is clear that many promoters of ICOs and others participating in the cryptocurrency-related investment markets are not following these laws. The SEC and state securities regulators are pursuing violations, but we again caution you that, if you lose money, there is a substantial risk that our efforts will not result in a recovery of your investment.
We encourage investors to read NASAA's release and particularly to keep in mind the common red flags of investment fraud that the release reiterates. We also encourage investors to review the SEC investor bulletins, alerts, reports, and statements linked below.