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Vitalik Buterin calls U.S. crypto regulatory approach ‘anarcho-tyranny’
Classifying crypto as securities and subjecting them to stringent regulations is stifling the industry’s growth, Buterin said.
2 min read
Updated: Jun. 30, 2024 at 6:17 pm UTC
TechCrunch / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr. Remixed by CryptoSlate
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has once again voiced his concerns regarding the state of cryptocurrency regulation, particularly in the US. In response to a user on Warpcast, a decentralized social media platform, Buterin highlighted a regulatory paradox that he believes is stifling the industry’s growth and integrity.
Buterin observed that the current regulatory framework tends to permit projects with vague promises and ambiguous potential returns to operate with relative freedom. And counterproductively, projects that offer transparent information about returns and clearly define investor rights are often categorized as ‘securities,’ subjecting them to stringent regulations.
In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), under chairman Gary Gensler’s leadership, has launched a series of lawsuits to classify cryptocurrencies as securities. In its latest effort, the SEC sued Consensys, alleging that its MetaMask wallet’s swapping and staking services violate securities laws.
Many in the crypto industry have criticized the SEC’s ‘legislation through litigation’ approach. In April, the Blockchain Association and the Crypto Freedom Alliance of Texas accused the SEC of regulatory overreach in a lawsuit.
The SEC’s stance on crypto, which Buterin describes as “anarcho-tyranny,” creates a perverse incentive structure that he argues is more damaging to the cryptocurrency space than either complete regulatory anarchy or strict regulatory tyranny. According to him, the SEC’s approach encourages the creation of ‘useless’ products and services.
He wrote:
“The incentive gradient that this “anarcho-tyranny” creates ends up worse for the space than either plain anarchy _or_ plain tyranny.”
He called for a shift in the regulatory approach, advocating for a scenario where issuing a token without a clear, long-term value proposition is considered riskier. In contrast, projects that provide a transparent and credible long-term plan, and adhere to best practices, should be safeguarded. It could be argued that Buterin’s suggestion makes logical sense, and would create an environment that fosters innovation of genuine products of value.
According to Buterin, achieving this balance would require earnest collaboration between regulators and the crypto industry.
Buterin has consistently emphasized the importance of clear and fair regulations. He has frequently argued that the current regulatory landscape hampers innovation and encourages dishonesty. In previous statements, he has called for a regulatory environment that supports genuine projects while protecting investors from fraudulent schemes.
His latest comments reinforce this stance, urging regulators and industry participants to engage in good-faith dialogue. Buterin believes that by working together, they can develop a regulatory framework that promotes transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth in the cryptocurrency industry.
Buterin’s advocacy for balanced regulation emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach that can foster innovation while ensuring investor protection. His insights continue to be a guiding voice in the ongoing debate about the future of crypto regulation.
Mentioned in this article
Author 
Monika Ghosh
In 2020, Monika immersed herself in crypto, maintaining skepticism yet firmly believing blockchain could address key issues like financial disparity and transparency. A book-lover, she's also a passionate food enthusiast.
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In this article
Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables the creation of smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps).
MetaMask is an extension for accessing Ethereum enabled distributed applications or “dApps” in your normal browser.
Vitalik Buterin stands as the pioneering force behind Ethereum, a transformative community-driven platform that fuels the cryptocurrency ether (ETH) and underpins a myriad of decentralized applications.
Gary Gensler is an American government official and former investment banker who President Joseph Biden nominated to chair the U.S.