The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is expanding its crackdown on on illegal activities involving cryptocurrencies by focusing on the activities of investment advisers, according to a report on the website Politico.
Politico reported that probe is targeting how advisers are storing cryptocurrencies, the vulnerability of crypto to hackers and possible price manipulation.
“Typically, after a sweep of this type, the SEC staff will publish its findings and observations, and that can provide very helpful guidance for advisers as they consider their compliance obligations,” Politico quoted Gail Bernstein, the top lawyer for a DC-based investment advisory trade group, as saying.
The problem is the latest in a series of actions by the SEC and the U.S. Commodities Futures Tradition Commission as they assert control over alleged illegal activity involving blockchain-based currencies and tokens.