Maxine Waters Demands SEC Chair Explain Crypto Case Drops

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Maxine Waters, senior Democrat at the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, criticized SEC Chairman Paul Atkins’ crypto regulatory policies, calling for a hearing on terminated enforcement cases.

Waters questions potential legal violations and impacts on retail investors. The SEC’s approach influences U.S. crypto industry regulation, sparking debate over adequate oversight and fairness.

Waters Challenges SEC’s Crypto Case Terminations

The letter from Maxine Waters highlights that the SEC has halted or suspended critical enforcement actions against major cryptocurrency players. These cases involve well-known entities such as Coinbase, Binance, and Justin Sun. Reports suggest that certain firms announced these decisions before official SEC statements, which Waters calls “unusually active.

The SEC’s decisions could significantly alter the industry’s approach towards regulation and enforcement. The actions have sparked discourse on whether recent policy changes may bypass formal procedures. These developments are contributing to an ongoing narrative regarding regulatory direction and its alignment with investor protection.

“The SEC has terminated or stayed major enforcement actions against multiple crypto companies and individuals that had been credibly accused of major violations of our securities laws, including Coinbase, Binance, and Justin Sun.” — Maxine Waters, Ranking Democratic Member, U.S. House Financial Services Committee source

Ripple Effect on Market and Regulatory Landscape

Did you know? Waters’ questioning aligns with historical SEC policy shifts, emphasizing the continuous tension between regulatory flexibility and robust enforcement since the Trump era.

According to CoinMarketCap, XRP’s current price is $1.85, with a market cap of $111.93 billion and a 3.80% market dominance. Over the past 90 days, XRP’s value has decreased by 34.74%. Recent trading volume increased by 115.25% in 24 hours, reflecting ongoing market volatility.

xrp-daily-chart-142 — XRP(XRP), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 00:47 UTC on December 30, 2025. *Source: CoinMarketCap*

Coincu research analysts highlight the potential consequences of SEC policy changes on market confidence and structural integrity. These actions could drive a shift toward clearer guidelines. Such regulatory evolutions might encourage innovation while maintaining essential safeguards against market malpractices. More details are in the SEC Press Release – 2025 Series.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.