The SEC has charged crypto exchange Bittrex Inc and former CEO William Shihara with operating an unregistered national securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency.
The SEC also charged Bittrex’s foreign affiliate, Bittrex Global GmbH, for failing to register as a national securities exchange.
- Bittrex said it would vigorously defend the SEC’s allegations in court.
- The crypto firm claims that securities were not offered or traded on its platform and that it did not offer products that were investment contracts.
- Earlier this year, Bittrex announced it would close its U.S. operations effective April 30, citing regulatory uncertainty.
- Bittrex’s non-U.S. operations are based in Liechtenstein.
