Examining the impact of COVID-19 on cryptocurrency enforcement in the United States

ABSTRACT

This chapter examines how COVID-19 has impacted cryptocurrency enforcement at the state level. This author employs a qualitative single case study method and investigates the cryptocurrency enforcement actions of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2020. The data were collected from SEC cryptocurrency press releases and public statements. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has brought 28 enforcement actions against companies and individuals in the crypto industry in 2020 regarding the three types of cryptocurrency enforcement actions and trading suspensions (trading suspension, litigation, and administrative proceeding). Among them, litigation is the most common type of cryptocurrency enforcement action taken by the SEC. This author concludes that the law enforcement agencies in the United States faced several challenges before and during the pandemic. Finally, the author suggests some measures that law enforcement agencies can take to address the above challenges. © 2021, IGI Global.