Mitrade Insights is dedicated to providing investors with rich, timely and most valuable financial information to help investors grasp the market situation and find timely trading opportunities.

2021

Best News & Analysis Provider

FxDailyInfo

2022

Best Forex Educational Resources Global

International Business Magazine

Insights

News

Cryptocurrencies

SEC Strikes Again: Cumberland DRW Charged For ‘Unregistered Crypto Operations’

Source Newsbtc

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stepped up its regulatory scrutiny of the crypto industry by charging Cumberland DRW LLC with operating as an “unregistered dealer”, underscoring the agency’s relentless enforcement approach that has come under increasing criticism from stakeholders and advocates in the digital asset space.

Accused Of Trading $2B In Crypto As ‘Unregistered Dealer’

In a statement released on Thursday, the SEC revealed that Chicago-based Cumberland DRW is accused of trading over $2 billion in crypto assets offered and sold as alleged “securities” in violation of federal registration requirements designed to protect investors.

The SEC’s complaint alleges that Cumberland has been engaging in these activities since at least March 2018, acting as an “unregistered dealer” by buying and selling crypto assets for its own accounts as part of its regular business operations.

According to the firm’s website, it provided “deep, reliable liquidity” in crypto assets, as well as investing in technology, claiming to have decades of experience in the field.

Cumberland DRW has publicly positioned itself as “one of the world’s leading liquidity providers” in the digital asset market, operating around the clock and executing trades with counterparties via telephone and its online platform, Marea.

Cumberland also offered spot cryptocurrency liquidity, and operations for “dozens” of cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins, for institutional investors in the market. Other services offered by the company included options and futures trading, bilateral crypto options, and non-deliverable forwards.

SEC Seeks Penalties Against Cumberland DRW

The SEC further alleges that Cumberland has been trading crypto assets treated as investment contracts on third-party exchanges. Jorge G. Tenreiro, Acting Chief of the SEC’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit, stated:

The federal securities laws require all dealers in all securities to register with the Commission, and those who operate in the crypto asset markets are no exception.

The SEC’s Head Of the digital assets divison noted that despite industry claims equating crypto asset sales to commodity sales, the SEC’s complaint asserts that Cumberland, the issuers, and investors viewed the transactions as investments in securities. Tenreiro further alleged:

Cumberland profited from its dealer activity in these assets without providing investors and the market with the important protections afforded by registration.

The SEC’s complaint was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and charges Cumberland with violating Section 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The agency is seeking permanent injunctive relief, recovery of ill-gotten gains, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties against the firm.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Recommended Articles

Bitcoin CME gaps at $35,000, $27,000 and $21,000, which one gets filled first?Prioritize filling the $27,000 gap and even try higher.

Author FXStreet

Aug 22, 2023

Prioritize filling the $27,000 gap and even try higher.

Bitcoin briefly loses 2025 gains as crypto plunges over the weekend.Bitcoin experienced a sharp decline this weekend, briefly erasing its 2025 gains and dipping below its year-opening value of $93,507. The cryptocurrency fell to a low of $93,029 on Sunday, representing a 25% drop from its all-time high in October. Although it has rebounded slightly to around $94,209, the pressures on the market remain significant. The downturn occurred despite the reopening of the U.S. government on Thursday, which many had hoped would provide essential support for crypto markets. This year initially appeared promising for cryptocurrencies, particularly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has established the most pro-crypto administration thus far. However, ongoing political tensions—including Trump's tariff strategies and the recent government shutdown, lasting a historic 43 days—have contributed to several rapid price pullbacks for Bitcoin throughout the year. Market dynamics are also being influenced by Bitcoin whales—investors holding large amounts of Bitcoin—who have been offloading portions of their assets, consequently stalling price rallies even as positive regulatory developments emerge. Despite these sell-offs, analysts from Glassnode argue that this behavior aligns with typical patterns seen among long-term investors during the concluding stages of bull markets, suggesting it is not indicative of a mass exodus. Notably, Bitcoin is not alone in its struggles, as Ethereum and Solana have also recorded declines of 7.95% and 28.3%, respectively, since the start of the year, while numerous altcoins have faced even steeper losses. Looking ahead, questions linger regarding the viability of the four-year cycle thesis, particularly given the increasing institutional support and regulatory frameworks now in place in the crypto landscape. Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, remains optimistic, suggesting a potential Bitcoin resurgence in 2026 driven by the “debasement trade” thesis and a broader trend toward increased adoption of stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance. Hougan emphasized the soundness of the underlying fundamentals, pointing to a positive outlook for the sector in the longer term.

Author Mitrade

Nov 17, 2025

Bitcoin experienced a sharp decline this weekend, briefly erasing its 2025 gains and dipping below its year-opening value of $93,507. The cryptocurrency fell to a low of $93,029 on Sunday, representing a 25% drop from its all-time high in October. Although it has rebounded slightly to around $94,209, the pressures on the market remain significant. The downturn occurred despite the reopening of the U.S. government on Thursday, which many had hoped would provide essential support for crypto markets. This year initially appeared promising for cryptocurrencies, particularly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has established the most pro-crypto administration thus far. However, ongoing political tensions—including Trump's tariff strategies and the recent government shutdown, lasting a historic 43 days—have contributed to several rapid price pullbacks for Bitcoin throughout the year. Market dynamics are also being influenced by Bitcoin whales—investors holding large amounts of Bitcoin—who have been offloading portions of their assets, consequently stalling price rallies even as positive regulatory developments emerge. Despite these sell-offs, analysts from Glassnode argue that this behavior aligns with typical patterns seen among long-term investors during the concluding stages of bull markets, suggesting it is not indicative of a mass exodus. Notably, Bitcoin is not alone in its struggles, as Ethereum and Solana have also recorded declines of 7.95% and 28.3%, respectively, since the start of the year, while numerous altcoins have faced even steeper losses. Looking ahead, questions linger regarding the viability of the four-year cycle thesis, particularly given the increasing institutional support and regulatory frameworks now in place in the crypto landscape. Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, remains optimistic, suggesting a potential Bitcoin resurgence in 2026 driven by the “debasement trade” thesis and a broader trend toward increased adoption of stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance. Hougan emphasized the soundness of the underlying fundamentals, pointing to a positive outlook for the sector in the longer term.

ECB Policy Outlook for 2026: What It Could Mean for the Euro’s Next Move With the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.

Author Mitrade

Dec 26, 2025

With the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.

Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD opens lower around $4,450 on fears of widening Iran conflicts Gold price (XAU/USD) opens over 1% lower to near $4,445.00 on Monday, as oil prices have rallied further on fears of further widening of conflicts in the Middle East. WTI Oil price is up almost 3% above $102.50 in the opening trade, increasing fears of higher inflation expectations globally.

Author FXStreet

Mar 30, Mon

Gold price (XAU/USD) opens over 1% lower to near $4,445.00 on Monday, as oil prices have rallied further on fears of further widening of conflicts in the Middle East. WTI Oil price is up almost 3% above $102.50 in the opening trade, increasing fears of higher inflation expectations globally.

Crypto Weekly Radar: All eyes on Donald Trump’s ultimatum, US macroeconomic data Crypto markets begin the week with mixed sentiment, with Bitcoin (BTC) trading above $69,000 following last week’s rebound. Still, markets remain cautious as traders weigh risks stemming from Donald Trump’s renewed threats toward Iran ahead of the ultimatum set for Tuesday.

Author FXStreet

3 hours ago

Crypto markets begin the week with mixed sentiment, with Bitcoin (BTC) trading above $69,000 following last week’s rebound. Still, markets remain cautious as traders weigh risks stemming from Donald Trump’s renewed threats toward Iran ahead of the ultimatum set for Tuesday.

Popular Symbols