SEC Scales Back Crypto Enforcement as Legal Actions Drop Under Trump Administration

Regulatory pressure on the US crypto sector has eased sharply since President Donald Trump returned to office. Enforcement priorities at the Securities and Exchange Commission have shifted, with crypto firms now facing far fewer legal actions than in previous years.

SEC Denies Political Influence as Digital Asset Cases Are Dropped

A report published on Sunday by The New York Times shows the SEC has dismissed or paused nearly 60% of its crypto-related cases since January, signaling a clear change in approach. Enforcement remains active across equities, bonds, and other traditional markets, but crypto cases have seen a higher rate of withdrawals and delays. Digital asset firms now account for a large share of matters set aside or dropped entirely, according to the report.

Several high-profile lawsuits point to the pullback. Long-running cases against Ripple Labs and Binance, once viewed as central to the SEC’s crypto enforcement efforts, have slowed. Court records show reduced activity, extensions, or dismissals tied to shifting internal priorities.

Reporting indicates that no active SEC cases currently target companies with known links to Trump. That detail has raised questions about impartiality, though SEC officials denied political influence, saying decisions are based on legal and policy considerations. No evidence has surfaced that Trump personally ordered any case to be dropped.

Industry Denies Political Motives Behind SEC’s Reduced Crypto Oversight

Industry figures argue the shift reflects frustration with earlier enforcement tactics rather than favoritism. Alex Thorn, head of firmwide research at Galaxy Digital, said critics overlook years of what he described as uneven and aggressive regulation. Thorn added that claims of political motivation ignore pressure applied under a previous administration.

Several developments have shaped the current enforcement atmosphere:

• Nearly 60% of crypto-related SEC cases have been dismissed or paused since January.
• Major lawsuits against Ripple Labs and Binance have slowed.
• No active cases involve firms linked to Trump-related entities.
• SEC leadership denies political influence behind decisions.
• Industry figures point to long-standing regulatory inconsistency.

Trump-linked ventures have expanded their presence in digital assets throughout 2025. Projects tied to the president or his family include World Liberty Financial, the Official Trump memecoin, and American Bitcoin, a mining firm backed by Trump’s sons. Those ventures have drawn increased scrutiny as enforcement activity has slowed.

Leadership changes at the SEC may reinforce the shift. Paul Atkins, a Republican appointee seen as more market-friendly, is expected to remain chair. At the same time, the commission is set to lose its final Democratic member.

Caroline Crenshaw, whose term expired in 2024, is expected to leave in January after remaining beyond her term. Trump has not named replacements for her seat or another vacant Democratic position. Crenshaw has criticized the softer approach to crypto, warning last week that weaker oversight could expose investors to greater risk and allow instability to spread across financial markets.