The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has voluntarily dismissed its appeal to expand securities laws to decentralized finance (DeFi). This marks a significant victory for the crypto industry and may signal a potential shift in regulatory approach under new leadership.
What Just Happened?
The SEC had proposed an expanded definition of 'dealer' that would have required DeFi protocols, market makers, and liquidity providers to register as securities exchanges and brokers. This move was widely seen as an attempt to impose traditional financial rules on decentralized platforms. However, in November 2024, a Texas federal court struck down the SEC’s expanded rule, calling it 'untethered' from existing laws. Instead of continuing the legal battle, the SEC quietly withdrew its appeal in February 2025, filing a motion to dismiss in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. No opposition was raised, effectively sealing the decision.
Why Did the SEC Back Down?
The court ruling was clearly against SEC, as the court noted that the commission exceeded its authority by attempting to regulate DeFi protocols like traditional financial brokers. Continuing the appeal risked another legal defeat. Following Gary Gensler’s departure, the SEC is now led by acting Chair Mark Uyeda, with crypto-friendly Commissioner Hester Peirce leading a new Crypto Task Force. This signals a more collaborative approach rather than aggressive enforcement. The SEC’s previous approach under Gensler was criticized as an attempt to regulate by enforcement rather than establishing clear guidelines. The withdrawal suggests the agency may be rethinking its strategy. Additionally, crypto advocacy groups, including the Blockchain Association, pushed back hard against the rule. With growing political discussions around crypto regulation, the SEC may be waiting for Congress to provide clearer guidelines instead of acting unilaterally.
What This Means for Crypto and DeFi
This decision ensures that DeFi protocols, liquidity providers, and automated market makers won’t be forced to register as securities dealers—at least for now. While this dismissal is a win, it doesn’t mean the SEC is stepping away from crypto regulation entirely. Future rules could still impact the industry, but the approach may be more measured. With regulatory clarity improving, more institutional investors may enter the DeFi space, reducing fears of sudden regulatory crackdowns. Instead of lawsuits and enforcement actions, the SEC may engage with the industry to create clearer, fairer rules for DeFi and crypto. This could lead to a more stable environment for innovation.
The voluntary withdrawal of the SEC’s appeal against expanding securities laws to DeFi may indicate the beginning of a more constructive regulatory approach towards cryptocurrencies under the commission’s new leadership. This opens the possibility for clearer and fairer rules that might foster innovation in the industry.
