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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the establishment of the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU) to combat cyber-related misconduct and protect retail investors in the evolving digital landscape. The new unit, led by Laura D’Allaird, replaces the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit and consists of approximately 30 fraud specialists and attorneys from multiple SEC offices. Acting SEC Chairman Mark T. Uyeda highlighted the significance of CETU’s role in strengthening enforcement while allowing innovation to flourish. He stated: Under Laura’s leadership, this new unit will complement the work of the Crypto Task Force led by Commissioner Hester Peirce. Importantly, the new unit will also allow the SEC to deploy enforcement resources judiciously. He further emphasized CETU’s broader mission: “The unit will not only protect investors but will also facilitate capital formation and market efficiency by clearing the way for innovation to grow. It will root out those seeking to misuse innovation to harm investors and diminish confidence in new technologies.” CETU will focus on various priority areas, including fraud involving artificial intelligence and machine learning, cyberattacks aimed at obtaining nonpublic information, and scams conducted through social media, the dark web, or fraudulent websites. The unit will also target fraudulent blockchain and crypto asset schemes, unauthorized takeovers of retail brokerage accounts, and compliance failures related to cybersecurity regulations. Additionally, CETU will monitor public issuers for misleading disclosures about cybersecurity risks. The SEC’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation has shifted since Gary Gensler’s departure, with a more crypto-friendly stance emerging under the leadership of Uyeda. The Acting Chair has taken steps to foster innovation in the crypto industry, including the formation of a dedicated Crypto Task Force led by Commissioner Peirce. The task force recently outlined 10 priorities aimed at providing clearer regulatory guidance and promoting responsible crypto growth. This approach aligns with Trump’s broader vision of establishing the United States as the global leader in cryptocurrency, a stark contrast to the restrictive policies under Gensler’s tenure. 免责声明：本文章仅代表作者个人观点，不代表本平台的立场和观点。本文章仅供信息分享，不构成对任何人的任何投资建议。用户与作者之间的任何争议，与本平台无关。如网页中刊载的文章或图片涉及侵权，请提供相关的权利证明和身份证明发送邮件到[email protected]，本平台相关工作人员将会进行核查。

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is downsizing and rebranding its crypto enforcement unit, signaling a shift away from its aggressive crackdown on the industry. Once nearly doubled under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, the SEC’s crypto task force unit will now shrink to around 20 specialists and focus on broader financial crimes, including AI-related fraud and cybersecurity threats. The move comes as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) prepares to audit the agency for wasteful spending. Previously called the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit, the scaled back SEC division is now the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit, according to a Feb. 20 press release . In 2022, former SEC Chair Gary Gensler said that the crypto task force was almost doubling to 50 people. In the recent press release, the securities regulator said that the renamed unit will only include “approximately 20 fraud specialists and attorneys across multiple SEC offices.” The overhauled unit will also clear the way for “innovation to grow,” said Acting Chair Mark Uyeda in a statement. “It will root out those seeking to misuse innovation to harm investors and diminish confidence in new technologies,” he added. Although the unit will still hunt for “fraud involving blockchain technology and crypto assets,” it will also watch for unlawful uses of artificial intelligence (AI), hacks and other cybersecurity crimes. The change in the SEC’s crypto unit comes shortly after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, announced that it will audit the SEC for any wasteful spending and potential fraud. Although DOGE has not given a specific date for when the audit will be performed, the scaling back of the SEC’s crypto unit could be a proactive move on the regulator’s part with DOGE expected to show up in the next few days. The shift away from aggressive enforcement action in the crypto space also aligns with US President Donald Trump’s campaign promises to make the US the “crypto capital” of the world.

The SEC’s newly formed Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU) marks a significant escalation in the agency’s efforts to combat cryptocurrency fraud. Announced on February 20, 2025, CETU replaces the previous Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit, expanding its scope to address the growing wave of scams targeting retail investors in the crypto space. With high-profile incidents like Argentine President Javier Milei’s alleged “rug pull” and meme coin launches by the Trump family fresh in mind, the unit aims to root out bad actors exploiting blockchain technology for illicit gains. Led by Laura D’Allaird, CETU will leverage a team of 30 fraud specialists and attorneys to investigate and prosecute misconduct, focusing on areas like market manipulation and hacking of crypto assets. This initiative signals a tougher stance on crypto crime, promising to enhance investor protection while fostering legitimate innovation in the sector. The SEC’s Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda emphasized that CETU will “clear the way for innovation to grow” by eliminating fraudulent practices that undermine trust in digital currencies. Artificial intelligence-driven fraud is another key battleground for the SEC’s new Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit. As AI tools become more sophisticated, scammers are using machine learning and generative AI to create convincing social media scams, fake websites, and phishing schemes targeting unsuspecting investors. CETU’s expanded mandate includes combating these advanced threats, ensuring that emerging technologies aren’t misused to perpetrate financial fraud. The unit’s focus on AI scams comes at a critical time, as the rapid adoption of AI in finance has opened new vulnerabilities. By deploying its team’s substantial fintech and cyber expertise, CETU aims to stay ahead of bad actors using AI to manipulate markets or deceive investors. This proactive approach is expected to bolster cybersecurity in the financial sector, protecting retail investors from the next wave of tech-driven misconduct. Beyond crypto and AI, CETU’s broader mission includes enhancing cybersecurity across all emerging technologies, from blockchain to cloud computing. The unit will address compliance issues and cyber-related threats that could erode trust in financial markets, such as data breaches and unauthorized access to digital assets. This holistic approach reflects the SEC’s recognition that cybersecurity is integral to maintaining market efficiency and investor confidence. Under Laura D’Allaird’s leadership, CETU will complement the work of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, to create a robust defense against cyber threats. By prioritizing areas like dark web fraud and social engineering attacks, the unit aims to create a safer environment for innovation while holding perpetrators accountable. This move is seen as a game-changer for the SEC’s enforcement capabilities in an increasingly digital world. The launch of CETU underscores the SEC’s commitment to balancing technological innovation with robust regulation. While emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and 5G offer transformative potential, they also introduce new risks that require vigilant oversight. CETU’s mandate includes facilitating capital formation and market efficiency by clearing out fraudulent actors, allowing legitimate projects to thrive without fear of misconduct tarnishing their reputation. Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda highlighted that CETU will “root out those seeking to misuse innovation to harm investors,” ensuring that emerging tech sectors can grow sustainably. By targeting specific threats like AI-driven fraud and crypto market manipulations, the unit aims to build a foundation of trust that encourages investment in cutting-edge technologies. This strategic focus positions the SEC as a forward-thinking regulator in the digital age.

The SEC announced 📣 the creation of a cyber and emerging technologies unit to protect retail investors✅.

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