Litigation Tracker

An overview of major litigation cases in crypto. Main page includes a general list with available docket links and press releases.

WARNING: THIS SITE IS NO LONGER BEING MAINTAINED.

IT IS BEING KEPT ALIVE HERE FOR HISTORICAL/REFERENCE PURPOSES FOR THE TIME BEING.

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Although this page is frequently updated and contains what the authors believe are most of the cases involving crypto in the designated sections, new actions are frequently filed. You should always conduct your own research and, as relevant, retain your own counsel before making any legal decisions.

SEC

SEC Color Key

The below color keys indicate the theories of liability advanced by the government in various types of proceedings. The major theories (i.e., most commonly asserted) are listed, with some references to less common also listed.

🟥 = Fraud (F)

🟦 = Market Manipulation (MM)

🟧 = Initial Coin Offering (ICO) / Unregistered Sale (US)

🟩 = Anti-Touting (AT)

🟪 = Control Person / Aiding and Abetting (CP)

🟫 = Unregistered Broker or Dealer (UBD)

🟨 = Unregistered Exchange / Clearinghouse (UEC)

  • Unregistered - Exchange - Exchange Act § 5 (15 USC § 78e)

  • Unregistered Clearinghouse - Exchange Act § 17A(b) (15 USC § 78q-1(b))

⭕️ = Other:

  • Petition to compel subpoena responses.

  • Deficiencies in attempted registration

  • Revocation of registered securities

  • Unregistered digital asset security exchange

  • Purchase/sale of security-based swaps in violation of Securities Act § 5(e), and effecting transactions in those swaps outside of registered exchanges in violation of Exchange Act § 6(l).

CFTC

CFTC Color Key

The below color keys indicate the theories of liability advanced by the government in various types of proceedings. The major theories (i.e., most commonly asserted) are listed, with some references to less common also listed.

🟥 = Fraud (F)

🟦 = Market Manipulation (MM)

🟧 = KYC/CIP/AML Failures (KYC) –

🟩 = Off-Exchange Transactions (OET)

  • Illegal off-exchange retail swaps, CEA § 2(e) (7 USC § 2(e))

  • Conducting off-exchange futures transactions with non-eligible contract participants or eligible commercial entities, CEA § 4(a) (7 USC § 6(a))

  • Illegal off-exchange commodity options, CEA § 4c(b) and Regulation 32.2 (7 USC § 6c(b), 17 CFR § 32.2)

🟪 = Control Person / Aiding and Abetting (CP)

  • Failing to act in good faith or knowingly inducing acts constituting violations of the Act, CEA § 13(b) (7 U.S.C. § 13(b))

🟫 = Unregistered (UR)

⭕️ = Other

DOJ / Criminal

DOJ / Criminal Color Key

The below color keys indicate the theories of liability advanced by the government in various types of proceedings. The major theories (i.e., most commonly asserted) are listed, with some references to less common also listed.

🟥 = Fraud (F)

🟦 = Money Laundering (ML)

🟧 = Forfeiture (FF)

⭕️ = Other

Misc Fed/State

Challenges

The Challenges section involves cases where the plaintiff is suing the government, usually an administrative agency, for relief of some kind.

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