CFTC vs SEC: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 80% of crypto not securities?

    70%-80% of BTC and ETH commodities are non Securities CFTC clarifies
    CFTC chairman citing Illinois court argues CTFC have regulatory and oversight authority over digital assets.

As an experienced financial analyst, I believe that the recent statements made by CFTC chairman Rostin Behnam regarding the classification of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as non-securities is a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies. The Illinois court case ruling further reinforces this perspective, adding legitimacy to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) oversight of these digital assets.


As a researcher studying the cryptocurrency market over the past few months, I’ve observed numerous legal disputes that have left observers pondering the implications for specific digital assets. A prime example is the ongoing Ripple case, which has fueled debate about XRP‘s classification as a security.

The ongoing disputes between cryptocurrency firms and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pose a substantial hurdle for investors in the digital currency sector.

In an unexpected announcement, CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam indicated that Bitcoin, Ethereum, and roughly 70-80% of cryptocurrencies do not qualify as securities.

CFTC Digital Commodities

At a hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, Behnam presented his views on the categorization of electronic assets within the cryptocurrency sector. In his testimony, he expressed his perspective on this matter.

Approximately 70-80% of the value in the Bitcoin economy, as determined by market capitalization, does not fall under the jurisdiction of federal securities regulations. In simpler terms, around 70-80% of the assets in this economy are considered non-securities and thus, do not receive direct oversight from regulatory bodies.

The Illinois Court Case

In the ongoing dispute regarding the regulatory classification of the majority of cryptocurrencies in the legal sphere, the chairperson of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced that a court in Illinois has determined that Bitcoin and Ether fall under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Exchange Act as commodities.

He continued to maintain that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CTFC) categorizes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and other digital assets as commodities. This distinction offers a new viewpoint on these assets, which are typically regarded as securities in other contexts.

Behnam revealed the details of the court’s decision, positing that,

Last week, a district court in Illinois ruled in my favor, CTFC, in a case against an unregistered entity accused of fraudulent promises of consistent returns using digital assets like Bitcoin and Ether. The judgment confirmed, according to the Commodities Exchange Act (CEA), that Bitcoin and Ether are classified as commodities.

CFTC vs SEC 

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed an intriguing discrepancy between the perspectives of two regulatory bodies in the US regarding digital assets like Bitcoin. While the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has consistently argued that these assets fall under its jurisdiction as securities, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) holds a different viewpoint. The CFTC sees digital assets more as commodities, which aligns with its mandate to oversee the trading of commodities.

Based on the perspective of SEC chairman Gary Gensler, numerous cryptocurrencies qualify as securities when assessed against the Howey test. According to Gensler’s interpretation, if an entity or individual is marketing tokens with the expectation that buyers will make profits, this arrangement can be classified as a security.

Thus, based on the SEC’s argument, most cryptocurrencies can be classified as security.

Behnam argues that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CTFC) holds the power to manage and monitor digital commodities. Therefore, he urged Congress to pass crypto regulations promptly, expressing concerns over investor safety and potential loss of competitiveness for the US in the global market if no action is taken.

Implications for the crypto Market

The clarification made by the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CTFC) has generated interest and enthusiasm among influential figures in the cryptocurrency sector. For example, HEXscout, who manages portfolios for Hex and PulseChain, expressed his delight on X by announcing:

“Reaching this point is a notable achievement for our community. The recent court decision recognizing that Ethereum, the foundation upon which PulseChain is built, does not qualify as a security, marks a significant victory.”

Read Ethereum’s [ETH] Price Prediction 2024-2025

As a financial analyst, I would explain that the distinction of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) being classified as commodities instead of securities holds significant consequences. One major implication is the reduced regulatory oversight since commodities are subject to less regulation compared to securities. This flexibility enables more autonomy in market activities, potentially fostering innovation and growth within the crypto space.

In the end, the treatment of digital assets as commodities paves the way for advanced market growth by fostering innovation and ensuring a fluid trading environment.

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2024-07-11 15:04