Law & Policy

Last week in crypto regulation (December 2–8):

1/ Donald Trump confirmed Paul Atkins as his pick for SEC Chair and announced David Oliver Sacks as the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.”

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Head of web3&crypto practice at Buzko Krasnov law firm

2/ Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky pleaded guilty to two counts in a federal indictment.

2/ Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky pleaded guilty to two counts in a federal indictment.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/celsius-founder-and-former-ceo-alexander-mashinsky-pleads-guilty-multi-billion-dollar

3/ On December 6, 2024, French authorities officially questioned Telegram founder Pavel Durov for the first time.

3/ On December 6, 2024, French authorities officially questioned Telegram founder Pavel Durov for the first time.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/telegram-founder-pavel-durov-questioned-paris-court-report

4/ The UK FCA issued a warning against pump.fun, leading to local users losing access to the platform.

4/ The UK FCA issued a warning against pump.fun, leading to local users losing access to the platform.
https://www.fca.org.uk/news/warnings/pumpfun

5/ The UK’s NCA dismantled Russian networks Smart and TGR for laundering money through cryptocurrencies, resulting in 84 arrests.

5/ The UK’s NCA dismantled Russian networks Smart and TGR for laundering money through cryptocurrencies, resulting in 84 arrests.
https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/operation-destabilise-nca-disrupts-multi-billion-russian-money-laundering-networks-with-links-to-drugs-ransomware-and-espionage-resulting-in-84-arrests

6/ Andreessen Horowitz published a report titled “A few of the things we’re excited about in crypto (2025).”

6/ Andreessen Horowitz published a report titled “A few of the things we’re excited about in crypto (2025).”
https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/big-ideas-crypto-2025/

7/ The ECB released its second report on progress toward launching the digital euro.

7/ The ECB released its second report on progress toward launching the digital euro.
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/digital_euro/progress/html/ecb.deprp202412.en.html

8/ Florida Blockchain Business Association proposed creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve in Q1 2025.

8/ Florida Blockchain Business Association proposed creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve in Q1 2025.
https://x.com/samuelarmes/status/1864059964928442424

9/ Grayscale Investments submitted an application to the SEC to convert the GSOL trust into a spot Solana ETF.

9/ Grayscale Investments submitted an application to the SEC to convert the GSOL trust into a spot Solana ETF.
https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/nyse-arca/rule-filings/filings/2024/SR-NYSEArca-2024-110.pdf

10/ The SEC rejected applications for spot Solana ETFs from at least two counterparties.
https://x.com/EleanorTerrett/status/1864874666445152672

11/ WisdomTree filed an S-1 application with the SEC to register a spot XRP ETF.

11/ WisdomTree filed an S-1 application with the SEC to register a spot XRP ETF.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2046791/000121465924019800/wtxrp112224s1.htm

1/ Donald Trump confirmed Paul Atkins as his pick for SEC Chair and announced David Oliver Sacks as the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.”
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113595807734621827
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113603133222686186