October 31, 2023, marked the 15th anniversary of the release of the Bitcoin whitepaper, a document that laid the foundation for the development of the Bitcoin network. Authored by Satoshi Nakamoto, the whitepaper introduced the key concepts and principles of a decentralized digital currency, sparking a revolution in finance and technology.As the cryptocurrency community celebrated this milestone, Gary Gensler, the chair of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), made an intriguing statement about Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity. Gensler wondered if Nakamoto would be recognizable if they were to dress up as themselves for Halloween, highlighting the mystery surrounding the creator of Bitcoin.Beyond the anniversary, Gensler’s statement carried a message to the crypto industry. He emphasized the importance of investor protection and compliance with securities laws. Gensler urged crypto companies to prioritize transparency and adherence to regulatory frameworks, cautioning against deceptive practices that could harm investors.Despite these calls for cooperation and compliance, the SEC has continued to take legal actions against crypto companies and exchanges, contradicting claims of a different approach.In a recent development, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that the SEC violated the Congressional Review Act (CRA) by not seeking congressional approval for its Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 (SAB 121). The bulletin requires cryptocurrency custodians to record customers’ digital assets as liabilities on their balance sheets.The GAO’s decision highlighted the SEC’s failure to follow the CRA’s provisions, which require agencies to submit a report on a rule to Congress before it can take effect. By disregarding these provisions, the SEC has violated the act and may face pressure to rectify the situation by submitting SAB 121 to Congress for review and approval.This classification of SAB 121 as a rule with regulatory implications has significant ramifications for the SEC’s authority in enforcing the bulletin’s requirements. The GAO’s decision underscores the importance of regulatory agencies following established protocols and seeking appropriate approval from Congress when implementing rules that impact the industry.

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Information	Details
Geography	North America
Countries	🇺🇸
Sentiment	neutral
Relevance Score	1
People	Eleanor Terret, Satoshi Nakamoto, Gary Gensler
Companies	United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), X (Formerly Twitter), Senate, House of Representatives
Currencies	Bitcoin
Securities	None