FINRA is investigating communications of crypto firms

Quick Take

  • U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is probing communications of crypto firms.
  • Results from the investigation may inform recommendations on regulation.

An American regulatory body has begun an examination of crypto communications practices, following the collapse of the FTX exchange.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which regulates member brokerage firms and exchange markets, is asking some companies to “provide all retail communications,” according to an announcement made earlier this week.

This includes "video, social media, mobile applications, and websites” within the examination period between the beginning of July and the end of September. Companies will also need to file compliance and training manuals, as well as review and approval processes. 

The examination includes 20 FINRA member firms, a FINRA spokesperson told The Block.

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Regulators like FINRA conduct “sweeps,” or targeted examinations like this one, to gather information that is used to “pinpoint a regulatory response to emerging issues,” FINRA’s website says. FINRA’s inquiries are limited to a small number of firms in order to “reduce the regulatory burden on the majority of firms,” the organization added on its website.

The move toward regulating crypto communication follows a globally watched meltdown of one of the world’s biggest crypto exchanges. FTX and other crypto firms dominated advertising at the Super Bowl earlier this year, targeting retail users.

This story was updated with the number of firms confirmed by FINRA.


© 2023 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

About Author

Inbar is a reporter covering crypto policy and regulation with a focus on Europe. Before The Block, she worked with several publications in Brussels including The Parliament Magazine and Are We Europe. Inbar holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from University College Utrecht and a master's degree in international politics from KU Leuven.

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