The U.S. SEC’s enforcement staff are reportedly unhappy with Chairman Gary Gensler over his “publicity stunt” concerning the recent settlement fino paid by Kim Kardashian, Fox Business Network’s Charles Gasparino reported on Oct. 5.
SCOOP (1/3): @SEC_Enforcement zaposleni se žale @GaryGensler prekršio protokol hypingom @Kim kardashian naselje, pojavljuje se na @CNBC u roku od nekoliko minuta od objavljivanja slučaja, kažu ljudi koji imaju direktna saznanja @FoxBusiness. Oni to nazivaju "javnim štosom"
- Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) Oktobar 5, 2022
According to Gasparino, the regulator’s staff complained that Gensler violated protocol by using media attention to prop his reputation for the Treasury Secretary position.
The staff allegedly said:
“Gensler stealthily approached CNBC for his appearance and created a video on the settlement… [an] unusual move for chairs which usually allow staff to take credit for actions and pursue broader issues.”
Gensler’s media appearance
SEC chairman Gary Gensler released a video on Oct. 3 when news emerged that the commission had fined Kim Kardashian over her promotion of Ethereum Max. In the video, Gensler said celebrity endorsements of investment opportunities do not mean “those investment products are right for all investors.”
Danas @SECGov, optužili smo Kim Kardashian za nezakonito reklamiranje kripto sigurnosti.
Ovaj slučaj je podsjetnik da, kada poznate ličnosti/influenceri podržavaju investicijske akcije, uključujući vrijednosne papire kripto imovine, to ne znači da su ti investicijski proizvodi pravi za sve investitore.
- Gary Gensler (@GaryGensler) Oktobar 3, 2022
The SEC chair further appeared on CNBC the same day to discuss the enforcement case.
Before the recent case, the SEC chair had granted media interviews where he pozvan most crypto assets securities. Additionally, Gensler had previously released social media videos where he pozvao crypto firms to come in and talk to the commission.
SEC faces backlash
The crypto community has lashed the SEC’s inconsistent enforcement against the industry.
Vocal Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff criticized the SEC for failing to fine MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor while fining Kardashian. Saylor, in his defense, stated that Bitcoin is not a security.
#Bitcoin je roba, a ne hartija od vrednosti. Promicanje robe slično je promoviranju čelika, aluminija, betona, stakla ili granita. BTC mreža je otvoreni protokol, koji nudi utilitarne pogodnosti slične putevima, prugama, radiju, telefonu, televiziji, internetu ili engleskom jeziku.
- Michael Saylor⚡️ (@saylor) Oktobar 3, 2022
Another community member pointed out that the commission had failed to go after politicians like Nancy Pelosi, who is faced with allegations of insider trading.
SEC će ići na Kim Kardashian zbog šilinga kriptovalute, ali ne i na Nancy Pelosi za insajdersku trgovinu do sto miliona dolara https://t.co/i0bZKjaxjJ
— Dr. Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA Esq. (@ParikPatelCFA) Oktobar 3, 2022
Meanwhile, some wondered why Kardaishan was singled out among all of Ethereum Max’s promoters. The pump and dump project had other celebrity promoters like Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and Paul Pierce. The three are currently facing a class action tužba over their promotion of the token.
Source: https://cryptoslate.com/sec-staff-reportedly-unhappy-with-gensler-over-kim-kardaishan-publicity-stunt/