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SEC Enforcement of Cryptocurrency Dropped 30% in the Last Year of the Gensler Administration

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2 years ago

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Enforcement during Gensler administration was considerably higher than during the previous administration

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brought 33 cryptocurrency-related enforcement actions in 2024, the last year of the Chair Gary Gensler’s administration, according to a Cornerstone Research report released today. This number is 30% lower than the high reached in 2023 and marks the first year-over-year decline since 2021.

The report, SEC Cryptocurrency Enforcement: 2024 Update, found that, of the 33 enforcement actions, half were brought in September and October, ahead of the presidential election in early November. The SEC brought 25 litigations in U.S. district courts and eight administrative proceedings in 2024. Compared to 2023, the number of litigations slightly decreased, while administrative proceedings declined by more than 50%. Monetary penalties imposed reached a record high of $4.98 billion, largely attributable to one multi-billion-dollar settlement.

“The SEC has continued to focus on its implementation of the Howey test,” said Abe Chernin, a Cornerstone Research vice president and cohead of the firm’s FinTech practice. “In 2024, the SEC also concentrated on enforcement actions alleging market manipulation or failures to register as a broker-dealer.”

The report also compares the Gensler administration to that of Jay Clayton, the SEC chair during the first Trump administration (May 4, 2017–December 23, 2020). Under Chair Gensler (April 17, 2021–December 31, 2024), the SEC initiated 125 cryptocurrency-related enforcement actions, compared to 70 under Chair Clayton. Of those, Chair Gensler resolved 98 while Chair Clayton resolved 50. The Gensler administration imposed $6.05 billion in monetary penalties, nearly four times the $1.52 billion imposed under Chair Clayton.

“Despite the drop in number of enforcement actions in 2024, cryptocurrency remained a top priority during Chair Gensler’s final year,” said Simona Mola, the report’s author and a principal at Cornerstone Research. “Since 2018, cryptocurrency has represented, on average, approximately 6% of the SEC’s overall enforcement efforts in terms of actions initiated. We will be watching how enforcement may change in 2025, in light of the SEC’s recently announced crypto task force.”

The analysis further found that 66% of all enforcement actions brought under Chair Gensler contained allegations of fraud, compared to 54% of actions brought under Chair Clayton. Conversely, 71% of Clayton administration actions contained unregistered securities offering violations, compared to 63% during the Gensler administration.

Additional Highlights

Of all 2024 cryptocurrency-related SEC actions, 73% alleged fraud, while 58% alleged an unregistered securities offering violation, and 39% alleged both.Fourteen actions alleged market manipulation or failure to register as a broker-dealer, an increase compared to prior years.Eight enforcement actions were related to initial coin offerings (ICOs), and one was related to nonfungible tokens (NFTs).The SEC charged 90 defendants—57 individuals and 33 firms—in 2024 enforcement actions. Approximately 21% of actions were against individuals only, down from 36% in 2023.The SEC continued to recognize self-reporting, cooperation, or remedial efforts of five of the nine respondents charged in administrative proceedings. In one administrative proceeding, the SEC imposed no monetary penalties because of remedial efforts and cooperation.Since 2013, when the SEC brought its first cryptocurrency-related enforcement action, through 2024, the SEC brought 207 enforcement actions, including 135 litigations and 72 administrative proceedings. Of the 207 actions brought since 2013, 47% have been related to ICOs.

Cornerstone Research’s Cryptocurrency Enforcement Database contains cryptocurrency-related enforcement actions brought by the SEC between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2024.

About Cornerstone Research
Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial consulting and expert testimony in all phases of complex disputes and regulatory investigations. The firm works with an extensive network of prominent academics and industry practitioners to identify the best-qualified expert for each assignment. With a reputation for high quality and effectiveness, Cornerstone Research has consistently delivered rigorous, state-of-the-art analysis since 1989. The firm has more than 1,000 professionals in nine offices across the United States, UK, and EU.

Media Contact

Elisabeth Gaubinger, Cornerstone Research, 202.912.8909, egaubinger@cornerstone.com, https://www.cornerstone.com/

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SOURCE Cornerstone Research

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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30 minutes ago

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October 24, 2026

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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October 24, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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October 24, 2026

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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