Zcash News: SEC Closes Zcash Foundation Probe With No Enforcement Action

The U.S. SEC closed its Zcash Foundation probe, ending a two-year crypto review without penalties, fines, or regulatory changes.

The Zcash Foundation confirmed the U.S. SEC has officially closed its investigation without enforcement action. Therefore, the nonprofit said regulators won’t pursue charges, fines or remedies related to operations. Moreover, the decision eliminates long-term regulatory uncertainty over Zcash-linked crypto asset offerings.

SEC Ends Zcash Inquiry After Extended Regulatory Review

The investigation started with the issuance of a subpoena by the SEC on August 31, 2023. At the time, the inquiry was branded “In the Matter of Certain Crypto Asset Offerings” under the banner of an internal investigation case SF-04569. Importantly, the review centered on certain Zcash-related activities.

According to the foundation, the SEC took a look at funding models related to Zcash development. Additionally, the governance structures and the distribution of tokens were reviewed by regulators. However, the agency eventually found these elements were not worth enforcing under federal securities laws.

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The Zcash Foundation said the SEC told it that the agency does not intend to recommend any action. Specifically, the regulator said it would not recommend penalties and fines or mandated operational changes. As a result, the matter is now deemed to be completely resolved.

The probe was more than two years from the initial subpoena date. During this period, the foundation said, it cooperated with all document requests. Meanwhile, routine operations and protocol-related development continued without interruption.

In its statement, the foundation stressed openness throughout the process. Furthermore, it stated that consistent engagement with regulation also helped clarify its nonprofit structure. As a result, leadership declared the outcome of affirmative compliance.

The organization added that the closure allows renewed focus on its stated mission. Notably, that mission is focused on supporting a privacy-preserving financial infrastructure. Therefore, the development priorities are forecast to be back on track.

Zcash Market Metrics Reflect Regulatory Clarity Impact

Following the disclosure, Zcash market data was seen with slight movement upwards. At the time of reporting, ZEC was trading around $442.87 with a 1.93% rise in 24 hours. However, more general market conditions remained influential.

The market cap of Zcash was about $7.30 billion. Meanwhile, 24-hour trading volume reached around $771.24 million, reflecting consistent liquidity levels. These numbers indicated a limited yet positive response from investors.

The foundation related the resolution to larger regulatory developments. Recently, the SEC has shut down investigations into other crypto companies. For example, cases relating to Robinhood and Crypto.com have also concluded without enforcement.

These closures have been done under new SEC leadership, according to public reporting. Therefore, observers observe a potential move towards concluding legacy crypto probes. Still, it is possible to enforce where violations are found.

The Zcash Foundation reiterated its commitment to legal operations. Further, it said future initiatives would continue to focus on compliance considerations. As such, regulatory engagement is still part of its long-term strategy.

The announcement was posted via the official social media channel of the foundation. It stated that the SEC review has ended conclusively. Ultimately, the closure removes an overhang that had existed since 2023.