Genesis to Pay SEC $21M Penalty to Settle Charges Over Gemini Earn Product

The settlement comes days after a New York judge denied motions by Genesis and crypto exchange Gemini to stop the SEC case.

AccessTimeIconMar 19, 2024 at 1:51 p.m. UTC
Updated Mar 19, 2024 at 1:53 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now
  • Genesis Global Capital will pay $21 million as a civil penalty in a settlement with the SEC that has now been formalized.
  • The SEC will not receive any "portion of the penalty until after payment of all other allowed claims," the regulator said in a statement.

Bankrupt crypto lender Genesis Global Capital has agreed to a final judgment ordering it to pay $21 million to settle charges with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for violating securities laws for its role with the now-defunct Gemini Earn program, the SEC announced Tuesday.

The settlement comes days after a New York judge denied motions by Genesis and crypto exchange Gemini to stop the SEC case filed in January 2023 from moving forward. Genesis and two affiliates had filed for bankruptcy shortly after the SEC charges.

In February 2024, Genesis said in court documents it had agreed with the SEC to settle the charges for $21 million, and it appears the deal has now been finalized.

Critically, the SEC will not receive any "portion of the penalty until after payment of all other allowed claims by the bankruptcy court," the announcement said.

“Today’s settlement builds on previous actions to make clear to the marketplace and the investing public that crypto lending platforms and other intermediaries need to comply with our time-tested securities laws," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler in a statement.

Edited by Nikhilesh De.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

Amitoj Singh

Amitoj Singh is a CoinDesk reporter.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.