Binance and the SEC’s 60-Day Pause: A Regulatory Shift?

The legal battles between the SEC and crypto platforms have become commonplace, but a 60-day pause in the Binance case surprises observers. In a climate of rising tensions around crypto regulation, this joint decision represents a strategic shift. At the origin of this development is the establishment of a Crypto Task Force within the SEC, an initiative that could reshape the authorities’ approach towards the industry. This moratorium suggests two scenarios: a tightening of the rules or a willingness for a more structured compromise with market actors.

A judicial suspension motivated by the Crypto Task Force

On February 10, 2025, the SEC and Binance filed a joint motion with U.S. courts, as both entities are requesting the temporary suspension of their litigation. In this official request, both parties emphasize the necessity of allowing time for the SEC’s new Crypto Task Force to assess the regulatory implications of the case. “The work of this task force could impact and facilitate the resolution of this matter,” specifies the legal document.

Behind this decision is a key player: Mark Uyeda, acting chairman of the SEC, who took the reins of the agency on January 20. His arrival marks a reconfiguration of the dialogue between regulators and crypto businesses. This pause could thus allow for a redirection of the judicial approach and an exploration of alternative solutions before the trial resumes.

Towards a precedent for other ongoing cases ?

The initiative by Binance and the SEC may inspire other companies in the sector to follow the same strategy. Actors like Ripple, Coinbase, or Kraken, also in litigation with the SEC, may be tempted to request similar delays. Eleanor Terrett, a journalist for FOX Business, highlights in a post on the social network X (formerly Twitter) on February 11, 2025, “that this is the first pause granted in a crypto case since Uyeda’s appointment.”

This moratorium also relies on the figure of Hester Peirce, nicknamed “Crypto Mom”, who heads the Crypto Task Force. Known for her critical stance towards the SEC’s repressive methods, she has pointed out “the legal imprecision and commercial inconsistency” of current regulatory actions. Her leadership suggests a possible overhaul of the legislative framework and, potentially, a more balanced approach towards crypto companies.

Thus, while this suspension does not imply any immediate resolution, it opens a new negotiation space between Binance and the SEC. The final decision will depend on the work of the Crypto Task Force, but also on the political and economic developments surrounding crypto in the United States. One thing is for sure: this 60-day break will be closely scrutinized by the entire industry, which sees it either as a mere reprieve or the beginning of a more structured dialogue with regulators.