The US Securities and Exchange Commission has unveiled a new Division of Enforcement unit that will focus on combating crypto-related fraud and cybercrime.

SEC announced the new unit’s formation on Feb. 20. In a press release, the SEC said it had created the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU).

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has unveiled a new Division of Enforcement unit that will focus on combating crypto-related fraud and cybercrime.

SEC announced the new unit’s formation on Monday.

In a press release, the SEC said it had created the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU). Its task will be to fight cyber-related crimes within the burgeoning emerging technologies space.

SEC’s new unit to complement crypto task force

CETU replaces the SEC’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit (CACU). Its core work will be to handle compliance with a view to protecting retail investors.

Laura D’Allaird will lead the CETU team of about 30 fraud specialists and attorneys, the regulator announced. The press release also noted these specialists and attorneys will come from across several SEC offices.

SEC’s acting chair Mark T. Uyeda said the unit is set to complement the effort of the agency’s recently launched Crypto Task Force. Announced in January 2015, the task force is led by Commissioner Hester Peirce.

Uyeda noted that CETU’s work will “allow the SEC to deploy enforcement resources judiciously.”

He added:

“The unit will not only protect investors but will also facilitate capital formation and market efficiency by clearing the way for innovation to grow. It will root out those seeking to misuse innovation to harm investors and diminish confidence in new technologies.”

Priority areas for the new unit will include fraud committed via crypto, blockchain, AI and Machine Learning, social media, the dark web, or fake websites. Hackers will also be on the radar of the new unit, as will be incidents involving the takeover of retail brokerage accounts.

The SEC is also empowering the enforcement unit to look into non-compliance with cybersecurity regulations.