Consensys 對 SEC 加密貨幣打擊行動提出法律挑戰

在長達 34 頁的訴訟中，Consensys 辯稱 SEC 試圖對以太坊行使管轄權的行為是非法的，並且威脅到區塊鏈技術。美國證券交易委員會的行動，包括向與以太坊基金會相關的實體發出傳票以及針對以太坊進行質押，因缺乏明確的監管指導而招致了行業批評。 Consensys 的投訴旨在將以太坊確立為非證券，將 MetaMask 確立為非經紀交易商，並阻止 SEC 將以太坊作為證券進行調查。該訴訟是更廣泛的加密行業策略的一部分，旨在挑戰 SEC 在第五巡迴上訴法院的行動，並可能尋求最高法院的審查。

SEC's Aggressive Crypto Enforcement Campaign Faces Legal Challenge from Consensys

SEC 積極的加密執法活動面臨 Consensys 的法律挑戰

Consensys, a leading blockchain technology company, has filed a comprehensive 34-page lawsuit against the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), alleging that the agency's efforts to assert jurisdiction over Ethereum constitute an illegal overreach that threatens the very fabric of blockchain technology.

領先的區塊鏈技術公司Consensys 已對美國證券交易委員會(SEC) 提起長達34 頁的全面訴訟，指控該機構對以太坊主張管轄權的行為構成了非法越權行為，威脅到了區塊鏈技術的本質。

In its complaint, Consensys argues that the SEC's assertion that Ethereum is a security is not only erroneous but also poses a grave danger to the Ethereum network and the broader blockchain ecosystem.

Consensys 在投訴中認為，美國證券交易委員會關於以太坊是一種證券的說法不僅是錯誤的，而且對以太坊網路和更廣泛的區塊鏈生態系統構成了嚴重危險。

Unlawful Seizure of Authority

非法奪取權力

Consensys contends that the SEC's attempt to regulate Ethereum as a security is a clear violation of the law. The complaint states that "the SEC's unlawful seizure of authority over ETH would spell disaster for the Ethereum network, and for Consensys. Every holder of ETH, including Consensys, would fear violating the securities laws if he or she were to transfer ETH on the network. This would bring use of the Ethereum blockchain in the United States to a halt, crippling one of the internet's greatest innovations."

Consensys 認為，美國證券交易委員會試圖將以太坊作為一種證券進行監管，這明顯違反了法律。起訴書指出，「SEC 非法奪取ETH 的權力，會為以太坊網路和Consensys 帶來災難。包括Consensys 在內的每個ETH 持有者，如果他或她在網路上轉移ETH，都會擔心違反證券法。

Gensler's Aggressive Enforcement Campaign

Gensler 積極的執法行動

The lawsuit comes amid an increasingly aggressive enforcement campaign by the SEC against leading companies in the cryptocurrency sector. Chair Gary Gensler has led this campaign, which has included a series of subpoenas and Wells Notices targeting firms and developers associated with the Ethereum Foundation.

這次訴訟發生之際，美國證券交易委員會對加密貨幣領域的領先公司採取了越來越積極的執法行動。主席加里·詹斯勒 (Gary Gensler) 領導了這項活動，其中包括一系列針對與以太坊基金會相關的公司和開發商的傳票和威爾斯通知。

Industry Anger and Lack of Clarity

業界的憤怒和缺乏清晰度

Gensler's tactics have drawn the ire of many in the crypto industry, who argue that the SEC has failed to provide clear regulatory guidance tailored to the unique characteristics of blockchain technology. Gensler has dismissed these concerns, asserting that existing securities laws are sufficient and that the industry should simply comply with them.

Gensler 的策略引起了加密行業許多人的憤怒，他們認為 SEC 未能針對區塊鏈技術的獨特特徵提供明確的監管指導。 Gensler 駁回了這些擔憂，聲稱現有的證券法已經足夠，業界只需遵守這些法律即可。

Ethereum's Non-Security Status

以太坊的非安全狀態

The controversy over Ethereum is particularly contentious given the SEC's prior statements that Ethereum, like Bitcoin, is not a security. In 2018, a senior SEC official declared that Ethereum had become "sufficiently decentralized" to fall outside the agency's jurisdiction. Furthermore, the agency approved Ethereum futures trading last year, implicitly acknowledging Ether's status as a commodity.

鑑於美國證券交易委員會先前聲明以太坊與比特幣一樣不是證券，因此有關以太坊的爭議尤其有爭議。 2018 年，一名 SEC 高級官員宣稱，以太坊已經“充分去中心化”，不屬於該機構的管轄範圍。此外，該機構去年批准了以太坊期貨交易，含蓄地承認了以太坊作為商品的地位。

Gensler's Recent Focus on Staking

Gensler 最近對 Stake 的關注

Despite these precedents, Gensler has recently shifted his focus to Ethereum's staking feature as a potential basis for asserting jurisdiction. Staking, introduced in September 2022, replaced energy-intensive mining with a system where validators pledge collateral to participate in the validation process.

儘管有這些先例，Gensler 最近將注意力轉向以太坊的質押功能，作為主張管轄權的潛在基礎。 2022 年 9 月推出的質押，以驗證者承諾抵押品參與驗證過程的系統取代了能源密集型挖礦。

Consensys' Preemptive Lawsuit

Consensys 的先發制人訴訟

Consensys' lawsuit follows the SEC's issuance of a Wells Notice earlier this month, indicating the agency's intent to sue. Additionally, the SEC contacted Consensys via phone, alleging that its MetaMask platform was operating as an unlicensed broker dealer due to its staking functionality.

Consensys 提起訴訟之前，美國證券交易委員會本月稍早發布了威爾斯通知，表明該機構打算提起訴訟。此外，SEC 透過電話聯繫了 Consensys，聲稱其 MetaMask 平台由於其質押功能而作為未經許可的經紀交易商運作。

MetaMask and Staking

MetaMask 和質押

Consensys vigorously disputes the SEC's characterization of MetaMask. The company argues that the platform merely facilitates Ethereum staking on behalf of users, a process that involves pledging collateral to become a validator. Consensys founder Joe Lubin called the SEC's theory that staking transforms Ethereum into a security "preposterous."

Consensys 強烈質疑 SEC 對 MetaMask 的描述。該公司辯稱，該平台只是代表用戶促進以太坊質押，這個過程涉及質押抵押品以成為驗證者。 Consensys 創辦人 Joe Lubin 稱 SEC 認為 stake 將以太坊轉變為證券的理論「荒謬」。

Lubin's Concerns

盧賓的擔憂

Lubin further expressed concern that Gensler's legal position is part of a broader strategy to stifle crypto growth and block pending applications for spot ETFs based on Ethereum, following the success of Bitcoin ETFs. He accused the SEC of attempting "to regulate a technology on its merits," "stifle certain kinds of innovation," and prevent capital from flowing into the crypto ecosystem.

Lubin 進一步表示擔心，Gensler 的法律立場是繼比特幣 ETF 成功之後遏制加密貨幣增長並阻止基於以太坊的現貨 ETF 待決申請的更廣泛戰略的一部分。他指責美國證券交易委員會試圖“根據技術的優點對其進行監管”，“扼殺某些類型的創新”，並阻止資本流入加密生態系統。

Legal Strategy

法律策略

Consensys has filed its lawsuit in Texas, aligning with the crypto industry's strategy of seeking favorable rulings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has historically been more skeptical of agency overreach. A favorable judgment could pave the way for an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Consensys 已在德克薩斯州提起訴訟，這符合加密貨幣行業在美國第五巡迴上訴法院尋求有利裁決的策略，該法院歷來對機構越權持懷疑態度。有利的判決可能為向最高法院上訴鋪平道路。

Potential Remedies

潛在的補救措施

Beyond declaring Ethereum a non-security, Consensys' lawsuit also seeks to obtain rulings that MetaMask is not a broker dealer, that the SEC is violating the Administrative Procedures Act and the due process clause of the Constitution, and that the SEC be barred from investigating Ethereum as a security.

除了宣布以太坊為非證券之外，Consensys 的訴訟還尋求獲得有關 MetaMask 不是經紀交易商、SEC 違反《行政程序法》和憲法正當程序條款以及禁止 SEC 調查的裁決以太坊作為一種證券。