Prometheum 尋求託管服務，SEC 審查以太坊的安全狀況

有影響力的眾議院共和黨人對 Prometheum 可能將 ETH 歸類為證券感到擔憂，已致函 SEC 主席 Gary Gensler，要求澄清此事。這封信由 48 名國會議員簽署，信中認為 ETH 不是證券，將其列為證券可能會對加密產業產生不利後果。這項請求是在 Prometheum 準備啟動 ETH 託管業務之際提出的，引發了人們對美國如何監管數位資產的擔憂。

SEC Scrutinizes Legal Classification of Ethereum as Security by Prometheum

SEC 審查 Prometheum 將以太坊視為證券的法律分類

In a bold move that has rattled the cryptocurrency industry, influential House Republicans have demanded clarification from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler regarding the legal status of Ethereum (ETH) in light of its purported designation as a security by Prometheum Inc.

頗具影響力的眾議院共和黨人採取了一項震驚加密貨幣行業的大膽舉措，要求美國證券交易委員會(SEC) 主席加里·根斯勒(Gary Gensler) 就以太坊(ETH) 的法律地位作出澄清，因為Prometheum Inc. 聲稱將其指定為證券。

In a letter signed by 48 members of Congress, including House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Penn.), the lawmakers express grave concerns about the potential implications of Prometheum's plan to offer custodial services for ETH under a regulatory regime that does not explicitly permit such activity.

在一封由48 名國會議員簽署的信中，包括眾議院金融服務委員會主席帕特里克·麥克亨利（北卡羅來納州共和黨人）和農業委員會主席格倫·“GT”·湯普森（賓夕法尼亞州共和黨人），議員們對金融服務的潛在影響表示嚴重擔憂。Prometheum 計劃在沒有明確允許此類活動的監管制度下為 ETH 提供託管服務。

"We are confronted with an alarming scenario in which a special purpose broker-dealer (SPBD) has announced its intent to offer custodial services for ETH under a framework that precludes such activity," the letter states. "This action, if allowed to proceed, could have irreparable consequences for the digital asset markets."

信中指出：“我們面臨著令人震驚的情況，一家特殊目的經紀交易商（SPBD）宣布打算在禁止此類活動的框架下為 ETH 提供託管服務。” “如果允許這一行動繼續進行，可能會對數位資產市場產生無法彌補的後果。”

At the heart of the dispute lies the question of whether ETH qualifies as a security under U.S. law. Securities, as defined by the Supreme Court in the seminal case of SEC v. W.J. Howey Co., are investment contracts that involve an investment of money, an expectation of profits, and reliance on the efforts of a third party.

爭議的核心在於 ETH 是否符合美國法律規定的證券資格。根據最高法院在 SEC v. W.J. Howey Co. 的開創性案件中的定義，證券是涉及金錢投資、利潤預期以及對第三方努力的依賴的投資合約。

Proponents of the security characterization argue that ETH meets these criteria, particularly in light of its proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, which rewards validators for their participation in securing the network. This mechanism, they contend, resembles the dividend-like payments promised by traditional securities.

安全特徵的支持者認為 ETH 符合這些標準，特別是考慮到其股權證明共識機制，該機制獎勵驗證者參與保護網路安全。他們認為，這種機制類似於傳統證券所承諾的類似股利的支付。

Conversely, opponents of this classification maintain that ETH is a commodity, akin to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which are primarily used for speculative purposes and lack the characteristics of traditional securities.

相反，這種分類的反對者認為，ETH 是一種商品，類似於比特幣和其他加密貨幣，主要用於投機目的，缺乏傳統證券的特徵。

The SEC has not explicitly classified ETH as a security, but its actions have hinted at a possible shift in its stance. In 2018, the agency's former Director of Corporation Finance, William Hinman, suggested that ETH could be considered a security at the time of its initial coin offering (ICO), but that its subsequent evolution might lead to a different classification.

SEC 尚未明確將 ETH 歸類為證券，但其行動暗示其立場可能發生轉變。 2018 年，該機構前公司財務總監 William Hinman 表示，ETH 在首次代幣發行 (ICO) 時可以被視為一種證券，但其隨後的演變可能會導致不同的分類。

More recently, the SEC has taken enforcement actions against cryptocurrency projects that it alleges were unregistered securities offerings. These actions have raised concerns that the agency may be moving towards a broader crackdown on the cryptocurrency industry.

最近，美國證券交易委員會對加密貨幣項目採取了執法行動，據稱這些項目是未經註冊的證券發行。這些行動引發了人們的擔憂，即該機構可能正在對加密貨幣行業進行更廣泛的打擊。

The potential classification of ETH as a security by Prometheum has far-reaching implications for the crypto industry. If allowed to proceed, it could undermine the industry's argument that existing SEC rules are overly burdensome and stifle innovation. On the other hand, if the SEC intervenes to prevent Prometheum's operations, it could send a chilling message to other crypto firms seeking to operate within the regulatory framework.

Prometheum 將 ETH 潛在分類為證券對加密產業有深遠的影響。如果允許繼續進行，可能會削弱業界的觀點，即現有的 SEC 規則過於繁瑣並扼殺創新。另一方面，如果 SEC 進行幹預以阻止 Prometheum 的運營，則可能會向其他尋求在監管框架內運營的加密貨幣公司發出令人不寒而栗的信息。

Meanwhile, Congress has been working to address the regulatory uncertainty surrounding the crypto industry. Several legislative proposals have been introduced in both the House and Senate, but progress has been slow. The House has passed a few bills related to crypto regulation, but the Senate has yet to take up any legislation on the matter.

與此同時，國會一直在努力解決圍繞加密產業的監管不確定性。眾議院和參議院均提出了多項立法提案，但進展緩慢。眾議院已經通過了一些與加密貨幣監管相關的法案，但參議院尚未就此事進行任何立法。

In their letter, the House Republicans urge the SEC to provide clear guidance on the classification of ETH and to work with Congress to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto industry.

眾議院共和黨人在信中敦促 SEC 就 ETH 的分類提供明確的指導，並與國會合作為加密行業製定全面的監管框架。

"Allowing one market participant and regulation by enforcement to dictate the future of digital asset regulation is unacceptable," the lawmakers wrote. "We urge the SEC to engage with Congress and the crypto industry to develop a clear and workable regulatory framework that fosters innovation while protecting investors."

立法者寫道：“允許一個市場參與者和執法監管來決定數位資產監管的未來是不可接受的。” “我們敦促美國證券交易委員會與國會和加密貨幣行業合作，制定一個明確且可行的監管框架，以促進創新，同時保護投資者。”

The SEC has declined to comment on the matter, but it is expected to provide a response to the lawmakers. Prometheum has also declined to comment.

美國證券交易委員會拒絕就此事發表評論，但預計將向立法者做出回應。 Prometheum 也拒絕置評。

The legal battle over ETH's classification is expected to play out in the courts and in the halls of Congress. The outcome of these proceedings will have a profound impact on the future of the cryptocurrency industry in the United States.

關於 ETH 分類的法律鬥爭預計將在法庭和國會大廳展開。這些訴訟的結果將對美國加密貨幣產業的未來產生深遠影響。