Prometheum 寻求托管服务，SEC 审查以太坊的安全状况

有影响力的众议院共和党人对 Prometheum 可能将 ETH 归类为证券感到担忧，已致函 SEC 主席 Gary Gensler，要求澄清此事。这封信由 48 名国会议员签署，信中认为 ETH 不是一种证券，将其列为证券可能会对加密行业产生不利后果。这一请求是在 Prometheum 准备启动 ETH 托管业务之际提出的，引发了人们对美国如何监管数字资产的担忧。

SEC Scrutinizes Legal Classification of Ethereum as Security by Prometheum

SEC 审查 Prometheum 将以太坊视为证券的法律分类

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.

颇具影响力的众议院共和党人采取了一项震惊加密货币行业的大胆举措，要求美国证券交易委员会 (SEC) 主席加里·根斯勒 (Gary Gensler) 就以太坊 (ETH) 的法律地位作出澄清，因为 Prometheum Inc. 声称将其指定为证券。

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 名国会议员签署的信中，包括众议院金融服务委员会主席帕特里克·麦克亨利（北卡罗来纳州共和党人）和农业委员会主席格伦·“GT”·汤普森（宾夕法尼亚州共和党人），议员们对金融服务的潜在影响表示严重担忧。 Prometheum 计划在没有明确允许此类活动的监管制度下为 ETH 提供托管服务。

"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：“我们面临着令人震惊的情况，一家特殊目的经纪交易商（SPBD）宣布打算在禁止此类活动的框架下为 ETH 提供托管服务。” “如果允许这一行动继续进行，可能会对数字资产市场产生无法弥补的后果。”

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.

争议的核心在于 ETH 是否符合美国法律规定的证券资格。根据最高法院在 SEC 诉 W.J. Howey Co. 的开创性案件中的定义，证券是涉及金钱投资、利润预期以及对第三方努力的依赖的投资合同。

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.

安全特征的支持者认为 ETH 符合这些标准，特别是考虑到其股权证明共识机制，该机制奖励验证者参与保护网络安全。他们认为，这种机制类似于传统证券所承诺的类似股息的支付。

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，这种分类的反对者认为，ETH 是一种商品，类似于比特币和其他加密货币，主要用于投机目的，缺乏传统证券的特征。

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 尚未明确将 ETH 归类为证券，但其行动暗示其立场可能发生转变。 2018 年，该机构前公司财务总监 William Hinman 表示，ETH 在首次代币发行 (ICO) 时可以被视为一种证券，但其随后的演变可能会导致不同的分类。

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，美国证券交易委员会对加密货币项目采取了执法行动，据称这些项目是未经注册的证券发行。这些行动引发了人们的担忧，即该机构可能正在对加密货币行业进行更广泛的打击。

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 将 ETH 潜在分类为证券对加密行业具有深远的影响。如果允许继续进行，可能会削弱业界的观点，即现有的 SEC 规则过于繁琐并扼杀创新。另一方面，如果 SEC 进行干预以阻止 Prometheum 的运营，则可能会向其他寻求在监管框架内运营的加密货币公司发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.

与此同时，国会一直在努力解决围绕加密行业的监管不确定性。众议院和参议院均提出了多项立法提案，但进展缓慢。众议院已经通过了一些与加密货币监管相关的法案，但参议院尚未就此事进行任何立法。

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.

众议院共和党人在信中敦促 SEC 就 ETH 的分类提供明确的指导，并与国会合作为加密行业制定全面的监管框架。

"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."

立法者写道：“允许一个市场参与者和执法监管来决定数字资产监管的未来是不可接受的。” “我们敦促美国证券交易委员会与国会和加密货币行业合作，制定一个明确且可行的监管框架，以促进创新，同时保护投资者。”

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.

美国证券交易委员会拒绝就此事发表评论，但预计将向立法者做出回应。 Prometheum 也拒绝置评。

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.

关于 ETH 分类的法律斗争预计将在法庭和国会大厅展开。这些诉讼的结果将对美国加密货币行业的未来产生深远影响。