Cryptocurrency trade CoinEx has been sued by the New York Legal professional Basic, Letitia James, alleging the agency falsely represented itself as an trade because of failing to register as a securities and commodities broker-dealer within the state.
A 38-page petition filed by James within the New York Supreme Courtroom on Feb. 22 alleged CoinEx “engaged in repeated and chronic fraudulent practices” and violated the state’s Martin Act — thought-about some of the strict anti-fraud and securities regulation legal guidelines in america.
She additionally asserted CoinEx listed numerous tokens that certified as “each commodities and securities” naming Amp (AMP), LBRY Credit (LBC), Rally (RLY) and Terra (LUNA).
When crypto platforms disregard our legal guidelines, they put New Yorkers in danger.
We’re searching for to cease @coinexcom from working in New York and can proceed to guard individuals from the hazards of the cryptocurrency trade.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) February 22, 2023
In a Feb. 22 assertion, James stated CoinEx just isn’t registered with the Securities and Trade Fee (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Buying and selling Fee (CFTC) “as is required underneath New York regulation” to promote the tokens.
The Legal professional Basic’s Workplace created a CoinEx account with a New York-based pc and web handle and alleged it was capable of commerce on the platform.
“The times of crypto corporations like CoinEx appearing like the principles don’t apply to them are over,” she added.
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The petition additionally states that CoinEx did not adjust to a Dec. 22, 2022 subpoena despatched by the Legal professional Basic’s Workplace with a purpose to “present testimony regarding the digital asset buying and selling actions of its platform.”
“CoinEx was compelled by subpoena to seem for an examination underneath oath on January 9, 2023, and failed to seem […] CoinEx’s non-appearance is prima facie proof that CoinEx has engaged within the [mentioned] fraudulent practices.”
Within the petition, James is searching for a court docket order to cease CoinEx from advertising itself as an trade, forestall it from working within the state and can order the trade to geo-block web addresses and GPS location information originating from New York.
Cointelegraph contacted CoinEx for remark however didn’t obtain a direct response.
