Hinman Emails: SEC Officials' Input on 2018 Ether Speech Revealed

Newly revealed William Hinman emails show that several US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officials had input on the 2018 speech that said ether (ETH) was not a security. On J, documents related to former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) corporate finance chief William Hinman’s 2018 speech have been unsealed, including internal SEC communications.

These newly released emails, dated June 13, shed light on internal discussions among multiple SEC officials who deliberated over whether to classify ETH as a security. A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission official wanted to say that the agency did “not see a need to regulate Ether” as it was offered in 2018, read an email.

Hinman sent the email to several senior SEC officials, including Lucas Moskowitz, Sean Memon, Raquel Fox, Brett Redfearn, and Dalia Blass, as well as other staff members. The emails show that some officials suggested tying the speech closer to the Howey Test, and that SEC officials met with Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, apparently to discuss the technology and its implications. Several of the officials’ emails suggested tying the speech closer to the Howey Test. The emails also indicated that SEC officials met with Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin.

Un correo electrónico del 12 de junio de Laura Jarsulic, abogada de la Oficina del Asesor General de la SEC, hizo referencia al caso histórico de la Corte Suprema, indicating the legal framework being considered. The Hinman emails provide critical insight into the SEC's thought process surrounding cryptocurrency regulation and offer a glimpse into the discussions shaping the agency's stance on Ether.