Crypto Is Here To Stay—Even The SEC Can’t Do Anything About It, Analyst Says

The US markets have witnessed a significant surge in digital coin adoption, with millions of Americans now holding tokens in their wallets. An outright ban on crypto is increasingly implausible, given the widespread ownership and integration into trading platforms, payment apps, and Wall Street firms. Blocking the sector abruptly would be nearly impossible, yet leaving it unregulated exposes everyday investors to risks.

Bloomberg columnist Matt Levine argues that banning crypto is no longer feasible. The sheer scale of adoption—tens of millions of holders—means such a move WOULD disrupt financial ecosystems and drive innovation offshore. The SEC, under former Chair Gary Gensler, previously treated most tokens as securities, effectively rendering crypto 'illegal' in the US. This stance alienated developers and investors alike.

Levine notes the SEC now faces a constrained choice: regulate crypto in a way that balances oversight with industry growth. The dual nature of crypto—as both a utility for networks and an investment vehicle—complicates regulatory efforts. The path forward hinges on pragmatic frameworks that acknowledge crypto's permanence while mitigating risks.