
Memecoin and the SEC - A Tense Legal Tug-of-War
Regulators have played a cat-and-mouse game for years, but with politicians and celebrities easily issuing Memecoins, the pressure is mounting. The SEC, CFTC, and global oversight bodies are being forced to answer a once-unthinkable question - Are these Tokens financial instruments or just internet spectacles?
The SEC has laid the groundwork for crackdowns. In 2022, Kim Kardashian was fined $1.26 million for promoting a cryptocurrency without disclosing her $250K payment. By 2024, the agency had ramped up enforcement, bringing 33 crypto-related actions - 73% alleging fraud and 58% involving unregistered securities.
However, despite these forceful moves, reports indicate a recent shift in stance. Under the current Trump administration, the SEC has begun taking a gentler approach, even agreeing to dismiss a high-profile lawsuit against Coinbase - an unexpected win for the industry.
The regulator's latest decision - that Memecoins are not securities - also opens the floodgates.
Joe McCann, Founder, CEO, and CIO at Asymmetric, sees this as a pivotal moment. In an exclusive interview with TinTucBitcoin, McCann said,
"The SEC calling Memecoins non-securities is a clear win. I was the first institutional investor trading them, witnessed Bonk 70x in '23, and see Dogecoin leading in '24. They are cultural assets - not traditional financial instruments."
McCann also noted that with Trump issuing a $75B Token that attracted over 1 million users, any public figure can follow suit without legal pushback. The current US administration's crypto-friendly policies are reducing friction, enhancing liquidity, and driving adoption.
"Could that open the floodgates? Certainly. Some will fail - like TRUMP's 83% crash - but the market will filter what survives."
Imagine that - The market filtering what survives.
Now, that could be the perfect mantra for the crypto industry, don't you think?
However, regulations outside the US remain a mixed bag. In Europe, the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) law will tighten compliance, while Hong Kong has positioned itself as a crypto-friendly hub with clearer licensing frameworks. In poorly regulated areas, Memecoins are running rampant, with no recourse for investors left holding worthless bags. For those choosing to view Memecoins as a legitimate asset class, the biggest risk is unchecked manipulation. As Kris explains,
"The biggest risk with Memecoins issued or endorsed by celebrities is market manipulation. Hype from famous figures can quickly create artificial demand and lead to speculative bubbles. Often, early buyers profit from the losses of latecomers, making them highly vulnerable to significant losses."
Regulatory steps could change that. In fact, better oversight of promotional tactics and financial disclosures by endorsers could also reduce risks.
"Enhanced monitoring of marketing tactics and transparency around the financial interests of those endorsing these coins could help protect retail investors. This approach could prevent people from being misled by exciting investments and reduce the risk of fraud, creating a safer market for all involved."
Currently, the line between marketing and market manipulation remains very thin. Without decisive action, it's only a matter of time before another high-profile scandal forces regulators to act. With the evolving nature of this space, is it already too late to intervene?
Show Me the Memecoin Money!
Memecoins are evolving into income-generating tools powered by hype, but they could be more than that.
After Donald Trump's 2025 election victory, the TRUMP and MAGA coins exploded, riding the wave of political triumph. Within weeks, they had surged triple digits, fueled by the expectation that a Trump administration would be crypto-friendly. Data shows a sudden spike in large transactions as traders placed bets around key political moments, most notably when Trump signaled openness to stablecoin regulations and blockchain-based fundraising during his campaign.
The precedent is clear - It's only a matter of time before candidates embrace a more direct approach. A Politician-backed Token could function as both a fundraising tool and a loyalty test. Unlike shadowy Super PACs, these assets would be public, tradable, and subject to market sentiment. A single policy announcement could drive prices skyward, creating a feedback loop where direct political influence translates into financial gains.
Regulators cannot - and should not - ignore this. If these Tokens operate as campaign finance instruments, they may fall under election laws. If they promise returns, securities regulations may apply. But enforcement will be a logistical nightmare, due to the decentralized, borderless nature of crypto.
Here is the English translation, with the content inside <> retained and not translated:Although there have been past pump-and-dump schemes, retail traders continue to return, lured by the promise of quick profits. If a memecoin can generate wealth, headlines, and attention simultaneously, future candidates will not just exploit this opportunity - They will turn it into a campaign strategy.
I'm thinking of the face of Francis Underwood on a memecoin logo. Only the reality seems a lot less fun.
Memecoin - What's the Future?
Memecoins are no longer just distractions. They are a preview of a world where influence itself is a tokenized asset. As politics, celebrity culture, and finance markets converge, participation is not just power, but Capital.
A future where political campaigns issue Tokens instead of soliciting donations is not far-fetched. Fans will not just support their idols; they will put real money on them. Memecoins will not just reflect trends; they will reshape markets, politics, and culture in ways we're only beginning to sense.
For some, like McCann, this change is inevitable.
"TRUMP is a way to play it straight, and Solana Memecoins give anyone a chance to tokenize their identity. These Tokens run on attention, not financials, and TradFi still doesn't understand this."
On the issue of inequality, it has two sides.
"Late comers can lose big, early adopters can profit. But a $1K USD can become $2 million USD - an opportunity you don't have with savings when inflation hits 8%. Trump's Coin has over 1 million new users - an expanding opportunity, not limited by elites. It won't solve divides, but it will redistribute wealth to the savvy, not just the connected."
This is no longer speculation. It is happening.
And whether it creates opportunity or deepens divides will depend on who learns to play this game first.