SEC Sues Another Crypto Project and Its "Market Maker" For Alleged Market Manipulation

Hydrogen Technology and Moonwalkers Trading have come under the SEC's hammer for selling tokens using airdrops and bounty programs while funding its project in 2018.
Dot
January 22, 2023
Trust Akpobome

Trust has been a freelance editor and writer for various publications in the last 2 years. His major interests are in the wild world of Blockchain, cryptocurrency, and the Metaverse.

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SEC Crest; Photo Source: Reuters

The U.S SEC is suing Hydrogen and Market Maker, Moonwalkers Trading, with the CEOs of the two companies. The commission accuses Hydrogen of market manipulation using Moonwalkers Trading and selling its Hydro Tokens using airdrops and bounty programs while funding its project in 2018. Though Hydrogen didn't use an initial coin offering (ICO), the commission still accused the firm of offering unregistered securities. 

While many crypto enthusiasts assume token airdrops are immune to federal securities laws, the SEC insists that companies cannot avoid the securities laws using compensations, bounties, or other similar methods.

SEC Sues Another Crypto Project and Its "Market Maker" For Alleged Market Manipulation

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Contents
SEC Crest; Photo Source: Reuters

The U.S SEC is suing Hydrogen and Market Maker, Moonwalkers Trading, with the CEOs of the two companies. The commission accuses Hydrogen of market manipulation using Moonwalkers Trading and selling its Hydro Tokens using airdrops and bounty programs while funding its project in 2018. Though Hydrogen didn't use an initial coin offering (ICO), the commission still accused the firm of offering unregistered securities. 

While many crypto enthusiasts assume token airdrops are immune to federal securities laws, the SEC insists that companies cannot avoid the securities laws using compensations, bounties, or other similar methods.

Trust Akpobome

Trust has been a freelance editor and writer for various publications in the last 2 years. His major interests are in the wild world of Blockchain, cryptocurrency, and the Metaverse.

The U.S SEC is suing Hydrogen and Market Maker, Moonwalkers Trading, with the CEOs of the two companies. The commission accuses Hydrogen of market manipulation using Moonwalkers Trading and selling its Hydro Tokens using airdrops and bounty programs while funding its project in 2018. Though Hydrogen didn't use an initial coin offering (ICO), the commission still accused the firm of offering unregistered securities. 

While many crypto enthusiasts assume token airdrops are immune to federal securities laws, the SEC insists that companies cannot avoid the securities laws using compensations, bounties, or other similar methods.

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Trust Akpobome