SEC and Investor.gov Alert on Crypto Asset Interest Accounts Published by SEC: February 14, 2022
The SEC and Investor.gov have issued an important bulletin to educate investors about the potential risks of interest-bearing accounts for crypto assets. As cryptocurrencies and digital assets grow in popularity, understanding these risks is crucial for informed investing. Please see below for a brief summary.
Understanding the Risks
These interest-earning accounts for crypto assets are fundamentally different from traditional bank deposits. Here’s what you need to know:
Different from Bank Deposits
Interest-bearing accounts for crypto assets might seem akin to traditional bank or credit union accounts, but they lack similar safety measures. Unlike banks and credit unions, which are regulated by federal and state authorities and have strict limits on risk-taking with deposited funds, crypto asset accounts don’t offer the same level of security. Banks and credit unions also benefit from FDIC and NCUA insurance, which protects deposits up to a certain limit, ensuring that depositors can access their money even if the institution fails.
Additionally, while traditional securities accounts with U.S.-registered brokers are often insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) against broker failure, this insurance doesn’t cover market value losses, most crypto assets, or unregistered investment contracts. In contrast, crypto asset accounts lack such protections, meaning they don’t offer the same security and safety level as bank or credit union deposits.
Lack of Insurance Protections
Crypto asset accounts are not insured by organizations like the SIPC, which protects traditional securities accounts. This means there’s no safety net against losses or company insolvency, unlike in the traditional banking sector.
Key Risks in Crypto Investments
Investing in crypto assets through interest accounts carries several risks, including:
- Market volatility and liquidity issues.
- Risk of company failure.
- Regulatory changes impacting crypto asset usage.
- No guaranteed recovery in fraud or default cases.
- Potential for fraud and technical vulnerabilities.
Investor Caution Advised
This bulletin underscores that crypto asset interest accounts do not offer the same security as bank deposits. Investors should approach these with caution, understanding the high-risk nature of these products.
