DeFi Protocol SushiSwap Drops Nearly 20% After SEC vs. Uniswap Lawsuit

The decentralized finance (DeFi) sector faced significant turbulence this week, particularly SushiSwap, a notable DeFi protocol, which saw its token SUSHI plummet by over 18%.

This decline occurred after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a Wells Notice against Uniswap, hinting at possible regulatory changes for similar platforms.

FTX and Alameda Research Transfers SushiSwap Native Token SUSHI

Central to the SEC’s scrutiny is the debate over whether DeFi platforms should be regulated as securities brokers. Consequently, this has impacted other tokens in the sector, with SUSHI experiencing sharp declines.

Operators of DeFi platforms argue that they merely provide technology facilitating crypto transactions without direct oversight. However, the SEC seems inclined to apply traditional financial regulations to these platforms.

This regulatory clash is crucial for DeFi’s future in the US. D.Jur. Nicola Massella, a legal expert at STORM Partners, told BeInCrypto that the resolution of SEC vs. Uniswap will be a watershed moment.

“It will not only clarify the juridical nature of DeFi platforms but also set a precedent that could either foster innovation and growth within the sector or impose significant constraints under the guise of consumer protection and market integrity,” Massella said.

Moreover, market dynamics must have also been influenced by recent transactions where FTX and Alameda Research moved 2.7 million SUSHI tokens, approximately worth $3.9 million, to Binance. Since late October 2023, these entities have transferred substantial volumes of SUSHI to various centralized exchanges (CEX), with 1.4 million Sushi tokens still held in decentralized wallets.

Read more: SushiSwap (SUSHI) Price Prediction 2024/2025/2030

Sushi Price Performance. Source: TradingView

Furthermore, the crypto community has rallied in support of the Uniswap and DeFi ecosystems in general during this period of regulatory uncertainty. Industry leaders, including Brian Armstrong of Coinbase and Kathryn Haun of Haun Ventures, have criticized the SEC’s approach, calling it “regulation by enforcement.”

Armstrong emphasized the sector’s need for unity, especially before the November election. He has been actively promoting organizations that seek clearer cryptocurrency regulations.

Read more: Crypto Regulation: What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks?

Similarly, Dave Ripley, CEO of Kraken, and Adam Cochran of Cinneamhain Ventures have expressed their concerns. They describe the SEC’s targeting of Uniswap as an overreach that could harm innovation within the cryptocurrency sector.