On November 8, 2017, US Securities and Exchange Chairman Jay Clayton raised concerns about virtual currency offerings or so-called initial coin offerings. He noted that initial coin offerings bear many similarities to securities offerings by firms that are required to register with the SEC. However, he expressed concern that in many instances there is a significant lack of information about online platforms that list and trade the virtual coins and tokens that are offered in such initial coin offerings. Clayton highlighted the potential for misconduct, including price manipulation and trading practices. An SEC investigation into two initial coin offerings, announced in September, is ongoing. Earlier this year, the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy issued an investor alert warning about the risks associated with initial coin offerings.

Chairman Clayton's speech is available at: https://www.sec.gov/news/speech/speech-clayton-2017-11-08.

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