CFTC Abolishes No-Deny Settlement Policy in Crypto Enforcement Cases

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has made a significant change to its approach to settlement agreements in crypto enforcement cases. The agency has rescinded its no-deny settlement policy, which had barred settlements when a defendant publicly denied the agency's allegations.

The CFTC argued that retaining this policy could mislead the public into thinking the agency was avoiding scrutiny. By abolishing the policy, the agency now has more room to craft settlements that fit the realities of contemporary enforcement, where public statements and ongoing litigation can diverge from negotiated outcomes.