|

Terra's Do Kwon files lawsuit against SEC while analysts turn bullish on LUNA

  • The SEC overstepped its jurisdiction and subpoenaed Terraform Lab's CEO on his way to "Mainnet 2021" summit in New York. 
  • CEO Do Kwon's and Terraform's attorneys argued the subpoena was an improper attempt by the SEC outside of their jurisdiction. 
  • Do Kwon and Terraform Labs first worked with the SEC in May 2021, participating voluntarily in a five-hour interrogation.

Do Kwon, Terraform Labs CEO, was served a subpoena by the SEC while appearing at Messari's Mainnet conference. According to Do Kwon and Terraform Labs' lawsuit against the SEC, the regulatory agency lacks jurisdiction over the plaintiffs. 

Terraform v. SEC proceedings ensue as analysts turn bullish on LUNA price.

In May 2021, the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) contacted Do Kwon to talk about the operation of Mirror Protocol and Terraform Labs' association with the company. The Terraform Labs CEO met with the SEC lawyers voluntarily and answered questions in a five-hour-long interrogation. 

The SEC asked Terraform Labs to produce documents related to the subject, and the back and forth was on. The breaking point arrived in September 2021: while still conversing with Terraform's representatives, the SEC subpoenaed CEO Do Kwon, serving documents to Messari's Mainnet launch event. 

Court filings have confirmed that Do Kwon was served with two subpoenas at Messari's Mainnet conference in September. The Terraform Labs founder and CEO is now suing the SEC over the subpoenas and overstepping their jurisdiction. 

Kwon's lawsuit challenges the subpoenas, saying they were

improperly issued and served by the SEC and the SEC's failure to keep confidential an investigation into the "Mirror Protocol."

Further, the filings note that on September 15, 2021, the SEC's attorneys had stated that enforcement action was warranted. Five days later, the CEO was subpoenaed at the summit event. 

Kwon is a resident of South Korea, and while the SEC's rules state that investigations are confidential, the agency served a subpoena through "Cavalier Courier and Process Service" to an event with over 2000 attendees. 

The court filing reads:

Hiring a "Cavalier" process to approach Mr. Kwon in public and announce the purpose of his approach, at a summit attended by more than 2,000 people was, at worst, an intentionally brazen display meant to publicly intimidate and embarrass, and at best reckless, creating social media and press speculation about the incident within minutes of the attempted service of process.

In contrast to the SEC's investigation and the ongoing lawsuit, analysts have revealed a bullish outlook on LUNA price. The native asset of the platform posted over 23% in gains last week. 

Pseudonymous cryptocurrency analyst @Trader_XO predicts LUNA will rank in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. The analyst has set a target of $50 for the asset. 

Author

Ekta Mourya

Ekta Mourya

FXStreet

Ekta Mourya has extensive experience in fundamental and on-chain analysis, particularly focused on impact of macroeconomics and central bank policies on cryptocurrencies.

More from Ekta Mourya
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

Avalanche struggles near $12 as Grayscale files updated form for ETF

Avalanche trades close to $12 by press time on Wednesday, extending the nearly 2% drop from the previous day. Grayscale filed an updated form to convert its Avalanche-focused Trust into an ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Bitcoin slips below $87,000 as ETF outflows intensify, whale participation declines

Bitcoin price continues to trade around $86,770 on Wednesday, after failing to break above the $90,000 resistance. US-listed spot ETFs record an outflow of $188.64 million on Tuesday, marking the fourth consecutive day of withdrawals.

Michael Selig assumes role as new CFTC Chair, what does this mean for crypto?

Michael Selig has been sworn in to serve as the 16th Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Selig was confirmed by the US Senate to head the commission last week, following his October nomination by the US President Donald Trump.

Crypto.com hires sports trader for event prediction market-making

Crypto.com plans to recruit a quant trader for the sports market-making team to buy and sell financial contracts related to these events. Opponents argue that internal trading desks put operators or their affiliates on the opposite side of customer trades. 

Orange Juice Newsletter – Smart insights by real people. Every day.

A free newsletter highlighting key market trends to help traders stay a step ahead. Daily insights on the most relevant trading topics, compiled by our experts in an easy-to-read format so you never miss an important move.

Bitcoin: Fed delivers, yet fails to impress BTC traders

Bitcoin (BTC) continues de trade within the recent consolidation phase, hovering around $92,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors digest the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) cautious December rate cut and its implications for risk assets.