Cryptocurrency trade CoinEx has been sued by the New York Legal professional Common, Letitia James, alleging the agency falsely represented itself as an trade because of failing to register as a securities and commodities broker-dealer within the state.
A 38-page petition filed by James within the New York Supreme Court docket on Feb. 22 alleged CoinEx “engaged in repeated and protracted fraudulent practices” and violated the state’s Martin Act — thought-about one of the vital strict anti-fraud and securities regulation legal guidelines in the US.
She additionally asserted CoinEx listed varied tokens that certified as “each commodities and securities” naming Amp (AMP), LBRY Credit (LBC), Rally (RLY) and Terra (LUNA).
When crypto platforms disregard our legal guidelines, they put New Yorkers in danger.
We’re in search of to cease @coinexcom from working in New York and can proceed to guard folks from the risks of the cryptocurrency trade.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) February 22, 2023
In a Feb. 22 assertion, James mentioned CoinEx isn’t registered with the Securities and Change Fee (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Buying and selling Fee (CFTC) “as is required beneath New York legislation” to promote the tokens.
The Legal professional Common’s Workplace created a CoinEx account with a New York-based pc and web handle and alleged it was in a position to commerce on the platform.
“The times of crypto corporations like CoinEx performing like the principles don’t apply to them are over,” she added.
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The petition additionally states that CoinEx did not adjust to a Dec. 22, 2022 subpoena despatched by the Legal professional Common’s Workplace with a purpose to “present testimony regarding the digital asset buying and selling actions of its platform.”
“CoinEx was compelled by subpoena to look for an examination beneath oath on January 9, 2023, and failed to look […] CoinEx’s non-appearance is prima facie proof that CoinEx has engaged within the [mentioned] fraudulent practices.”
Within the petition, James is in search of a court docket order to cease CoinEx from advertising itself as an trade, forestall it from working within the state and can order the trade to geo-block web addresses and GPS location knowledge originating from New York.
Cointelegraph contacted CoinEx for remark however didn’t obtain a direct response.