Unicoin Accuses SEC of Weaponizing Regulation Against Crypto Innovation
Unicoin has taken a firm stance against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), filing a motion to dismiss the regulator’s lawsuit and accusing it of constructing a "fabricated narrative." The digital asset company argues that the SEC’s case is based on misleading interpretations and selectively presented evidence that distort its actions and regulatory disclosures. In its filing, Unicoin emphasizes its commitment to transparency and compliance, stating that it voluntarily registered securities, published audited financial statements, and limited participation to accredited investors from the outset [1].
The SEC’s allegations, filed in May, accuse Unicoin and its three top executives of violating securities laws by overstating the value of real estate assets intended to back the company’s tokens and rights certificates. The regulator claims Unicoin exaggerated the value of properties in countries like Thailand and Argentina, falsely representing the scale of its real estate acquisitions and misleading investors about the collateral supporting its crypto offerings. The SEC also denied that it had given Unicoin approval to operate as a registered entity, despite claims by the company that its products were SEC-registered [1].
In response, Unicoin maintains that the SEC conflates contractual commitments with completed transactions and misrepresented the company’s financial projections. The company insists that every real estate deal was backed by binding agreements, and that it was measuring property values in terms of Unicoin tokens rather than traditional currency. For instance, in 2023, Unicoin announced a $335 million agreement to purchase a luxury resort in Thailand, offering to pay 140% of the property's appraised value in its own tokens [2]. The company attributes the SEC’s focus to the agency’s broader anti-crypto agenda, with CEO Alex Konanykhin alleging political motivation behind the lawsuit. He claims former SEC Chair Gary Gensler sought to block Unicoin’s potential listing on the New York Stock Exchange, which would have represented a significant setback to Gensler’s regulatory strategy [2].
Unicoin has also challenged the SEC’s use of selective quotes and mischaracterized statements as evidence of fraud. The company argues that it consistently paired optimistic projections with clear risk disclosures and that the SEC is misrepresenting its marketing practices. Konanykhin further claims the SEC disrupted key business relationships through a wave of subpoenas in May 2024, targeting investors, auditors, and legal partners. He asserts that past investigations found no violations and that the current charges are unsubstantiated [3].
Legal experts suggest that while the SEC has softened its enforcement approach in recent months, this case may represent a continuation of its traditional securities fraud strategy. Katherine Reilly, a former federal prosecutor, notes that the SEC’s allegations reflect classic misrepresentation tactics, focusing on overstated financing and unrealized property acquisitions. Despite Unicoin’s efforts to align with a new administration that has shown greater crypto industry support, she believes the case is unlikely to be significantly influenced by political considerations in the Southern District of New York [3].
Unicoin has not yet received a response from the SEC but remains confident in its legal stance. Konanykhin estimates the company could now be worth $25 billion had it gone public as originally planned and has vowed to defend against the charges aggressively.
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