SEC warns bitcoin, cryptocurrency investors at risk

Reuters  |  Author 

Published Jan 04, 2018 12:04PM ET

SEC warns bitcoin, cryptocurrency investors at risk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission warned Thursday that investors should "exercise caution" with cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, noting state and federal regulators may not be able to recoup any lost investments from illegal actors.

Many promoters of initial coin offerings (ICOs) and other cryptocurrency investments are not following federal and state securities laws, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and Commissioners Kara Stein and Michael Piwowar said in a statement. While regulators are trying to police these quickly growing markets, the SEC urged investors to be vigilant.