SEC Junks Grayscale’s Filecoin Trust Application Over ‘Security’ Label

Filecoin, a decentralized storage platform based on blockchain technology, has recently found itself entangled in a regulatory debate as the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) raises concerns over its classification as a security. 

Grayscale Investments, a prominent digital asset management firm, has been instructed by the SEC to withdraw its application for a Filecoin Trust, citing potential securities implications.

Grayscale’s intent to launch an updated Filecoin Trust product was initially disclosed through a Form 10 application submitted to the SEC on April 14. However, in a recent announcement, Grayscale revealed that the regulatory body has expressed reservations about Filecoin’s categorization, asserting that it could fall under the definition of a security.

Grayscale Pushes Back Against SEC Filecoin Securities Claim

Grayscale has revealed that it received a comment letter from the SEC on May 16. In the letter, the regulatory body cautioned that Filecoin (FIL), the underlying asset of Grayscale’s proposed Filecoin Trust, meets the criteria for being classified as a security under federal law. As a result, the SEC requested that Grayscale withdraw its application for the trust product.

The intended transformation of Grayscale’s existing Filecoin Trust into a more public company-like entity, as outlined in the Form 10 application, would have entailed the filing of quarterly reports detailing the financial activities of the trust. However, the SEC’s recent warning has cast doubt on the regulatory viability of such a structure.

In response to the SEC’s assertion, Grayscale expressed a differing viewpoint. According to the firm, Filecoin should not be classified as a security under federal securities laws. Consequently, Grayscale intends to promptly submit a detailed explanation to the SEC staff, outlining the legal basis for its position.

SEC Definition Of Securities; Implications For Crypto Industry

The comment letter received by Grayscale Investments from the SEC sheds light on the regulator’s perspective regarding the classification of Filecoin (FIL) as a security. 

The SEC’s definition of securities is crucial in determining the regulatory framework and compliance requirements for various financial instruments. 

Securities, as per federal law, encompass a broad range of tradable financial assets, including stocks, bonds, and investment contracts, which are typically subject to specific disclosure and registration regulations. 

The implications of the SEC’s position extend beyond the specific case of Filecoin and Grayscale Investments. It remains to be seen how this particular case will play out and what implications it will have for the broader regulatory approach to cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based assets.

-Featured image from Depositphotos

Filecoin Price Struggles To Move, Will It Surpass The $6 Barrier?

The 30th largest cryptocurrency Filecoin (FIL) has recorded an increase in its 24-hour trading volume. This recent trend has attracted investors and traders closely monitoring its price movement. However, the coin struggles to break through the important $6 resistance.

The question now is, will Filecoin be able to break the $6 barrier? What’s the future potential of Filecoin? Notably, FIL trading volume surged significantly in 24 hours. This volume indicates increased network activity which might later push FIL price if the crypto market breaks from the current downtrend.    

Filecoin Recorded Price Dips, What’s The Current Sentiment?

Filecoin is a peer-to-peer network created by Protocol Labs. Users pay storage miners to guarantee that their files are correctly and securely preserved over time. The Filecoin blockchain keeps track of transactions to verify file storage.

The cryptocurrency market is known for its volatility. Sudden swings in the value of digital assets occur frequently. Being a player in this market, Filecoin has seen increased selling momentum and downward movement.

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FIL has experienced some significant drop in price over the past few days, affecting its overall market sentiment and current price movement. But with the Fear & Greed Index of 61 (Greed), the current sentiment is positive. 

However, given that the price is in a zone where investors are likely to want to sell down, this suggests that there might be a potential price reversal.

The trend reversed due to a shift in direction in the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) on 17 April 2023, and this may continue if bullish momentum remains weak. The SMA indicator is frequently used to spot trends, resistance and support levels, and probable buy/sell signals.

By crossing below the 200-day SMA, the 50-day SMA has also formed a death cross, which might be a bearish signal and suggest a potential selling opportunity. The RSI is closely below the neutral zone, indicating the selling momentum is still high. However, the buyers are trying to build strength. Watch closely for a possible trend revisal.

Filecoin Key Support And Resistance Zones

On 23 April 2023, the Filecoin price dropped by 17.35%, making the coin fall to a support level of $5.117. The banking crisis’s impact on the financial market also affected the price movement of altcoins.

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FIL could drop another 15%, reaching a month-long low of $4.79, if the panic persists and the altcoin breaches the crucial support level at $4.990.

Filecoin Price Struggles To Surge, Will It Surpass The $6 Barrier?

Filecoin trades between support and resistance levels of $5.46 and $5.8. The first significant resistance level for FIL is $6.388. If the price moves above the current point, the coin will reach the next resistance levels, at $8.34 and $9.24.

Featured image from Pixabay and chart from Tradingview

Filecoin Experiences Sharp Sell-Off, Potential For Price To Drop Below $5

The bearish onslaught has taken a toll on the price of Filecoin, which slipped below the $6 mark, and the bears now have a strong foothold. On the one-day chart, Filecoin is showing consolidation with a loss of 1.1%. Over the last week, the coin has depreciated by nearly 17%.

The technical outlook for Filecoin indicates bearish pressure, with a drop in demand and accumulation. If sellers push further, it will add to the bearish pressure.

Bitcoin’s struggle to stay above $30,000 has affected other altcoins, keeping them below their immediate resistance levels.

The demand must recover in the next trading sessions for FIL to jump above the $5.50 price. The decline in the market capitalization of Filecoin over the past day also indicates growing selling pressure. Broader market strength remains crucial for the altcoin’s price movement over the subsequent trading sessions.

Filecoin Price Analysis: One-Day Chart

Filecoin

At the time of writing, the trading price for FIL was $5.26. Following its drop below the $6 mark, Filecoin has experienced a continuous free fall. The coin faces overhead resistance at $5.60; surpassing this level will push the coin towards $6, with a potential attempt to trade at $6.30.

Conversely, failing to trade at the current level will establish local support for the coin at $4.90. If the price falls below this level, it will reach $3.80, strengthening the bears. In the last session, the amount of Filecoin traded was in the red, indicating a drop in demand.

Technical Analysis

Filecoin

Over the past few trading sessions, the buying strength for FIL has decreased considerably due to a fall in demand. The Relative Strength Index showed that the buying strength had depreciated, and selling strength had taken over, as the index was below the 40 mark.

Additionally, the FIL price dropped below the 20-Simple Moving Average line, indicating that sellers had taken control and were driving the price momentum in the market. However, if Filecoin surpasses the $5.60 mark, the coin may rise above the 20-SMA line, bringing back the bulls.

Filecoin

At the time of writing, Filecoin gave sell signals in line with other technical indicators. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence showed red histograms, indicating sell signals for price momentum and trend reversals.

These signals suggested that FIL may experience further decline over the next trading sessions. The Awesome Oscillator, which measures price momentum and movement on the chart, formed red bars under the half-line, indicating that sellers had taken control of the market price and that FIL was experiencing bearish momentum. For the coin to initiate its recovery, FIL must surpass the overhead ceiling.