Block.one Announces Settlement with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 30, 2019 – Block.one has reached a civil settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the company’s sale of an ERC-20 token between June 26, 2017 and June 1, 2018. Under the settlement, Block.one will pay a one-time fine of US$24 million, whilst neither admitting nor denying the SEC’s findings.

The settlement relates specifically to the ERC-20 token sold on the Ethereum blockchain during the aforementioned period, which is no longer in circulation or traded, and will not require the token to be registered as a security with the SEC. The settlement resolves all ongoing matters between Block.one and the SEC.

The SEC has simultaneously granted Block.one an important waiver so that Block.one will not be subject to certain ongoing restrictions that would usually apply with settlements of this type. Block.one believes the SEC’s granting of this waiver evidences Block.one’s continuing commitment to compliance and best practices in the United States and globally.

The company issued the following statement regarding the announcement:

“We are excited to resolve these discussions with the SEC and are committed to ongoing collaboration with regulators and policy makers as the world continues to develop more clarity around compliance frameworks for digital assets.

The extraordinary success story of America is in part built upon its rich history of supporting entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, and we encourage and applaud the efforts of entrepreneurs and leaders from tech, finance, and other industries who are striving to make the U.S. an environment where technology can advance and thrive in a predictable and inclusive way.

Blockchain’s ability to better align organizations with their consumers, increase the transparency of critical database infrastructure, and better distribute value and wealth throughout society remains our company’s focus, and we will continue to fight for the development of our industry to achieve as much alignment around policy and best practices as possible.

As always, we are humbled by, and thankful for, the community support that enables everything we do.”

About Block.one 

Block.one is a global software company specializing in high performance blockchain software. In 2018, it published EOSIO, a free, open-source protocol designed to bring speed, scalability, and ease of use to the secure and transparent fundamentals of distributed databases. Block.one’s venture capital arm, EOS VC, invests in companies, projects, and developers around the world leveraging EOSIO technology.

Contact

media@block.one 

Disclaimer:

Block.one is a software company that is producing the EOSIO software as a free, open-source protocol. This software may, among other things, enable those who deploy it to launch a blockchain, or decentralized applications with various features. For more information, please visit https://github.com/eosio. Block.one does not provide financial support to anyone seeking to become a block producer on any version of the EOSIO platform that may be adopted or implemented.

Block.one will not be launching any of the initial public blockchains based on the EOSIO software. It will be the sole responsibility of third parties, the community, and/or those who wish to become block producers, to adopt and implement EOSIO in the manner they choose, with the features they choose, and/or providing the services they choose. Block.one does not guarantee that anyone will adopt or implement such features, or provide such services, or that the EOSIO software will be adopted and implemented in any way.

Block.one does not endorse any third party or its products or services, even if they are mentioned herein. Block.one is not responsible for any linked content.

Please note that the statements herein are an expression of Block.one’s vision, not a guarantee of anything. While we will try to make that vision come true, all aspects of it are subject to change in all respects at Block.one’s sole discretion. We call these “forward looking statements”, which includes statements in this document, other than statements of historical facts, such as statements regarding Block.one’s business strategy, plans, prospects, developments and objectives. These statements are only predictions and reflect Block.one’s current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events; they are based on assumptions and are subject to risk, uncertainties and change at any time.

We operate in a rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from what is predicted in the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: market volatility; continued availability of capital, financing and personnel; product acceptance; the commercial success of any new products or technologies; competition; government regulation and laws; and general economic, market or business conditions.

All statements are valid only as of the date of first posting and Block.one is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter any statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.  Nothing herein constitutes technological, financial, investment, legal or other advice, either in general or with regard to any particular situation or implementation. Please consult with experts in appropriate areas before implementing or utilizing anything contained in this document.

The ideas and information expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions, views or advice of Block.one or any other employee of Block.one.