DeFi Firm PoolTogether Dodges Legal Bullet as U.S. Federal Judge Drops Charges
- Rudolph Harmon
- June 8, 2023
- Defi, News
- defi, NFT, PoolTogether, U.S Federal Judge
- 0 Comments
In a decisive victory for DeFi company PoolTogether, a U.S. Federal Judge dismissed all charges lodged against it. The lawsuit, initiated in 2021, accused PoolTogether of facilitating regulatory evasion and deceiving consumers. Joe Kent, a previous Congressional staff member, had filed the case as a litmus test while lawmakers mulled over potential legal approaches to DeFi entities.
CASE DISMISSED!!!!
🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜🦜 https://t.co/HDApQZe3Sx pic.twitter.com/SjcDnMnLIV
— Leighton 🛡 (@lay2000lbs) June 7, 2023
Judge Frederic Block emphasized that a federal court is not a suitable avenue to address the concerns raised by Joe Kent regarding PoolTogether’s legality under New York law, recognizing the genuine nature of those concerns.
PoolTogether’s Unique Response to the Suit
She said “yes” to defending DeFi pic.twitter.com/BJg3tRYzyF
— Pooly (@PoolyNFT) August 2, 2022
In an unprecedented move, PoolTogether launched an NFT collection named “Pooly” as a response to the legal dispute. This initiative was a fundraising venture to generate resources for their defense. It proved successful, amassing approximately $135,000 in digital currencies within a mere two-hour window.
Implications for the Wider DeFi Sphere
The court’s verdict to dismiss the case does not signal a blanket shield from litigation for the DeFi industry. Recently, investors have targeted Bancor, another DeFi protocol, filing a lawsuit alleging deceptive practices concerning its impermanent loss protection mechanism, and its operation as an unregistered security.
Regulators Casting a Watchful Eye Over DeFi
The financial regulators have been tightening their grip on the DeFi world, intensifying their scrutiny. An example of this growing attention is the U.S. SEC issuing a subpoena to DeFi protocol SushiSwap and its “Head Chef” Jared Grey in March.
Moving Forward Amidst Legal Uncertainty
This case dismissal offers some temporary relief to PoolTogether, but the DeFi industry remains under the legal microscope. The ruling highlights the question of the most suitable forum for handling concerns related to DeFi platforms. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, the industry will have to navigate through the challenging waters of compliance and legality, which might be tumultuous at times.
Also Read: Patamali Aims to Reshape Real Estate Financing in Kenya through DeFi
