California Regulator Investigating Crypto Interest Account Providers

The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) is another state regulator in the United States that initiated an investigation against crypto companies offering interest-bearing accounts.

“The Department is investigating whether other crypto-interest account providers are violating laws under the Department’s jurisdiction,” the regulator stated in an announcement on Tuesday.

However, the California regulator did not name any crypto lending companies under its scanner.

The necessity for the investigation was pushed after several crypto lending platforms suspended withdrawals amid the ongoing market turmoil, while a few even collapsed. The regulator even highlighted BlockFi and Voyager Digital and said that it found certain crypto interest accounts as unregistered securities.

“The Department warns California consumers and investors that many crypto-interest account providers may not have adequately disclosed risks customers face when they deposit crypto assets onto these platforms,” the regulator stated.

The vulnerabilities of crypto lending platforms were surfaced in recent months. Celsius, the CEO of which was once willing to explain the crypto lending business model to US regulators, suspended all withdrawals between accounts on June 12 and hired restructuring experts. Now, the state regulator of Vermont has initiated an investigation against Celsius.

BlockFi, another crypto lending platform that settled with US regulators by paying $100 million, was bailed out by other industry giants. Singapore-based Vauld, suspended withdrawals and is considering restructuring, while Voyager has filed for bankruptcy.

“Consumers are encouraged to exercise extreme caution before responding to any solicitation offering investment or financial services. California customers of crypto-interest account providers that have slowed or paused withdrawals or transfers of crypto assets should contact the Department for questions,” the regulator added.