The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has moved to resolve its long-running fraud case against crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun through a $10 million settlement, bringing an end to one of the most closely watched regulatory battles in the digital asset industry.
The regulator initially filed charges in March 2023, accusing Sun and several affiliated companies of selling unregistered securities and engaging in market manipulation tied to the cryptocurrency tokens TRX and BTT
The case targeted entities connected to the TRON ecosystem and alleged that the tokens were promoted and traded in ways that violated U.S. securities laws.
According to the settlement terms, Rainberry Inc., a company associated with the TRON ecosystem and formerly known as BitTorrent Inc., will pay a $10 million civil penalty to resolve the dispute
As part of the agreement, the SEC has agreed to dismiss all personal claims against Sun, effectively removing him as a defendant in the case.
The settlement does not require Sun or the affiliated entities to admit or deny the allegations made by regulators
However, the resolution marks a significant moment for the crypto sector, as enforcement actions from the SEC have played a major role in shaping the regulatory landscape for digital assets.
In its original complaint, the SEC alleged that Sun orchestrated wash trading to artificially inflate the trading volume of TRX and coordinated promotional campaigns involving celebrities without properly disclosing compensation
The agency argued that these actions misled investors and violated federal securities laws.
The conclusion of the case may offer some clarity for projects linked to the TRON ecosystem, which has remained active throughout the legal dispute
Industry observers say the outcome highlights the SEC’s continued focus on enforcement while also showing a willingness to resolve cases through negotiated settlements.
The agreement is still subject to court approval, but once finalized it will formally close the years-long legal dispute between regulators and the TRON founder.
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