- SEC Chairman Paul Atkins will headline a Washington summit sponsored by Unicoin amid active litigation.
- Unicoin’s CEO claims SEC enforcement staff misled current leadership about the $100 million token case.
- The SEC claims that Unicoin misrepresented its real estate backing and inflated property valuations.
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins will headline a major Washington blockchain summit sponsored by Unicoin. This crypto firm is currently locked in a $100 million securities fraud lawsuit with the agency.
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins to Address Summit Amid Legal Fight
According to a CoinDesk report, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins is scheduled to speak at the Digital Chamber’s DC Blockchain Summit next month. The event lists Unicoin as its “platinum” sponsor.
Unicoin is in an active litigation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington policy circles.
Unicoin has publicly accused the agency of a prolonged campaign against its operations. The company is financially backing the summit where Atkins will appear.
The summit will feature Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce among the first featured speakers. Unicoin CEO Alexander Konanykhin is also named as a participant.
Organizers stated that companies attend the event to educate policymakers and build bridges.
Unicoin CEO Alleges Internal SEC Misconduct
Unicoin’s CEO has argued that current SEC leadership is being misled by enforcement staff. In a message to CoinDesk, Konanykhin claimed holdover officials from prior leadership influenced the case.
He described them as “henchmen,” continuing a war on crypto. Konanykhin said Unicoin executives are barred from speaking directly with commissioners due to pending litigation.
He wrote that this restriction prevents leadership from hearing the company’s defense. He also claimed the chairman had been misinformed by enforcement personnel.
Despite his criticism, Konanykhin praised Atkins for his efforts to repair industry relations. He stated that enforcement lawyers sabotaged those efforts by advancing the lawsuit.
He argued that staff recommendations are rarely rejected by commissioners. Unicoin also launched a public campaign in Washington.
Trucks circulated near federal buildings displaying messages such as “The War on Crypto is NOT over.” The company has shared images of the trucks in social media posts amplifying its position.
SEC Details $100 Million Securities Fraud Allegations
The SEC filed its lawsuit against Unicoin and several executives last year. The complaint alleges the company raised more than $100 million through token sales.
Regulators claim the tokens were marketed as backed by real estate assets. According to the SEC, Unicoin announced property acquisitions in Argentina, Thailand, Antigua, and the Bahamas.
The agency stated that most transactions were never closed. It also alleged that property valuations were overstated.
The complaint names CEO Alexander Konanykhin and other senior executives. Former board chair Maria Moschini and general counsel Richard Devlin are among those charged.
The SEC alleges violations of federal securities laws tied to investor representations. The lawsuit was approved when Mark Uyeda served as acting chairman.
At that time, the commission included two Republicans and one Democrat. No dissenting statements were issued when the case advanced.
Unicoin has rejected settlement discussions with the SEC. Konanykhin recently announced that the company declined an offer to negotiate. The litigation continues as both sides prepare for further proceedings.
The DC Blockchain Summit will proceed with its published agenda. Its code of conduct promotes open dialogue and free expression.
However, ongoing legal restrictions limit direct engagement between Unicoin executives and SEC leadership. The Unicoin case remains one of the active disputes shaping that discussion.