Andre Cronje Reveals SEC Harassment Led to His Departure from DeFi
Andre Cronje, founder of Sonic, revealed that he left DeFi in 2022 due to persistent harassment from the SEC. Key points include:
- SEC scrutiny began with inquiries about investors and profits but escalated to aggressive demands.
- Cronje, not a US citizen and without business ties in the country, faced repeated targeting.
- Ongoing regulatory pressure drained his energy and resources, prompting his exit from the industry.
- SEC warned him against publicly discussing the harassment, threatening further action.
- Despite leaving, Cronje continued to contribute discreetly to projects in the crypto space.
- With the anticipated change in SEC leadership in 2025, he felt safe enough to share his story.
- The resignation of Gary Gensler indicates a shift toward a more open regulatory attitude towards crypto innovation.
- Cronje's account highlights the struggles faced by blockchain developers due to previous regulatory policies.
His experience underscores the resilience of the crypto industry amid ongoing regulatory challenges.