The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has announced it is taking legal action to wind up nine companies that deal in cryptocurrencies and offer ponzi schemes. Cryptocurrencies are banned in Pakistan and India. A release from the commission read: “The SECP has advised public not to be misled by any schemes/deals/plans being offered by these companies: Gold Transmit Network Technology (Pvt) Ltd Green Apple Super Market (Pvt) Ltd Galaxy Typing Jobs (SMC-Pvt) Ltd 3-A Alliance (Pvt) Ltd Pak Memon Impex (Pvt) Ltd Memon Corporation (Pvt) Ltd Humanitas Meritus (SMC-Pvt) Ltd IDG Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd Ayat Enterprises (SMC-Pvt) Ltd It said these firms collected unauthorised deposits from the public, and illegally leased cars, houses and electronic appliances. “Some of them are dealing in cryptocurrencies and offering ponzi/multi-level marketing schemes in Pakistan,” the release stated. In April 2018, the State Bank of Pakistan officially banned Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, shortly after India’s Reserve Bank of India enacted a similar ban. However, this is one of the first instances in which the SECP has taken decisive action against companies that deal in cryptocurrencies, Beincrypto reported. The law has been largely unenforced and such action against businesses is rare. India awaits Supreme Court order on cryptocurrencies In February, the Supreme Court of India gave the government a “last opportunity” to formulate a cryptocurrency policy. It asked the government for a response within four weeks, failing which, it said, it would take a decision on the RBI’s ban. But after a brief hearing last…
