Investor Reactions to Crypto Token Regulation

Abstract

Despite calls for regulation in the crypto utility token market, it is unclear how crypto token investors value current regulatory proposals. We find that on average, investors react negatively to news that increases the likelihood of securities and transparency-related regulation. We also find that this negative reaction is attenuated for tokens rated higher on quality and transparency by intermediaries, those that have higher levels of disclosure, and listed on more liquid exchanges. The observed variation in token transparency and this muted reaction suggest investors perceive disclosure costs to be lower for tokens in more transparent environments, suggesting that transparency matters to investors.

Keywords: Regulation, Transparency, Cryptocurrencies, Crypto Tokens, ICOs, Financial Markets

JEL Classification: G10, G18, M41