The new SEC chair Paul Atkins was confirmed on April 10th. The enforcement pivot includes Coinbase and Kraken Case Drops. Legal transparency boosts the depin sector, but risk remains.
In the major development of the decentralized wireless network sector, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed the case against helium on bias, marking a rare reversal of crypto enforcement policies.
The decision concludes the long-standing legal cloud regarding the regulatory status of Helium’s three key tokens (HHNT, IoT and Mobile).
It also shows wider changes under Trump administration’s SEC chairman, Paul Atkins, confirmed on April 10th.
Helium celebrated his termination in a blog post on April 11th as a “major victory,” but court records reveal that parent company Nova Labs quietly agreed to quietly paying a $200,000 fine to resolve separate securities fraud allegations.
Tokens are no longer being vetted
The SEC has officially withdrawn its claim, claiming that the helium core token is an unregistered securities, and the lawsuit will be dismissed on bias.
This decision closes the chapter on uncertainty that casts a shadow over the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DEPIN) space.
Helium’s post attributes this result to SEC’s updated approach to Web3 projects, particularly those that include hardware and community-driven incentives.
The ruling stated that distributing tokens for user engagement “provides clarity” for sectors often caught in the legal grey zone, which are often seen as a security issue.
This termination could serve as a precedent for similar distributed infrastructure ventures, but does not provide immunity from other compliance risks.
Nova Labs pays a $200,000 penalty
Although the SEC case regarding token classification has been closed, Nova Labs is linked to a $200,000 civil penalty issued on alleged fundraising fraud.
The penalty resolves accusations that Nova Labs misrepresented partnerships with major companies such as Nestle, Salesforce and Lime during their 2021-2022 capital raises.
The SEC has tempted investors by pretending to be false, claiming that Nova Labs would use these inflated claims to raise its valuation to $1 billion.
A final settlement without the rejection of guilt guarantees that the company will not face further regulatory action on these claims, but remains a warning narrative for other crypto startups seeking funds.
SEC shifts under Trump’s appointees
This case termination is part of a broad change in tone in the SEC under Paul Atkins, a known supporter of digital asset innovation.
His confirmation on April 10 follows a reversal of several institutions, including a decline in lawsuits against Coinbase, Kraken and Consensys.
This emerging trend illustrates a deliberate pivot in the SEC’s enforcement strategy. This shows that it focuses on regulatory clarity and is less likely to litigate.
Industry analysts suggest that as long as they maintain transparency in investor communication, more crypto infrastructure companies could shrink without fear of blanket regulatory actions.
The timing of helium case termination is one day after Atkins’ appointment – reinforces the view that the Trump administration prioritizes blockchain innovation over punitive measures.
While this could revive confidence in Depin and similar sectors, critics argue that the enforcement gap could still last without a new legislative framework.
Depin still faces a legal gap
Despite positive helium results, the wider Depin landscape remains an ongoing work when it comes to compliance.
Many projects operate at the intersection of telecommunications, financial and distributed governance.
Clarification of SEC in Helium Cases – The fact that when you sell hardware and distribute tokens for network growth, these token securities are not automatically made, could provide temporary relief.
However, lawyers warn that this does not eliminate the need for careful disclosure, particularly during token sales or stock financing rounds.
Helium rulings provide an important legal benchmark, but not a complete solution, as tokenization and decentralized infrastructure continue to blend with traditional industries.
Stakeholders across crypto, communications and regulations have now begun to look into whether this soft stance will lead to durable legal clarity or further policy reversals in the coming months.
