Australian authority temporarily suspends three Holon Investments crypto funds

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) temporarily suspended crypto asset manager Holon Investments from its retail services for three crypto funds, citing non-compliant target market determinations in an official statement.

Holon Investments is suspended from offering or distributing bitcoin, ether and filecoin for 21 days — unless revoked earlier. 

The Australian financial regulator did not agree with Holon Investments opening up “very risky and speculative” assets to an audience of lower-certainty profiles. ASIC made this order “to protect retail investors from potentially investing in funds that may not be suitable for their financial objectives, situation or needs,” the statement reads.

Specifically, ASIC targeted the three cryptocurrencies for their complexity and volatility — and expressed concern that the Sydney-based asset manager did not appropriately consider those features. All three funds are managed by crypto exchange Gemini, CoinDesk reported.

If the regulator’s concerns are not adequately addressed, ASIC will put down final stop orders. "Holon will have an opportunity to make submissions to ASIC before any final stop order is made," the statement says.