The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has rescinded its longstanding "no-deny" settlement rule, allowing crypto firms and other entities to publicly dispute allegations after settling enforcement actions. This policy, in place since 1972, required settling parties to refrain from denying the SEC's allegations. SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated that the repeal ends a practice that restricted criticism from settling defendants. Under the new policy, companies and individuals can generally deny the SEC's allegations unless a settlement specifically requires an admission of wrongdoing. The SEC may still seek admissions in certain cases, but existing no-deny provisions will no longer be enforced. This change follows significant pushback from the crypto industry, which faced intensified SEC enforcement, including 46 crypto-related actions in 2023 alone. Commissioner Hester Peirce, a critic of the old policy, emphasized that allowing open discourse enhances market transparency and investor protection. The policy shift comes amid recent settlements, such as a $50 million agreement with Ripple Labs. The SEC's decision aligns it with other federal regulators and may influence how settlements are negotiated and perceived by the public.