ALGOIs Algorand (ALGO) a security?
#75 by market cap · Last updated Oct 19, 2026 (evidence re-checked)At a glance
Likely digital commodity- ConfidenceLowMedium-HighHigh
- US exchange accessCoinbase (US incl. NY)
- Regulator (if enacted)CFTC
- Evidence5 sources · 3 official
Is Algorand a security or a commodity?
Likely a digital commodity, not a security. Named as a digital commodity in the SEC's March 2026 interpretation (with CFTC guidance).
Nothing changes legally today. If the CLARITY Act becomes law, this token would most likely trade on CFTC-registered exchanges and brokers. It's already widely available on major US platforms. Keep records of your purchases for tax time.
What should I do if my token is "commodity"? →
Why this status
- R2: named as a digital commodity in the SEC's March 2026 interpretation (with CFTC guidance).
- Corroborating signals: none verified.
- Adverse history: a prior SEC securities allegation or court finding about certain sales (see evidence). Confidence capped at Medium-High.
Decentralisation ("mature blockchain" test): Not independently assessed. No reliable, sourced data on control or supply concentration was gathered for this review.
Evidence (5 sources)
3 official
- BackgroundThird-partyOct 19, 2026 · CoinGecko
Project description: Algorand is a scalable, secure, and decentralized digital currency and smart contract platform.
CoinGecko: Algorand ↗ - Exchange listingThird-partyOct 19, 2026 · Coinbase
ALGO appears on Coinbase's 'US (incl. NY) Trading Assets' list.
Coinbase Digital Asset Disclosures: 'US (incl. NY) Trading Assets' list ↗ - RegulatorOfficial sourceMar 23, 2026 · Federal Register (SEC & CFTC)
The SEC's March 2026 interpretation states Algorand (ALGO) is a digital commodity, given as an example of one that does not underlie a futures contract, based on its characteristics as of that date.
SEC interpretation (with CFTC guidance): Application of the Federal Securities Laws to Certain Types of Crypto Assets, Release 33-11412 ↗ - EnforcementOfficial sourceMay 29, 2025 · SEC
The SEC dismissed the Binance case with prejudice in May 2025 as a policy matter.
SEC announces dismissal of civil enforcement action against Binance entities (with prejudice, as a policy matter) ↗ - EnforcementOfficial sourceOct 16, 2024 · U.S. District Court, D.D.C. (court record)
The SEC's 2024 proposed amended Binance complaint alleged ALGO was offered and sold as a security. The SEC said it alleged the investment contracts, not that the token itself is a security.
SEC v. Binance: proposed amended complaint (lists 10 third-party tokens alleged to have been offered and sold as securities: SOL, ADA, MATIC, FIL, ATOM, SAND, MANA, ALGO, AXS, COTI) ↗
Rules by country
Likely digital commodity (ClarityCheck estimate, medium-high confidence). The CLARITY Act is not law, so today the SEC's and CFTC's existing frameworks apply.
Under MiCA, trading in the EU runs through authorised crypto-asset service providers (CASPs). We haven't yet checked token-specific MiCA white paper filings for ALGO. ESMA register ↗
The UK's new FCA cryptoasset regime starts on Oct 25, 2027. Firms can apply from Sept 30, 2026 until Feb 28, 2027. There's no token-by-token classification list; the rules apply to the firms that offer the token. FCA ↗
ALGO questions
Is Algorand (ALGO) a security?
Probably not, on current evidence. ClarityCheck rates Algorand as a likely digital commodity (medium-high confidence): Named as a digital commodity in the SEC's March 2026 interpretation (with CFTC guidance). This is not legal advice, and the CLARITY Act is not law.
Can I buy ALGO on US exchanges?
US access: Coinbase (US incl. NY). Availability can differ by state and by exchange. See our exchange safety checker.
What would the CLARITY Act change for ALGO?
Nothing changes legally today. If the CLARITY Act becomes law, this token would most likely trade on CFTC-registered exchanges and brokers. It's already widely available on major US platforms. Keep records of your purchases for tax time.
How reliable is this ALGO status?
Confidence is Medium-High. It comes from fixed rules applied to 5 cited sources (checked Oct 19, 2026), not from opinion. Statuses can change as courts, regulators and Congress act.
Change log
4 entries
- Status reviewEvidence-based review: status set to 'Likely digital commodity' (Medium-High confidence) using ClarityCheck rules. Replaces earlier illustrative demo data.
- The SEC's March 2026 interpretation states Algorand (ALGO) is a digital commodity, given as an example of one that does not underlie a futures contract, based on its characteristics as of that date. Source ↗
- The SEC dismissed the Binance case with prejudice in May 2025 as a policy matter. Source ↗
- The SEC's 2024 proposed amended Binance complaint alleged ALGO was offered and sold as a security. The SEC said it alleged the investment contracts, not that the token itself is a security. Source ↗
Snapshot Oct 19, 2026 · Prices by CoinGecko