Tron to Go Public in U.S. After SEC Pauses Probe Into Justin Sun

June 16, 2025 — In a move signaling renewed momentum for crypto firms seeking legitimacy in U.S. markets, Tron, the Hong Kong-based blockchain platform founded by Justin Sun, has announced its plan to go public in the United States through a reverse merger with SRM Entertainment, a publicly listed company. The news follows a key regulatory development: the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has paused its fraud investigation into Sun, clearing a path for Tron’s next phase of global expansion.

Key Takeaways

• Tron is set to go public in the U.S. through a reverse merger with SRM Entertainment.
• The SEC has paused its fraud investigation into Justin Sun, allowing room for settlement talks.
• Tron now leads in stablecoin settlement, processing more USDT monthly than Ethereum.
• Market sentiment around $TRX remains bullish, with Tron entering the top 10 cryptocurrencies.
• Regulatory scrutiny continues, especially with upcoming DeFi discussions led by the SEC.

About Justin Sun

Justin Sun is a prominent Chinese-born entrepreneur and the founder of the Tron blockchain, launched in 2017. He rose to fame through bold marketing tactics, high-profile partnerships, and acquisitions like BitTorrent. Known for his outspoken personality, Sun has been a polarizing figure in the crypto industry, drawing both admiration and criticism.

In 2023, he faced legal scrutiny from the U.S. SEC over allegations of unregistered securities offerings and market manipulation, but the investigation was paused in early 2025. Despite regulatory hurdles, Sun continues to lead Tron’s global expansion, positioning it as a dominant player in stablecoin settlements and decentralized finance.

A Bold Step to Enter U.S. Markets

Tron’s decision to enter public markets through a reverse merger—bypassing the traditional IPO route—comes at a pivotal moment for the platform. Tron has emerged as a dominant player in the blockchain space, processing over $611 billion in monthly USDT transactions, placing it ahead of Ethereum in stablecoin settlements.

The reverse merger will allow Tron to trade publicly on U.S. stock exchanges, boosting visibility among institutional investors and opening the door to increased capital and adoption.

“This is a landmark moment for Tron and a sign that regulatory waters may be calming,” said a crypto strategist at Bitwise Investments.

Regulatory Cloud Begins to Lift

In 2023, the SEC accused Justin Sun and affiliated entities—including Tron Foundation and BitTorrent Foundation—of market manipulation and offering unregistered securities. However, in February 2025, the investigation was put on hold, reportedly to explore settlement discussions.

While the SEC has not formally dropped the case, the pause has allowed Tron to resume its U.S. ambitions. This shift could also signal a broader change in the SEC’s approach to blockchain projects, especially ahead of the agency’s anticipated DeFi policy roundtable later this month.

Market Reactions and $TRX Outlook

Following the announcement, Tron’s native token $TRX showed strong resilience, maintaining bullish sentiment despite brief volatility. The token recently overtook Cardano to become the ninth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, now hovering near $26 billion.

Justin Sun, who remains a polarizing figure in the crypto world, has predicted new all-time highs for $TRX in Q2 2025 and expressed confidence that the public listing will supercharge adoption across the Tron ecosystem—including stablecoin USDD, DeFi platform SUN.io, and its growing NFT and gaming infrastructure.

The Road Ahead

Despite optimism, Tron’s future in U.S. markets is not without challenges. Regulatory scrutiny around stablecoin usage and DeFi protocols remains intense, and questions persist regarding Tron’s centralization model and past legal battles.

Still, industry analysts are viewing the public listing and paused SEC probe as critical turning points—not just for Tron, but for the broader effort to integrate crypto firms into mainstream financial systems.