The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reopened its investigation into Neuralink, the brain-chip startup founded by Elon Musk, according to a letter shared by Musk on social media platform X. The letter, dated December 12, was from Musk’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, and addressed to outgoing SEC Chair Gary Gensler. It revealed that the SEC had issued a 48-hour settlement deadline to Musk regarding his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter (now rebranded as “X”), which could result in charges if Musk does not accept the monetary settlement offered.
The amount of the settlement was not disclosed, and the letter emphasized that Musk and his legal team would not be “intimidated” by the SEC. This latest development follows Musk’s ongoing legal disputes with the agency, including an investigation into his 2022 Twitter acquisition. Last year, lawmakers called for an investigation into Musk’s handling of Neuralink’s brain implants, questioning whether Musk misled investors about their safety, but it remains uncertain how much legal traction the SEC could gain in such actions against the entrepreneur.
Musk, who also leads Tesla and SpaceX, has had a contentious relationship with the SEC. Notably, a federal judge in November dismissed the SEC’s request to sanction Musk for failing to appear in court regarding his Twitter takeover. This is just one of several legal entanglements Musk faces, including a 2018 settlement over misleading tweets about Tesla’s privatization.
Despite the SEC’s renewed interest, Musk’s legal defense, supported by his influence and financial power, may provide significant resistance to any potential actions or regulations targeting his ventures, including Neuralink.