Hasn't coinbase repeatedly asked the SEC which tokens were securities and have yet to get answer... I don't think SEC strong arming is any indication of shadiness.
No, the SEC has said "most crypto tokens are securities" and coinbase doesn't like that answer, so they asked "Specifically tell us why and how specific tokens are securities" and the SEC has not responded to that request because helping companies skirt securities regulations is not part of their job, in the same way the IRS does not recommend which banks are bad about sending them tax info and the same way someone working for social services cannot legally instruct you on how to hide your assets so that you can get covered by state end of life care.
But each of those is a separate thing. Gold the commodity is traded and regulated differently than a gold ETF. Just because they’re both related to the metal does not mean a single regulatory body has dominion over both.