July 17, 2023 @ 10:58 am By JD Alois  |  

German financial regulator BaFin has launched an investigation targeting Blackfort Tech based in Estonia. In a consumer warning, BaFin said that the company offers banking business or provides financial and/or investment services on its website Blackfort.exchange, without the required authorization. Blackfort.exchange lists both an address… Read More

July 17, 2023 @ 9:38 am By JD Alois  |  

John Berlau, a policy expert in financial services at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), has shared his thoughts on the recent court ruling regarding the legal battle between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple along with its founders. Berlau notes that XRP was… Read More

July 14, 2023 @ 6:34 pm By JD Alois  |  

Representative Patrick McHenry, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Representative GT Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, have jointly issued a statement on the court ruling this week regarding the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple and its issuance of XRP. McHenry and Thompson… Read More

July 14, 2023 @ 12:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

The court ruling on the SEC v. Ripple – XRP case has generated renewed hope that the SEC will have to back away from its current regulation-by-enforcement approach when it comes to digital assets. CI has received multiple comments from industry insiders and digital asset… Read More

July 14, 2023 @ 11:08 am By JD Alois  |  

StartEngine, one of the largest securities crowdfunding platforms in the US, has announced the official launch of its long-anticipated secondary marketplace. StartEngine has been approved to operate an ATS or Alternative Trading System for some time now. Yet the launch of the previously announced platform… Read More

July 14, 2023 @ 10:38 am By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has joined the SEC in filing a civil complaint against Celsius Network and its founder and former CEO Alex Mashinsky. Criminal charges were filed by the US Department of Justice as well in a trifecta of legal action against… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 6:47 pm By JD Alois  |  

As was reported earlier today, the courts have issued a ruling on the Ripple-XRP lawsuit filed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In brief, the courts have filed an order that was a partial victor for Ripple and its executives. CI has received multiple… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 6:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

Ripple is claiming victory in a court order issued today that determined the company did not violate securities laws when it initially offered XRP to investors – at least in part. At the same time, the order did indicate that the manner of sale did… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 5:44 pm By JD Alois  |  

The tight lending market has impacted smaller firms and compelled some business borrowers to look elsewhere for capital. As interest rates have risen and banks have pumped the brakes on lending, online platforms – including funding portals, have stepped in to take the place of… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 3:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

Ripple scored a victory today as the courts have now ruled that the sale of XRP on crypto exchanges did not violate US securities law in a partial win for the digital asset firm. The ruling helped to drive the value of XRP higher –… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 12:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against Celsius Network and its founder and former CEO, Alex Mashinsky. At the same time, the US Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against Celsius, Mashinsky and former Chief Revenue Officer Roni Cohen-Pavon. The SEC… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 12:07 pm By JD Alois  |  

Alex Mashinsky Arrested Today. The founder and former CEO of Celsius Network, Alex Mashinsky, and the former Chief Revenue Officer of Celsius, Roni Cohen-Pavon have been charged by the US Department of Justice with defrauding customers and manipulating the market for the Celsius token. Celsius… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 11:09 am By JD Alois  |  

Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle – the issuer of several stablecoins, including dollar-based USDC, has issued a public declaration demanding the US take the lead in regards to stablecoin regulation. The statement via Twitter by Allaire follows the announcement that two US Senators have revamped… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 10:39 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed additional charges in regard to the Frank case and its sale to JP Morgan for $175 million in 2021. According to a statement by the SEC, former Chief Growth Officer of Frank, Olivier Amar, has been charged… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 10:10 am By JD Alois  |  

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has expanded its Tap to Pay service by offering the product in the UK.  The first two platforms offering the service are Revolut and Tyl by NatWest. Revolut is a top Fintech providing banking services in the UK and around the world. Tyl is… Read More

July 12, 2023 @ 11:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

EstateGuru, an established online marketplace for secured loans, has been approved to operate across the European Union under ECSPR or European Crowdfunding Securities Provider Regulation. EstateGuru will join a handful of other online marketplaces to issue securities and raise capital online in the EU. As… Read More

July 12, 2023 @ 6:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier today, Senator Cynthia Lummis and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reintroduced comprehensive legislation aiming to provide updated rules to enable crypto asset innovation while ensuring consumer protection. In 2022, the two Senators released draft legislation that was described as a major step forward for the digital asset… Read More

July 12, 2023 @ 1:11 pm By JD Alois  |  

Seedrs, part of the largest securities crowdfunding group globally, has announced a new mobile App that facilitates online investing. According to an email, the new App is available on both the Apple App Store as well as Google Play. The Seedrs Mobile Apple leverages either… Read More

July 12, 2023 @ 12:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Nikhil Rathi, addressed in a speech the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the role of Big Tech in financial services. The speech was delivered today at the Economist Impact Finance Transformed event. Rathi said… Read More

July 12, 2023 @ 12:18 pm By JD Alois  |  

RideTandem has raised £2.3 million in a funding round led by Blackfinch Ventures, according to a statement issued by the firm. At the same time, Seedrs has listed the securities offering on their platform, enabling smaller investors access to participate in the offering. RideTandem has… Read More