JD Alois

Paxful CEO Resigns

Paxful CEO Ray Youssef has resigned, Tweeting that “the full story shall soon be revealed.” Paxful is a Bitcoin-focused global peer-to-peer platform that aims to change the way money moves, allowing transfers to anyone anywhere.   I resign as @paxful CEO with: ☑️ the wallet… Read More

SEC Charges Fintech Betterment with Material Misstatements Regarding Tax Loss Harvesting Service

Robo-advisor Betterment has been hit by charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding material misstatements and omissions pertaining to a tax loss harvesting service (TLH). Betterment has settled the charges with the SEC without admitting or denying the claims, paying a $9 million penalty…. Read More

Republican Members of House Financial Services Committee Troll SEC Chair Gary Gensler During Oversight Hearing

SEC Chair Gary Gensler spent most of the day on Capitol Hill testifying in front of the House Financial Services Committee. As the Committee is currently controlled by the Republicans – which tend to be more innovation-friendly and more supportive of small businesses, some of… Read More

Impact Investing: Seedrs Touts Sustainability Offerings

Seedrs, part of Republic, has commented on its performance in the impact investing sector. In a Tweet, Seedrs noted that, to date, the online investment platform has enabled the following: £330 million in funding for sustainability-focused startups Sustainability securities offerings listed on the platform hold… Read More

Goldman Sachs to Sell GreenSky, Downgrades Consumer Activity: “Done and Dusted”

Following the release of Goldman Sachs‘s (NYSE:GS) quarterly earnings, which fell short of analyst expectations, Goldman revealed its intent to pull back from its consumer operations and focus its efforts on its Platform Solutions. At the same time, Goldman announced that it would sell GreenSky,… Read More

CrowdStreet Advisors Launches CrowdStreet REIT I on iCapital

CrowdStreet Advisors has announced the launch of CrowdStreet REIT I  (or C-REIT) with iCapital. This represents an expansion of access for the fund, which has been available on CrowdStreet and now may be accessed via iCapital channels. CrowdStreet Advisors is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CrowdStreet and… Read More

JROC Recommendations for Next Stage of UK Open Banking Initiative

The Joint Regulatory Oversight Committee (JROC) has posted the recommendations for the next stage of Open Banking in the United Kingdom. JROC is made up of HM Treasury, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR)…. Read More

As SEC Chair Gary Gensler Heads to the Hill, House Financial Services Committee Republicans Hammer Commission on “Non-Existent Digital Asset Trading Platform Registration Process”

Later today, the House Financial Services Committee will hold an oversight hearing regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission with Chair Gary Gensler testifying on his leadership of the Commission. In the hours before the scheduled start of the hearing, Committee Republicans have posted a letter… Read More

Goldman Sachs Reports EPS $8.79, Misses on Top Line, Selling Marcus Loan Portfolio

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is taking a beating in pre-market trading as earnings missed on the top line according to anaylist expectations. Goldman reported Q1 2023 net revenue of $12.22 billion and net earnings of $3.23 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at $8.79. The… Read More

Prepared Testimony from SEC Chair Gary Gensler for House Financial Services Committee Hearing: “Nothing about the crypto markets is incompatible with the securities laws”

Tomorrow (April 18, 20223), SEC Chairman Gary Gensler will testify in front of the House Financial Services Committee. The oversight hearing will “examine the regulatory developments, rulemakings, and activities that the SEC has undertaken in the period since the last hearing on October 5, 2021.”… Read More

Law Firm Tweet Shames Shaq Into Getting Served for FTX Lawsuit

  Multiple reports indicate that Shaquille O’Neal, a former NBA superstar, has finally been served after being hunted for weeks, at least according to the Moskowitz Law Firm. Shaq was one of a handful of celebrities that got caught up in the promotion of FTX… Read More

Bittrex Hit with SEC Enforcement Action for Operating an Unregistered Exchange

Bittrex, a crypto exchange that announced it was ceasing operations at the end of last month, has been hit with an enforcement action by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC has charged Bittrex and its former CEO William Shihara for operating an unregistered… Read More

Public Companies Worry About Increasing Regulatory Risk as SEC Aggressively Pursues More Rules: Report

The mention of terms in 10-K filings associated with public policy risk, IE regulation has increased by 27% in the last decade, according to a report by the US Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber states that changes in taxes, regulations, and enforcement have increased dramatically… Read More

Apple’s Savings Account Launches, Offers 4.15% APY for Users

As was anticipated last week, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has revealed its savings option paying users an APY of 4.15%, thus creating a compelling option for its customers to hold cash with the neobank/tech firm. According to Apple, Apple Card users will have the option to have… Read More

SEC Expected to Announce Enforcement Action Against Bittrex, a Crypto Exchange that is Already Shutting Down

At the end of March, US-based crypto exchange Bittrex announced that it was shuttering its operations. Bittrex stated that it would cease operations on April 30, 2023, while providing a series of timelines for its users, recommending that accounts are closed as soon as possible…. Read More

Draft Legislation on Stablecoins Posted in Advance of Hearing by House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Fintech

On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Fintech, and Inclusion, will hold a hearing on stablecoins. The hearing is being joined by draft legislation that may end up providing a viable path to regulate this new form of payments and transfers…. Read More

US Small Business Administration Removes “Outdated Limits” on Non-Depository Lenders to Boost Access to Capital

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has completed rules that aim to improve access to capital for small businesses in underserved communities, according to a statement by the agency. The final rule makes permanent a program for nonprofit lenders, and removes “outdated limits” on non-depository… Read More

Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Patrick McHenry, Representative Ann Wagner, Criticize SEC Chair for Neglecting Capital Formation Mission

Representative Patrick McHenry and Representative Ann Wagner have sent a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler criticizing him for neglecting the Commission’s mission to enable access to capital for businesses. McHenry is Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Wagner is… Read More

InvestEngine’s Security Offering Closes at £1.94 Million Topping Goal

InvestEngine, a Fintech that offers commission-free ETF investing for individuals and small businesses, has closed its securities crowdfunding round, having raised £1.94 million, topping its goal of £1.25 million, according to an email from the company. This is the second time InvestEngine has leveraged Crowdcube… Read More

SEC Re-Opens Comments on Proposed Rule that May Upend Definition of an Exchange, Could Crush DeFi

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) re-opened comments on a proposed rule during a meeting of the Commission that in many respects raised more questions than provided answers. The proposed amendments to the definition of “exchange” under Exchange Act Rule 3b-16 were initially proposed in… Read More

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