JD Alois

FinCEN Updates on Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), Aims to Reduce the Noise

Financial services firms are required to issue Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) when they suspect money laundering or other illicit activities. This includes transactions of around $10,000 or structured transactions that break up the movement of money. A bank must file a SAR no later than… Read More

Senate Democrats Aim to Upend DeFi, Crypto Industry Pushes Back Against Changes that Undermine Digital Asset Innovation

The US House of Representatives approved digital asset market infrastructure, the CLARITY Act, last July. Since then, the legislation has been stalled in the Senate as members hash out potential changes to the language of the bill, with Republicans distributing their draft and, more recently,… Read More

Hargreaves Lansdown, a Private Investment Advisor Managing £155 Billion, Says Bitcoin Not an Asset Class

Private investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown has issued a statement on crypto and Bitcoin specifically, describing the world’s most popular crypto as “not an asset class.” To quote the firm:  “…we do not think cryptocurrency has characteristics that mean it should be included in portfolios for… Read More

Laffer Curve: UK Continues to Chase Tax Revenue Away as Revolut CEO Domiciles in UAE

The Laffer Curve continues to shed light on how to manage tax policy more effectively. Unfortunately, too few recognize the pragmatech theory that posits a too high tax burden will alter individual behavior. As taxes rise, especially on the affluent, who may relocate easily, this… Read More

Gemini Registers with AUSTRAC, Sets Up Operations in Australia

Gemini (NASDAQ:GEMI)has expanded its platform to Australia, according to a note from the company. Gemini has registered with AUSTRAC and plans banking integrations to make trading crypto easier for Australians. Gemini, founded by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, has recently become a publicly traded company in… Read More

European Fintech Groups, Crowdfunding Advocates Send Letter to Policymakers Regarding Financial Data Access Regulation (FIDA)

A large group of European Fintech associations, including some crowdfunding groups, has signed a letter advocating on behalf of the Financial Data Access Regulation (FIDA). The letter has been addressed to the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the EU. According to… Read More

Republic’s First Mirror Token Representing Shares in SpaceX Closes Today

Republic, the world’s largest online investment platform serving private securities, will close its first offer for a Mirror Token, which represents shares in Elon Musk’s company SpaceX. The valuation of SpaceX is around $400 billion and is one of the world’s most valuable startups. SpaceX… Read More

Innovate Finance to Work with BBC on New Series

UK Fintech advocate Innovate Finance will partner with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on a new Fintech series, according to a release. The production will be created by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. The series is titled “Value Generation: Fintech’s Next Frontier,” and is said to… Read More

Ledger, Concordium Partner on Stablecoin Usage

Digital wallet firm Ledger will partner with Concordium on stablecoin usage, according to a company statement. Concordium is a blockchain that uses zero-knowledge proof technology for privacy while complying with regulations. The company statement explains that Concordium will offer its 1-Click Verify & Pay functionality… Read More

CSA: Canada Proposes to Harmonize Self Certified Investor Exemption

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has proposed a policy to harmonize the self-certified investor prospectus exemption across all Canadian provinces. In Canada, securities regulation happens only at the provincial level. Obviously, this creates more friction for issuers and investors, but the political will to enable… Read More

What? Gauntlet AI Promises $200K Per Year Software Engineering Job Following Intense 12 Week Program

This post on X caught the attention of many people. An Austin-based company called Gauntlet AI is promising software engineers a $200,000 per year salary if they complete their 12-week program. The deal is said to include housing, food, and travel. The program is intense… Read More

CruTrade Offers Wine Collecting, Trading, Uses Avalanche Blockchain

CruTrade, a new online investment platform that offers wine investors a place to buy and sell fine wine, announced its launch today, promising a marketplace where enthusiasts can trade wine powered by Avalanche. CrutTrade touts its ability to allow traders to instantly invest in bottles… Read More

AI Firm Ewake Raises €2 Million in Pre-Seed Funding

French artificial intelligence firm Ewake has raised €2 million in pre-seed funding, according to a note from the firm. The funding round was led by Connect Ventures. Others participating in the funding include 2100 Ventures, Notion Capital, Insiders, 50partners, and angel investors, including Amirhossein Malekzadeh…. Read More

ICE, Operator of NYSE, Partners with Polymarket, Invests $2 Billion in Prediction Marketplace

Prediction marketplace Polymarket will partner with ICE (NYSE: ICE), the operator of the New York Stock Exchange. At the same time, ICE will invest $2 billion (in cash) at a post-money valuation of $9 billion. The partnership involves ICE becoming a distributor of Polymarket data, enabling… Read More

Digital Euro: Some Worry About Government Intrusion and Abuse Regarding CBDCs, Digital IDs

While the United States has turned away from the concept of a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), other jurisdictions, such as Europe and China, have embraced it. As has been reported, a digital Euro is in the works with the European Central Bank (ECB)… Read More

Big Banks: Fifth Third Acquires Comerica

Fifth Third (Nasdaq: FITB) will acquire Comerica (NYSE: CMA), according to a public statement. The deal will create the ninth-largest US bank, with approximately $288 billion in assets. Shares of both banks moved higher in early market trading. Fifth Third will pay approximately $10.9 billion in… Read More

Fintech Abound Tops £1 Billion in Online Lending

Abound, a UK Fintech in the online lending sector, has surpassed £1 billion in lending. First reported by Financial IT, Abound CEO  Gerald Chappell, is quoted on the milestone: “Reaching £1 billion in loans is proof of our momentum and our technology. With more milestones… Read More

Swiss Exchange Operator SIX Brings Digital Asset Entity In House

SIX, the operator of the Swiss Stock Exchange, will bring its digital asset group SDX in-house as it moves closer to becoming a marketplace based on blockchain technology. In May, it was announced that digital bonds issued on SDX would be traded exclusively on SIX… Read More

Robinhood Hits New All Time High

Robinhood (NASDAQ:HOOD) has been on a tear recently. Shares in the company have been pushing its 52-week higher as its valuation increases. As of today, Robinhood shares have surpassed $150 – far higher than at the start of the year, when Robinhood traded in the… Read More

SEC Office of Inspector General Finds former Chair Gary Gensler’s Text Messages Were Lost Due to Avoidable Errors, Coinbase Not Exactly Convinced

Last month, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), issued a memo stating there were “avoidable errors” that led to the loss of former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler’s texts. On January 17, 2024, the SEC Office of Information Technology (OIT) reported… Read More

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