Opinion

November 4, 2020 @ 11:18 am By JD Alois  |  

As previously reported, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has updated the exempt offering ecosystem – changes that impact online capital formation including Reg CF and Reg A+. The amendments published the SEC include funding cap increases to both the aforementioned exemptions while additional updates,… Read More

November 3, 2020 @ 10:43 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, the Securities and Exchange Commission updated rules affecting the exempt offering ecosystem. Many of the changes impact online capital formation and the regulatory environment that issuers may leverage to raise capital online and the ability of platforms to assist in these securities offerings. The… Read More

November 2, 2020 @ 10:00 pm By Ryan Feit  |  

Today marked a major turning point for the private capital markets in America.  While most of the country is squarely focused on the election, the SEC quietly passed dramatic improvements to securities laws for startups, small businesses and investors everywhere.  The SEC’s actions today signified,… Read More

November 2, 2020 @ 1:20 pm By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Patrick McHenry, the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, has issued a statement applauding the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rule change today that seeks to improve and simplify the exempt offering ecosystem. Congressman McHenry stated: “Today’s action by the SEC will help… Read More

November 2, 2020 @ 12:51 pm By JD Alois  |  

During an open meeting of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commission approved updates to the exempt offering ecosystem that are designed to improve access to capital, boost access to greater opportunity for investors while maintaining important investor protection criteria. In a party-line vote,… Read More

November 2, 2020 @ 9:18 am By JD Alois  |  

Following a big win at the European Commission in regards to the harmonization of investment crowdfunding rules, the European Crowdfunding Network (ECN) has published a report analyzing European blockchain regulation. Crafted in partnership with the law firm of Denton’s, the ECN report reviews the European… Read More

November 1, 2020 @ 6:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Establishing proper standards is the key to ensuring that the blockchain sector moves forward, according to a recent blog post published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The blog post’s authors (Sumedha Deshmukh, Mercina Tillemann-Dick, Sofia Arend) note that standards for blockchain or distributed ledger tech… Read More

October 31, 2020 @ 4:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Nick Catino, Head of Policy at TransferWise (Americas), recently commented on why he thinks the United States should allow payment firms to take part “directly in payment systems.” At present, access is limited to depository institutions, Catino explains. He notes that payment firms are unable… Read More

October 29, 2020 @ 11:00 am By JD Alois  |  

This past Tuesday, INX Limited announced that it has agreed to acquire Openfinance, a FINRA regulated broker-dealer and alternative trading system (ATS) in the digital security market. INX Limited is a Fintech with a vision of redefining the world of regulated security tokens and crypto… Read More

October 27, 2020 @ 12:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

    Recently, Kik settled a long legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In the end, Kik must pay a $5 million settlement pertaining to an initial coin offering (ICO) that was deemed to be an unregistered security offering. Additionally, for the… Read More

October 26, 2020 @ 10:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SignKeys, a Singapore-based digital asset solutions provider, notes that recent positive news for Bitcoin (PayPal adding support for BTC and other cryptos) may have led to a 15% increase in its price (around $13,000 at the time of writing). SignKeys points out that Bitcoin still… Read More

October 25, 2020 @ 2:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Adena Friedman, President and CEO of Nasdaq, the world’s second-largest stock exchange with a market cap of over $17 trillion, says that emerging technologies (Emtech) continue to “drive the evolution” of capital markets.  As covered, Friedman believes that Cloud technologies will transform financial services and… Read More

October 23, 2020 @ 12:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

We recently caught up with Mark Smargon, CEO of Fuse.io, a Fintech company that aims to connect everyday payments to the blockchain without compromising on user experience. Fuse.io is focused on leveraging the latest decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure to offer a unique platform to businesses… Read More

October 22, 2020 @ 3:56 pm By JD Alois  |  

There should not be any question that financial innovation is good for consumers, good for businesses, and good for the economy in general. Fintech is bringing a degree of financial sophistication and inclusion previously unattainable. Underserved or underbanked markets may now access services once available… Read More

October 22, 2020 @ 11:57 am By JD Alois  |  

The law firm of Ellenoff, Grossman, and Schole (EGS) has long been a leading Manhattan firm in the SPAC sector (Special Purpose Acquisition Company). This year, SPACs have boomed, including multiple high profile issuers as well as several Fintech focused SPACs. So how did SPACs… Read More

October 21, 2020 @ 10:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

Today’s news that PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) will start allowing it’s over 360 million users to use crypto placed a firm stamp of establishment approval on digital currency. PayPal partnered with Paxos to provide the service – a digital asset firm that has always placed regulatory compliance… Read More

October 21, 2020 @ 11:29 am By JD Alois  |  

With the announcement that PayPal will now enable trading and payments in crypto, the world’s most popular digital currency – Bitcoin has jumped in price. At last glance, Bitcoin is trading over USD$ 12,700 – earlier today it was under $12,000. Shares in PayPal neared… Read More

October 20, 2020 @ 11:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Triyono Gani, the head of digital finance innovation at Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK), notes that it may have taken a long time for people to understand one of Bill Gates’ quotes, “Banking is necessary, but banks are not.”  Gani points out that Gates actually… Read More

October 20, 2020 @ 8:15 am By Brian Williamson  |  

I have been impressed, not only with the economic levers Rishi Sunak, has used to stimulate the economy but with the measured and calm way he has dealt with a crisis that could have been a poison chalice for many another Chancellor. A few weeks… Read More

October 16, 2020 @ 2:30 am By Omar Faridi  |  

  We recently spoke to Meltem Demirors, the Chief Strategy Officer at CoinShares, a digital asset treasury management firm that manages over $1 billion in assets. Demirors talked about how financial markets reacted after US President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19. She also discussed… Read More