Opinion

August 1, 2018 @ 12:13 pm By Cali Haan  |  

A “serious pruning of (blockchain) projects” can be expected in 2018, according to Forester Research, a Massachusetts-based market research firm. According to Forrester’s latest report on blockchain, “Predictions 2018: A Year of Reckoning,” the consolidation will come as more and more people tune out the… Read More

July 31, 2018 @ 9:47 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (formerly the CFPB) has chimed in to add their voice of support to the report on Fintech emanating out of the US Department of Treasury and the Office of the Comptroller Currency’s decision to immediately accept applications for Fintech… Read More

July 31, 2018 @ 2:33 pm By JD Alois  |  

Following a report on Fintech published by the US Department of Treasury that encouraged the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to move forward with Fintech Charters, the OCC announced it has begun accepting applications for “national bank charters from non-depository financial technology… Read More

July 30, 2018 @ 3:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Chamber of Digital Commerce’s and their Token Alliance, an initiative of more than 350 blockchain and token experts from around the globe, has published a set of guidelines to help shape the responsible growth of the token and initial coin offering (ICO) markets. The document called Understanding Digital Tokens:… Read More

July 30, 2018 @ 11:00 am By Anthony Zeoli  |  

Earlier this month the House Financial Services Committee unveiled a new bill aimed at fostering increased private investment. The “JOBS and Investor Confidence Act of 2018,” as the bill is titles, is actually a compilation of 32 individual bills. While the complete list of the… Read More

July 29, 2018 @ 3:29 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Chamber of Commerce is a powerful association and lobbying group in Washington, DC. They represent over 3 million businesses in the US from the really big ones to the corner shops. And as we all know, small business is the life blood of… Read More

July 27, 2018 @ 11:45 am By JD Alois  |  

Investment Crowdfunding Rules Deemed Satisfactory. The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has finally released its long awaited post-implementation review of crowdfunding regulation. As has been widely rumored for quite some time, the FCA is looking to adjust rules governing loan based crowdfunding, also labeled peer… Read More

July 26, 2018 @ 5:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

Commissioner Hester Peirce has slammed the Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to deny trading of the Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust on Bats BZX Exchange in a public statement. Peirce stated; “I am concerned that the Commission’s approach undermines investor protection by precluding greater institutionalization of the… Read More

July 26, 2018 @ 5:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, J. Christopher Giancarlo, Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), spent some time on Capitol Hill testifying in front of the House Committee on Agriculture. While Giancarlo’s prepared remarks, and ensuing comments driven by questions from the Committee, covered a wide range of… Read More

July 26, 2018 @ 2:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

This week S&P Global published the Global Banks Midyear report for 2018. While credit conditions remain relatively good, the trade dispute, largely with China, is causing concern. Beyond the overall good economic environment there is a pressing issue when it comes to traditional banks. The… Read More

July 26, 2018 @ 7:09 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Crossflow, a working capital marketplace for corporates and their supply chains, announced positive annual results. Launched in 2014, the Brexit neutral platform (Crossflow is domiciled in the Republic of Ireland) aims to allow financial institutions to cost-effectively finance corporates and suppliers in a click. Crossflow, a member… Read More

July 25, 2018 @ 7:37 pm By Samuel Guzik  |  

  Often repeated, but not always followed, is the advice: follow the money. Sometimes basic problems – and their solutions – are more readily understood (and solved) with this simple mantra. Effective capital markets are no exception. They demand faithful adherence to this principle. Lose… Read More

July 24, 2018 @ 5:36 pm By Yoel Goldfeder  |  

When the blockchain mania began many commentators and market participants were quick to point out the revolutionary aspects of this technology and began sounding the death knell of the traditional securities industry. They claimed that there would no longer be any need for regulation or… Read More

July 23, 2018 @ 3:01 pm By Cali Haan  |  

Former Wall Street risk analyst, avid Bitcoiner and ICO-detractor Tone Vays telecast his compelling “Inevitable ICO Bubble” talk to a crowd at the Seattle Bitcoin Meet Up last Thursday, during which he extended an olive branch to the creators of the contentious Bitcoin ‘fork,’ Bitcoin… Read More

July 22, 2018 @ 5:03 pm By Alexander Dunaev  |  

With tech titans the most valuable companies on the planet, the notion of self-regulation is no longer appropriate or fit for purpose. Is now the time for governments to step in to protect consumers and ensure a more competitive environment? The role of the technology… Read More

July 20, 2018 @ 5:47 pm By JD Alois  |  

The leading financial regulator in the United Kingdom released their annual report this week. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) tackled a wide spectrum of issues in the report including the forthcoming separation from Europe. But the FCA also addressed their ongoing intent to foster an… Read More

July 20, 2018 @ 9:21 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this week, the Subcommittee on Monetary Policy, part of the House Financial Services Committee, held a hearing on the future of money that addressed the rise in prominence of cryptocurrency. While some members of Congress remain supportive of crypto and Fintech in general, others… Read More

July 20, 2018 @ 7:58 am By JD Alois  |  

As was expected – the “JOBS and Investor Confidence Act of 2018,” also being branded as the JOBS Act 3.0, passed the House this week in a nearly unanimous act of legislation that rarely happens on Capitol Hill. The bill is actually a compendium of… Read More

July 20, 2018 @ 7:26 am By Tom Fortin  |  

When people hear I moved from BlackRock to Fintech iCapital Network, I see a fair number of raised eyebrows. On one hand, you have BlackRock, an established asset-management behemoth. On the other, there’s iCapital, a small, young Fintech company – so the transition seems curious… Read More

July 18, 2018 @ 6:31 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Monetary Policy Subcommittee, part of the House Financial Services Committee, held a hearing today addressing the emerging world of cryptocurrencies. Over the past several months, several Congressional committees have held similar hearings as policy makers seek to better understand crypto and perhaps hinder, or… Read More