Opinion

August 1, 2016 @ 11:15 am By Amy Wan  |  

Syndication and crowdfunding are terms that have been used interchangeably within the last decade, and their concepts and meaning have become increasingly blurred. However, whereas syndication focuses on funding relationships and structure between the funder and funded, crowdfunding is a method of finding investors (or… Read More

July 30, 2016 @ 3:30 pm By Chen Hungyi  |  

As of July 2016, there are three equity-crowdfunding platforms in Taiwan, including Startup Shares, eFUN, and Crowdfund Masterlink. According to equity crowdfunding regulations in Taiwan, it is necessary to apply for a securities broker license. However, if the securities broker operates only an equity crowdfunding… Read More

July 30, 2016 @ 12:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

After many moons of solid growth, the UK equity crowdfunding market is in the midst of a slump.  This is according to data on the UK funding ecosystem correlated by Beauhurst released this past week.  The slowing market started in Q1 and accelerated during Q2… Read More

July 29, 2016 @ 10:19 am By JD Alois  |  

Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Jeffrey Merkley, both members of the Senate Banking Committee, sent a letter last week to several governmental agencies inquiring about Fintech and regulations. The letter was addressed to: Janet Yellen, Chair of the Federal Reserve, Martin Gruenberg, Chair of the… Read More

July 28, 2016 @ 5:45 pm By Anthony Zeoli  |  

In early June, the U.S. House of Representatives, Financial Services Committee, approved the “Fix Crowdfunding Act” bill (HR 4855). Maybe it’s the title of the bill that is misleading, but since then I have seen multiple articles which incorrectly describe what this legislation, if fully… Read More

July 28, 2016 @ 12:13 pm By JD Alois  |  

Lloyds Bank, an over 250-year-old institution with a storied past is struggling with the future. The august financial institution released Q2 results today as management explained that following the EU referendum results the UK economy is uncertain. Brexit and the swirling negotiations are expected to… Read More

July 27, 2016 @ 10:34 pm By JD Alois  |  

  Canada is the second largest country in the world by land mass and the 10th largest economy by nominal GDP. At around 35 million in total population, Canada is a country that has consistently punched above its weight class economically. The extensive border with… Read More

July 26, 2016 @ 12:22 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week at the opening of Fintech Week in the UK, Christopher Woolard, Director of Strategy and Competition at the FCA, delivered a speech on Fintech innovation and the benefits of RegTech. He also provided an update on Project Innovate since launch. Woolard, as one… Read More

July 26, 2016 @ 9:14 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Peer to Peer Finance Association has released a letter addressed to Andrew Bailey, Chief Executive of the FCA, buttressing their position regarding the recent dialogue with the House of Commons’ Treasury Select Committee. This past June, Andrew Tyrie, MP, Chairman of the Committee,… Read More

July 25, 2016 @ 1:46 pm By JD Alois  |  

Gillian Roche-Saunders, is a partner at the law firm of Bates, Wells & Braithwaite in London.  She is a leading regulatory consultant in the Fintech sector having been engaged in alternative finance for the past five years – before the FCA jumped in to officially… Read More

July 25, 2016 @ 10:48 am By JD Alois  |  

What we do know about the Brexit is that uncertainty equals risk. And additional risk compels investors to become more cautious in their actions. With so many unknowns regarding the ramifications of the Brexit decision, it is going to take some time to sort things… Read More

July 24, 2016 @ 7:54 pm By JD Alois  |  

Just because small events like Brexit crop up does not mean the UK is going to slow down its drive for Fintech relevance and dominance. This week the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) signed a “regulatory cooperation agreement”. This new… Read More

July 22, 2016 @ 11:12 am By JD Alois  |  

The SEC Advisory Committee on Smaller and Emerging Companies (ACSEC) has submitted its final recommendations to the Commission regarding the definition of an accredited investor. ACSEC has continued to advocate on behalf of its thesis that the SEC “should do no harm” and not reduce nor… Read More

July 22, 2016 @ 9:06 am By Odysseas Papadimitriou  |  

Entrepreneurship is a tough slog no matter where you live, considering that 51% of all new businesses fail within five years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. But location still matters, despite what the digitized nature of contemporary commerce might lead you to believe. Sure,… Read More

July 21, 2016 @ 10:32 am By JD Alois  |  

The new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Chief Executive Andrew Bailey, delivered a wide-ranging speech outlining his vision for the regulatory agency at the Annual Public Meeting yesterday (July 21).  Bailey replaced outgoing executive Tracey McDermott who announced her decision to not seek reappointment this past… Read More

July 20, 2016 @ 10:48 am By Ethan Senturia  |  

As a business owner in the modern era, you are likely well acquainted with the Internet.  You may use it for paying bills, staying in touch, and bragging about those cute babies in your life.  So why not tap into that computer prowess when getting… Read More

July 20, 2016 @ 10:01 am By JD Alois  |  

Two important elements of the JOBS Act are Title III and Title IV.  These two portions of the act created Reg CF, retail crowdfunding, and Reg A+, a scaled disclosure exemption for companies to raise up to $50 million.  In the opening remarks of the… Read More

July 19, 2016 @ 5:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

Daniel Zinn, General Counsel of OTC Markets, visited the SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies (ACSEC) today. He followed a presentation by Paul Elio of Elio Motors to continue a theme on Reg A+, providing liquidity and the future of venture markets. The… Read More

July 19, 2016 @ 3:37 pm By Christian Catalini  |  

Sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have long allowed individuals to support start-ups in exchange for pre-buying a ticket or early prototype of a product, but not for equity.  Accredited investors—with a net worth of over $1 million or who earn over $200,000 a year—have their… Read More

July 19, 2016 @ 1:00 pm By Erin Hobey  |  

With the closing of LendIt’s largest event to date, the Lang Di Fintech Experience, Orchard Platform shared its Head of West Coast & APAC Sales Jeremy Todd‘s initial impressions of the event which focused on the future of fintech not only in China but also globally. Todd participated… Read More