Opinion

October 16, 2022 @ 11:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

There has been much discussion as to the benefits of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Many developed countries are researching the pros and cons, and China has been testing with consumers a digital yuan for some time now. The flip side to a CBDC is… Read More

October 15, 2022 @ 4:32 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week, Senator John Hickenlooper sent a letter to SEC Chairman Gary Gensler criticizing the SEC’s inability to provide bright-line rules on digital assets. One of the most interesting aspects of the letter is that it came from a Democrat Senator who is chastizing an… Read More

October 15, 2022 @ 3:28 pm By JD Alois  |  

This past week, the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee met to discuss several key topics regarding access to capital and smaller firms. One of the topics revolved around initial public offerings (IPOs), a sector of finance that tanked in 2022. In fact, according… Read More

October 14, 2022 @ 9:37 am By JD Alois  |  

  This past week, Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) revealed it had received regulatory approval to provide services in Singapore, the leading Fintech hub in Asia,  At the same time, it was announced that Coinbase founder and CEO Brian Armstrong is expected to participate at the annual Singapore… Read More

October 13, 2022 @ 4:18 pm By JD Alois  |  

Today the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC) held a meeting to address two important topics. The sagging initial public offering (IPO) market and access to capital for vital entrepreneurial markets. Both, are key policy ambitions – more so during a time of… Read More

October 10, 2022 @ 11:07 pm By Barry James  |  

‘Going for Growth’ Liz Truss’ Style Has Led the UK to A Precipice – Can MPs Pull it Back In Time?   Dear MPs, As Liz Truss launches her pincer movement in parliament this week – a ‘charm offensive’ coupled no doubt with a touch… Read More

October 7, 2022 @ 4:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

Monthly non-farm payrolls came in hot today, alongside a robust employment report, causing markets to swoon as the likelihood of a Fed pause diminishes. Everyone now believes that the Fed will continue its path to curb-stomp inflation after a too-long period where the central bank… Read More

October 7, 2022 @ 8:26 am By JD Alois  |  

As initial public offerings (IPO) sink due to a one-two punch of a challenging market and the never-ending onslaught of additional regulations foisted upon issuers, the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Committee has scheduled a meeting to discuss IPOs as well as entrepreneurship hubs. The… Read More

October 5, 2022 @ 5:06 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week, the Association of Online Investment Platforms (AOIP), a young group aiming to advocate on behalf of online capital formation including securities crowdfunding, visited Congressional staff as well as individuals at the Securities and Exchange Commission. The AOIP members discussed possible legislation and regulations… Read More

October 5, 2022 @ 9:47 am By JD Alois  |  

June 2021 Promotion by Kardashian has the potential of being viewed by 328 million followers in what many think may have been the “financial promotion with the single biggest audience reach in history.” There has been plenty of chatter about the US Securities and Exchange… Read More

September 29, 2022 @ 10:45 am By JD Alois  |  

Investment crowdfunding under Reg CF (Regulation Crowdfunding) has emerged as a powerful legislative success, boosting economic growth and providing access to capital for early-stage firms in need of money. Created under the JOBS Act of 2012 – a bipartisan act of legislation, Reg CF has… Read More

September 26, 2022 @ 11:00 pm By Barry James  |  

It’s Time for a Safe Pair of Hands – Before It’s Too Late The first thing that Kwasi Kwarteng did as Chancellor injected so much risk into the British economy that the investors he was seeking to attract had, quite predictably, the opposite reaction. Any… Read More

September 22, 2022 @ 6:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

Several weeks back, the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC) met and discussed secondary transactions for securities issued under Regulation A (Reg A+) as well as Reg CF. Private securities must adhere to various rules for investors to sell a holding creating hurdles… Read More

September 22, 2022 @ 4:38 pm By JD Alois  |  

Several House Republicans have sent a letter to SEC Chairman Gary Gensler challenging his authority to demand climate disclosure reports from firms as well as other proposed rules, including ESG ambitions and areas like SPACs. Republican members of the House, including the top Republican on… Read More

September 22, 2022 @ 9:18 am By JD Alois  |  

The Bank of England has raised interest rates by 50 basis points – the biggest leap in many years. The move by the BoE follows the US Federal Reserve’s anticipated 75 bps rate increase. The Bank of England said it maintains resolve to fight inflation… Read More

September 21, 2022 @ 2:59 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Federal Reserve increased interest rates by 75 basis points, as expected. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised the target range for the federal funds rate to 3 to 3-1/4% and expects ongoing increases in the rate. The Fed said that it will… Read More

September 20, 2022 @ 2:06 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Federal Reserve is meeting this week to determine interest rates and the odds on favorite is for a 75 basis point increase to the benchmark rate. While it could go higher – perhaps 100 bps – most market observers believe 75 bps is already… Read More

September 20, 2022 @ 8:35 am By JD Alois  |  

The Merge was completed last week successfully migrating Ethereum from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS). The transition was not a foregone conclusion and the success was greeted with plaudits as well as relief. But while the Merge addressed some of the… Read More

September 16, 2022 @ 11:41 am By JD Alois  |  

After months of behind-the-scenes discussion, the White House revealed its “Fact Sheet” on the responsible development of digital assets or crypto-assets. The Executive Order issued by the White House last March sought to outline the administration’s approach, is now being expanded to be utilized as… Read More

September 15, 2022 @ 5:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

SEC Chairman Gary Gensler testified in front of the Senate Banking Committee today, reiterating his opinion that in regards to digital assets  (or crypto assets) that the vast majority are securities. The exception being Bitcoin, and perhaps Ethereum – which entail much of the crypto… Read More