Politics, Legal & Regulation

Policy and regulations impacting innovations in Finance.

If firms do not improve, we will act: FCA Cautions Crypto Firms on Regulatory Requirements

While the UK is pretty crypto-friendly compared to the US, this does not mean you can flout existing rules. Yesterday, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a statement warning digital asset firms to comply with rules. If certain unnamed firms do not improve, “we will act,” the… Read More

Pyrrhic Victory for SEC? Ripple Pays Penalty of $125 following SEC Action Settlement

Ripple, the issuer of XRP, has long been ensconced in a legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission over allegations of offering an unregistered security. However, it appears to have been let off lightly by paying a penalty of $125 million. Ripple CEO Brad… Read More

The Bitcoin Act: Bill Introduced to Establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in the US

Legislation has been introduced in the US Senate to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Submitted by Senator Cynthia Lummis, well known for her support of digital assets, S.4912, the Bitcoin Act, officially entitled, Boosting Innovation, Technology and Competitiveness through Optimized Investment Nationwide (BITCOIN) Act was sent… Read More

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Action Leads to Permanent Bans for Fraudsters Behind “Credit Repair” Pyramid Scheme

As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, the owners and operators of a sprawling credit repair operation known as Financial Education Services (FES) will end the practices that the FTC alleged “created a pyramid scheme and also violated the Credit Repair Organizations Act.”… Read More

PBOC and HKMA to Focus on Cross-Boundary Linkage of Payment Systems between Mainland China and Hong Kong

PBOC and HKMA has reportedly signed an MOU that is focused on cross-boundary linkage of payment systems between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Mr Lu Lei, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), and Mr Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong… Read More

Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Introduces Review Group for Equities Market Development

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that a Review Group has been set up to recommend measures to strengthen equities market development in Singapore. The Review Group will be chaired by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport, Second Minister for Finance and Board… Read More

SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda Comments on Biden Administration, Crypto Regulation

SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda recently spoke at an event sponsored by Schwab. Commissioner  Uyeda spoke during a session to address the “regulatory onslaught” that has taken place during Chairman Gary Gensler’s tenure at the agency. In notes provided to CI, Uyeda commented on the impact… Read More

Singapore Pursues Consultation on Transfers with China, Suspensions of Specific Channels

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced a consultation on transfers to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including the current suspension of “non-specified channels.” The suspension, pertaining mostly to PRC nationals working in Singapore, is in regard to accounts and funds that were… Read More

American Fintech Council Supports Congressional Request to Safeguard Consumer Data, Action by CFPB

The American Fintech Council (AFC) has issued a statement on the bipartisan letter sent by a group of House Representatives asking the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to adjust requirements pertaining to control of consumer data along the lines of Open Banking. The AFC says they… Read More

Open Banking: Congressional Bipartisan Letter Requests Revisions on Personal Data Use from CFBP

A group of US House Representatives have sent a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) requesting the agency revise use of personal data. Led by Representatives Mike Flood, Brittany Pettersen, Erin Houchin, and ten other Representatives, the letter notes that the Personal Financial… Read More

European Central Bank and European Banking Authority Release Report on Payments Fraud

The European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Banking Authority (EBA) have recently released a joint report on payment fraud. The report assesses payment fraud data reported semi-annually by payment service providers across the European Economic Area (EEA) for a variety of payment instruments, such… Read More

UK’s FCA Shares Update on Dormant Assets Scheme Expansion, Covering Investment Assets and Client Money

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has shared an update on the Dormant Assets Scheme expansion covering Investment assets and client money. The FCA noted that they have amended their rules and guidance in ode “to enable dormant investment assets and client money to be… Read More

Forensic Risk Alliance Names PayPal, Mastercard Vet Hyun to Key Crypto Compliance Role

Forensic Risk Alliance, an independent forensic consultancy specializing in regulatory investigations, compliance and disputes, has named US-based cryptocurrency specialist Thomas Hyun as a director in the firm’s global Cryptocurrency Investigations and Compliance practice. Hyun brings years of experience building and leading anti-money laundering (AML) compliance… Read More

House Financial Services Republicans Share Report on Shortcomings of ESG and Needed Reforms

The House Financial Services Committee Republicans have posted a report on ESG entitled, “The Failure of ESG: An Examination of Environmental, Social and Governance Factors in the American Boardroom and Needed Reforms.” In recent years, ESG has infiltrated corporate America as well as the political… Read More

ESMA Says Regulators Must Remain Vigilant in Crypto Markets

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) says National Competent Authorities (NCAs) – or member state regulators – must remain vigilant in regard to crypto markets as MiCA goes into force. The “Opinion” posted by ESMA states that “in order for MiCA to deliver on… Read More

Coinbase Executive Comments on Q2 Earnings, Improving Regulatory Clarity

Yesterday, Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN)announced Q2 earnings results which were delivered during a challenging time for markets as economic concerns rise. Coinbase reported a rise in second-quarter revenue as trading volumes at the crypto exchange recovered due to improved market sentiment. While top-line revenues beat estimates, shares… Read More

US and German Law Enforcement Agencies Seize Virtual Currency Wallet Cryptonator, Charge Administrator – Report

IRS-Criminal Investigation, the US Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the Attorney General’s Office in Frankfurt, reportedly seized the domain for online crypto wallet Cryptonator for allegedly failing to have “appropriate”… Read More

European Artificial Intelligence Act Begins Today

The European Artificial Intelligence Act  (EU AI Act) goes into force today. The EU legislation aims to regulate services that leverage AI. The goal is to enable the development of the technology while protecting consumers and businesses. The legal framework applies to both public and… Read More

Bank of England Cuts Rates, US Federal Reserve on Deck

The Bank of England, Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), has voted 5 to 4 to cut the benchmark Bank Rate by 0.25% to 5%. The disennters preferred to hold rates steady for now. The decision to cut rates follows the decision by the US Federal Reserve… Read More

Social Media Startup IRL that Raised $170 Million Charged with Fraud by SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged the founder and former CEO of Get Together, an erstwhile social media firm, with fraud in regard to a securities offering. The startup, known as IRL, was founded by Abraham Shafi who apparently raised over $170 million… Read More

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