Politics, Legal & Regulation

June 5, 2024 @ 11:13 pm By JD Alois  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to cut interest rates tomorrow (June 6) as growth flags across Europe. Earlier today, the Bank of Canada reduced its target for the overnight rate to 4¾%, with the Bank Rate at 5%, noting that the global economy… Read More

June 5, 2024 @ 2:33 pm By JD Alois  |  

Recently, the head of the FDIC was compelled to resign. Following an independent review of the financial regulator’s management, some Democrats called for FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg to step down. Gruenberg decided to part ways with the FDIC when the review shared that between January… Read More

June 5, 2024 @ 2:08 pm By JD Alois  |  

Today, the Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion Subcommittee, part of the House Financial Services Committee, held a hearing on the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) and the migration to digital securities. The hearing was entitled “Next Generation Infrastructure: How Tokenization of Real-World Assets Will… Read More

June 5, 2024 @ 7:47 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday (June 4), the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced Project Rialto, an initiative that aims to review how instant cross-border payments could be improved using a “modular foreign exchange (FX) component combined with settlement in wholesale central bank digital currencies (CBD).” BIS said improving… Read More

June 4, 2024 @ 10:45 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As a strong proponent of public-private sector collaboration in building a safer, more resilient and more efficient financial system, Circle are pleased to announce that they have submitted an application to participate in Project Agorá,”an initiative led by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and… Read More

June 4, 2024 @ 6:53 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The UK’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has announced recently that David Geale has been appointed Interim Managing Director of the PSR with effect from 10 June. The interim appointment will be for a period of nine months. David joins the PSR from the FCA where… Read More

June 3, 2024 @ 11:41 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Singapore recently released the Environmental Crimes Money Laundering (ML) National Risk Assessment (NRA) which identifies the key threats and vulnerabilities in environmental crimes ML that Singapore “is exposed to, and outlines mitigation measures which government agencies, financial institutions (FIs) and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professionals… Read More

June 3, 2024 @ 4:16 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is launching a new public directory to detect repeat offenders. The agency notes that while many financial services firms are widely known, and thus any alleged transgressions are reported, there are many firms that do not hit the public… Read More

June 3, 2024 @ 3:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Lower inflation and expectations of interest-rate cuts on global financial markets have helped loosen financial conditions, which has reduced near-term risks, according to an update from Sweden’s Riksbank. However, Riksbank points out that there “is considerable uncertainty, and if policy rates remain high for a… Read More

June 3, 2024 @ 6:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Richard Andrews, KPMG’s head of ESG for financial services, has recently commented on the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) anti-greenwashing rules (AGR), which come into force recently. Andrews noted: “While we expect the FCA to take a pragmatic approach and give authorised firms some leeway… Read More

June 2, 2024 @ 5:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the International Financial Centre of the UAE’s capital, has released a Consultation Paper in order to seek views on its proposals on the comprehensive revamp of its real property regulatory framework. This regulatory revamp addresses market needs and “ensures we… Read More

June 1, 2024 @ 10:38 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

The American Fintech Council, an association representing Fintech companies and BaaS banks, has submitted a response to the US Department of Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Request for Information (RFI) related to existing requirements for banks under the Customer Identification Program (CIP) Rule. The… Read More

May 31, 2024 @ 10:32 am By JD Alois  |  

The  Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion, part of the House Financial Services Committee, has scheduled a hearing to review the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). Typically, this entails utilizing blockchain (or DLT) technology to turn assets into digital assets.  While traditional securities… Read More

May 31, 2024 @ 10:22 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Marie Seiller has reportedly been appointed Resources, Operations and Transformation Director at the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF). Currently Chief accountant at the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), Marie Seiller will head “the Resources, Operations and Transformation Directorate (DRST) from 27 May 2024.” In this… Read More

May 31, 2024 @ 9:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ripple, the provider of enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, announced today a $25 million contribution to Fairshake, a federal super PAC committed to supporting pro-crypto, pro-innovation political candidates during the 2024 elections. This investment is in addition to the $25 million Ripple contributed “to Fairshake… Read More

May 30, 2024 @ 9:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) recently announced that rule amendments supporting the move to a shorter settlement cycle for equity and long-term debt market trades came into force in Canada. The amendments to National Instrument 24-101 Institutional Trade Matching and Settlement align with the industry’s… Read More

May 30, 2024 @ 11:48 am By JD Alois  |  

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has publicly shared a comment on a consultation in the UK. Launched last April, the proposal is for a Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS) initiated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England. The deadline for feedback from interested… Read More

May 30, 2024 @ 10:03 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has shared a consumer alert update for Gemini Earn customers. Gemini Trust Company, a New York State chartered virtual currency entity, has reportedly returned more than $2 billion in digital assets to Earn customers. The NYDFS has… Read More

May 28, 2024 @ 12:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

Ryan Salame (30), a former top executive of FTX, has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison for his role in the crypto firm’s activities. Sam Bankman Fried, the founder and CEO of FTX, was eventually sentenced to 25 years in prison for his… Read More

May 27, 2024 @ 9:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SilverRock Bank recently announced the granting of its banking authorization with restrictions by the Prudential Regulation Authority after the completion of a £50m investment round. SilverRock’s business model and overall strategy is mainly said to be built to partner with non-bank and other lenders to… Read More