Politics, Legal & Regulation

July 31, 2024 @ 2:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Federal Reserve has held rates steady, holding off on rate cuts that many anticipate this coming fall. While Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said they had made much progress on their goal of inflation of 2% and full employment, the Federal Open Market Committee… Read More

July 31, 2024 @ 1:06 pm By JD Alois  |  

Recently, the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC) issued a recommendation to the Commission to adjust the threshold when issuers using the Reg CF securities exemption are required to provide reviewed financials. The formal letter told the Commission the hurdle should be moved… Read More

July 31, 2024 @ 10:31 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against the founder of BitClout, alleging securities fraud. Nader Al-Naji (aka Diamondhands) is said to have raised over $257 million in a scheme for the sale of unregistered securities – the token BTCLT. Simultaneously, criminal charges… Read More

July 30, 2024 @ 4:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may be withdrawing its charges against third-party crypto tokens like Solana’s SOL as well as Polygon’s MATIC. These digital tokens have been part of the regulator’s lengthy case against crypto exchange Binance, Breaking: #Solana $SOL is no longer… Read More

July 30, 2024 @ 1:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Biden Administration has sought to undermine the digital asset industry. Leading the anti-crypto charge has been Gary Gensler, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. As President Joe Biden has recently exited the Presidential campaign, this may lead to a change in policy posture for the current… Read More

July 30, 2024 @ 11:25 am By JD Alois  |  

Digital asset firms have vocally supported the candidacy of former President Donald Trump. The Biden Administration has long been hostile towards crypto, with SEC Chairman Gary Gensler leading the charge of undermining this sector of Fintech, choosing to regulate crypto by enforcement. This means that… Read More

July 30, 2024 @ 10:53 am By JD Alois  |  

The Bank of England has posted a Discussion Paper on the payments ecosystem. The Paper looks to review innovations in payments and how they can impact the Bank’s monetary and financial stability objectives while bringing opportunities and improvements. The Paper outlines the Bank’s current plans,… Read More

July 30, 2024 @ 10:28 am By JD Alois  |  

Deeptech Labs will be partnering with British Business Investments to funnel £10 million in funding to deep tech firms in the UK as part of the Regional Angels Programme. British Business Investments, a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank. The mission is to… Read More

July 30, 2024 @ 9:19 am By JD Alois  |  

As the UK pushes aims to improve its financial services market, including Fintechs, the Bank of England and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), have announced a new Cost Benefit Analysis Panel (CBA Panel). This new Panel will proffer advice on the impact of new rules or… Read More

July 29, 2024 @ 11:29 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) have issued a joint statement highlighting potential risks associated with banks’ partnerships with third parties, particularly Fintech firms. The regulators aim to underscore the importance of effective risk… Read More

July 29, 2024 @ 11:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, alongside international antitrust enforcers and the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, issued a statement affirming a commitment “to protecting competition across the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem to ensure effective competition that provides fair and honest treatment for both consumers and… Read More

July 29, 2024 @ 3:12 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry, has named Kim Betz as the new staff director for the Committee. McHenry issued a statement indicating Betz has been a close confident and top advisor during his tenure as the Chair. “Her deep experience… Read More

July 29, 2024 @ 11:24 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a statement affirming its mission to simplify and reduce the cost of firms in need of growth capital. The FCA seeks to reduce the burden on businesses raising money. The announcement follows the new “Consumer Duty,” which… Read More

July 28, 2024 @ 4:42 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Finance leaders from the Group of 20 major economies issued their first-ever joint declaration on Friday, Reuters reported. They committed to cooperating on effectively taxing the world’s wealthiest individuals. However, this unity masks deeper disagreements about the appropriate forum to advance this agenda. In their… Read More

July 27, 2024 @ 1:31 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK is looking to boost access to capital for private firms – beyond the existing crowdfunding regime and established exchanges. Currently, for approved investment crowdfunding platforms it is difficult to raise more than £5 million due to prospectus requirements. The proposal aims to make… Read More

July 27, 2024 @ 1:00 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The central bank of the Philippines will resume accepting applications for digital banking licenses after a three-year moratorium, signaling a significant expansion in the burgeoning sector. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the number of available slots for new entrants will… Read More

July 26, 2024 @ 3:22 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission  (CFTC) says a US district court in Texas has ordered a Texas man, Abner Alejandro Tinoco, and his company, Kikit & Mess Investments, LLC, to fork over $31 million regarding crypto and forex fraud. According to the CFTC, the court… Read More

July 26, 2024 @ 11:12 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK is trying to reinvigorate its moribund public markets by making it easier to list shares and updating new rules. Today, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is announcing final rules that will replace the current prospectus regulation to become a public firm. A consultation has commenced, closing in October…. Read More

July 25, 2024 @ 10:17 pm By JD Alois  |  

BlockFi, once a top crypto platform that eventually filed for bankruptcy, reported on X today that clients are now expected to receive 100% of outstanding (eligible) claims. Part of the equation is the company’s claims against FTX, which were purchased by investors. FTX has already… Read More

July 25, 2024 @ 12:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has released a “Dear CEO” letter outlining the results emanating from a thematic review focused on Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) operating within Company Service Providers (CSPs) set up as corporate entities. As highlighted in the latest rendition of… Read More