Politics, Legal & Regulation

December 14, 2023 @ 9:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) published an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) intended to improve the accounting for and disclosure of certain crypto assets. FASB Chair Richard R. Jones said: “The new standard responds to feedback from stakeholders of all backgrounds who indicated that improving… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 10:07 am By JD Alois  |  

In a settlement with the State of New York, crypto exchange KuCoin has admitted that it operates a crypto trading platform that is effectively providing a service where users can buy or sell securities and commodities as defined by the State of New York. KuCoin… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision met virtually on 5 and 7 December to discuss a range of policy and supervisory initiatives. The Committee took stock of its review of various elements of “the prudential standard for banks’ exposures to crypto-assets published in December 2022.”… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:35 am By Michael Wong  |  

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a “regulatory sandbox” framework, issuing preliminary guidelines to foster innovation in the financial technology (Fintech) sector. This initiative, part of the central bank’s Vision 2028 strategy, aims to create a more collaborative regulatory environment for startups and… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 9:01 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been pounded the drums for some time now on the interest earned by consumers on cash balances held on various platforms. While interest rates have risen dramatically in the past couple of years, many financial institutions have been… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto exchange Binance, which recently agreed to pay a massive $4.3 billion+ as part of an unprecedented settlement with US regulators, is now preparing to leave the Russian market. The company will also end support for Ruble-based transactions due to regulatory challenges. Binance confirmed that… Read More

December 11, 2023 @ 10:17 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

The CEO of the American Fintech Council voiced his support for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s recent statements on BNPL products. Phil Goldfeder said they provide clarity for banks and fintechs that offer responsible BNPL services. Goldfeder explained that responsibility includes identifying… Read More

December 11, 2023 @ 8:45 am By Michael Wong  |  

The European Union (EU) is set to significantly expand the powers of the European Central Bank (ECB), entrusting it with the oversight of risks associated with climate change and the burgeoning digital asset market. This sweeping update, detailed earlier this week, positions the ECB at… Read More

December 10, 2023 @ 9:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

More people could access advice or support to help make their money “work harder” under proposals set out today by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Government. The potential options aim to help more people benefit from investment opportunities, provide for later life, “save… Read More

December 10, 2023 @ 4:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced a series of new initiatives in digital finance and capital markets, aimed at strengthening financial cooperation with China. These initiatives were unveiled at the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in Tianjin, co-chaired by Singapore Deputy… Read More

December 10, 2023 @ 3:33 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Experts in Kenya have criticized digital lenders for charging high interest rates, often perceived as infringing consumer rights. Reportedly, the average interest rate for a 30-day digital loan ranges from 20-30% for online lenders, based on the borrower’s risk profile. For a Sh1,000 loan, the… Read More

December 8, 2023 @ 7:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Abaxx Technologies Inc., a financial software and market infrastructure company, majority shareholder of the Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse, announces that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has granted an Approved Clearinghouse (ACH) license and Recognized Market Operator (RMO) license “to Abaxx Singapore’s fully owned… Read More

December 8, 2023 @ 11:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

DTCC, the post-trade market infrastructure for the global financial services industry, issued its annual Systemic Risk Barometer Survey results, which have “identified Geopolitical Risks, Inflation, U.S. Political Uncertainty / 2024 U.S. Presidential Election and Cyber Risk as the most significant threats to the financial services… Read More

December 8, 2023 @ 9:55 am By JD Alois  |  

This week, the Chief Executives of the largest banks in the United States visited with the US Senate Banking Committee for the Annual Oversight of Wall Street Firms. Much of the discussion revolved around the “Basel 3 End Game” (B3E) a new set of banking… Read More

December 6, 2023 @ 5:21 pm By JD Alois  |  

Today, Chairman Gary Gensler announced an update to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regulatory agenda for the fall of 2023. While we have not compared with the prior iteration, topics like Reg D and Accredited Investor definition,  12-g rules and ATS updates are still on… Read More

December 5, 2023 @ 4:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina and current Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has announced his intent not to seek re-election to the seat in Congress he has held for 20 years. In a statement posted on the Congressman’s website, he… Read More

December 4, 2023 @ 1:26 pm By JD Alois  |  

The SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC) returned to meet this past week with the definition of an Accredited Investor at the top of the list for discussion. The SBCFAC provides guidance to the Commission on issues that impact smaller firms, which frequently… Read More

December 4, 2023 @ 8:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced that it is setting out forbearance measures for investment company cost disclosure. The FCA says it has now set out temporary measures “to give investment companies greater ability to explain their costs and charges to help consumers make… Read More

December 4, 2023 @ 7:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto.com, which claims to be “trusted” by more than 80 million customers worldwide, announced that it has been authorized as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This approval follows Crypto.com’s registration “as a cryptoasset business with the FCA in… Read More

December 3, 2023 @ 3:00 pm By Michael Wong  |  

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has voiced strong opposition to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), emphasizing the risks they pose to individual freedoms and privacy. In a recent social media post, Ramaswamy firmly rejected the idea of CBDCs, suggesting they pave the way for… Read More