Politics, Legal & Regulation

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

May 26, 2024 @ 5:27 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

This week, Marqeta welcomed the recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule on BNPL providers. In a statement, Marqeta said it appreciates the agency’s efforts to promote consistent consumer protection standards, including for BNPL. “As BNPL providers reach greater levels of mainstream adoption, industry standardization… Read More

May 24, 2024 @ 10:15 am By JD Alois  |  

Stand with Crypto, an advocacy group that supports appropriate regulation of the digital asset sector, has set up shop in the UK. While the UK is moving forward with bespoke regulation, it has been more challenging in the US. The US House of Representatives recently… Read More

May 24, 2024 @ 8:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) is focused on carrying out DLT or distributed ledger technology trials, which are currently underway. The Eurosystem is currently testing distributed ledger technology (DLT) for wholesale transactions in central bank money. During these trials, 16 private firms as well as… Read More

May 23, 2024 @ 2:26 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at deterring the use of a central bank digital currency, or CBDC. The CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act (HR 5403) vote was 216 for and 192 against.  22 members did not vote. While all of the Republicans… Read More

May 23, 2024 @ 10:44 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interpretive rule impacting buy now pay later (BNPL) providers. BNPL providers have emerged as a popular alternative to credit cards, as their interest rates are typically lower than credit cards. At the same time, many platforms… Read More

May 23, 2024 @ 8:48 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined HSBC £6,280,100 for the poor treatment of its customers. According to the FCA, HSBC failed to properly consider people’s circumstances when they had missed payments. This transgression took place between June 2017 and October 2018. The FCA… Read More

May 22, 2024 @ 7:09 pm By JD Alois  |  

After an impassioned debate by multiple Democrats criticizing the legislation, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21), HR 4763, has been approved by the US House of Representatives. The final vote showed solid support as 208 Republicans were joined by 71… Read More