Politics, Legal & Regulation

February 19, 2024 @ 6:40 pm By JD Alois  |  

Bryan Zhang, the co-founder and Executive Director of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), has been appointed to the Board of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Zhang commenced his initial three-year term as a non-executive Director today (February 19, 2024). The FCA is… Read More

February 19, 2024 @ 5:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Failed crypto exchange FTX‘s creditors are reportedly suing bankruptcy law firm Sullivan & Cromwell (S&C), as part of an extensive lawsuit that is alleging major fraud involvement. Digital currency exchange FTX creditors are now seeking damages against Sullivan & Cromwell for its previous engagements with… Read More

February 18, 2024 @ 8:48 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Following a recent collaborative “mystery shopping” exercise between the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and the European Banking Authority (EBA), several credit institutions have “proactively taken steps to enhance consumer service levels based on the Authority’s recommendations.” The evaluation focused on personal loans and payment… Read More

February 17, 2024 @ 3:58 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Honduras has issued a comprehensive ban on cryptocurrency trading within its financial system, according to a resolution from the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBS). The regulation, which took immediate effect upon its announcement on Friday, prohibits financial institutions in the country from engaging in… Read More

February 16, 2024 @ 9:41 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has penalized Van Eck, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and mutual fund manager, for not disclosing the role of an “influencer” in the launch of a new ETF. The specific ETF was the VanEck Social Sentiment (VEAC) ETF (NYSE:BUZZ). Van… Read More

February 15, 2024 @ 3:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has obtained a final judgment against She Beverage and its principles, including Lupe L. Rose, Sonja F. Shelby, and Katherine E. Dirden. The charges pertain to a suit filed by the SEC in 2021. Approximately 2000 investors were impacted… Read More

February 14, 2024 @ 11:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Banxa Holdings Inc. is pleased to announce it is the first firm in 2024 to register as a cryptoasset business with United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Management believes this is a critical milestone towards “fulfilling Banxa‘s mission to extend the benefits of crypto to… Read More

February 14, 2024 @ 5:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission has submitted a rule change that will slightly increase the amount of money that can be committed to a “qualifying venture capital fund” for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Act). The increase would raise the cap from… Read More

February 14, 2024 @ 10:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In 2023, the Bank of Russia reports that it had identified 5,735 different entities (companies, projects, individual entrepreneurs and others) with signs of illegal activity , including signs of financial pyramids. According to a report from the Bank of Russia, this is 15.5% more than… Read More

February 13, 2024 @ 5:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Federal Trade Commission data show that consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, “marking the first time that fraud losses have reached that benchmark.” This marks a 14% increase “over reported losses in 2022.” Consumers reported losing more money “to investment… Read More

February 12, 2024 @ 10:58 am By Omar Faridi  |  

New York Attorney General Letitia James recenty filed an amended complaint, expanding the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) lawsuit against Digital Currency Group, Inc., DCG’s CEO, Barry Silbert, and Genesis Global Capital, LLC and its affiliates’ (Genesis) former CEO, Soichiro Moro, for allegedly “defrauding… Read More

February 9, 2024 @ 4:23 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

The American Fintech Council (AFC), an association representing Fintech companies, has requested that the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau (CFPB) immediately convene relevant stakeholders for a comprehensive conversation on EWA products and consideration of formal rulemaking. “Director Chopra and the CFPB have been thoughtful partners and… Read More

February 9, 2024 @ 10:27 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has assessed a combined penalty of $81 million to sixteen financial services firms for transgressions involving electronic communications. Each penalized firm has agreed to the penalties. The SEC Division of Enforcement said there have been “pervasive and longstanding uses… Read More

February 8, 2024 @ 10:11 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee, part of the House Financial Services Committee, has scheduled a hearing entitled, “Crypto Crime in Context Part II: Examining Approaches to Combat Illicit Activity.” The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 2 PM ET…. Read More

February 8, 2024 @ 3:01 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this week, the Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, testified in front of the House Financial Services Committee. The hearing was scheduled to review the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC). This is a group of federal financial regulators, and others, gathered to address risks… Read More

February 7, 2024 @ 1:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed another enforcement action targeting a digital asset firm. The SEC has filed charges against TradeStation Crypto, alleging an unregistered offering of a “crypto asset lending product.” TradeStation Crypto has settled the charges without admitting or denying the… Read More

February 7, 2024 @ 8:13 am By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Technology Association (FTA) has issued a statement on the Protecting Innovation in Investment Act. The FTA supports the legislation, explaining that it will support consumers ability to benefit from wealth-building services by blocking the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from undermining tech advancement… Read More

February 7, 2024 @ 7:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Binance announced that it will delist several crypto tokens, including privacy coin Monero. The list includes ANT, MULTI, VAI, and XMR, which will be removed on February 20th, 2024. Binance claims it regularly reviews each digital asset it lists to ensure that it “continues to… Read More

February 6, 2024 @ 3:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to issue new rules at a breakneck pace. Today, the Commission has adopted new rules that impact “market participants who engage in certain dealer roles.” These market participants who shoulder significant liquidity roles in markets must soon register… Read More

February 5, 2024 @ 7:28 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has posted a note that the California court has entered judgments against former Bitwise CEOs Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin, Jr. The SEC alleged that the two former executives had misled investors about the company’s finances. Without admitting or… Read More