Politics, Legal & Regulation

February 5, 2024 @ 8:44 am By Michael Wong  |  

Senior members of the House Financial Services Committee have formally questioned the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) over its approach towards Fintech and innovation. Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), along with Subcommittee Chairmen Andy Barr (KY-06) and French Hill (AR-02), addressed their concerns in a… Read More

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

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed fraud charges against American Bitcoin Academy operated by Rockwell Capital Management and founder Brian Sewel. The company and Sewel have agreed to settle the charges without admitting or denying the allegations. Rockwell Capital Management has also agreed to… Read More

February 2, 2024 @ 1:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

In an X, Congressman Mike Flood revealed a Joint Resolution to revoke the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin 121. This SAB was enacted in 2022 and impacted the digital asset industry. The SAB addressed the “accounting for obligations to… Read More

February 2, 2024 @ 1:18 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this week, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) issued a comment letter criticizing the Expanding Access to Capital Act (HR 2799). This legislation was introduced into Congress last year but has yet to move forward with a Committee vote. Sponsored by the Chairman… Read More

February 1, 2024 @ 10:34 pm By JD Alois  |  

The European Union (EU) is pursuing a policy to improve the environment for listings on the various European stock exchanges. According to a statement issued today, the European Council and Parliament have now reached a consensus on a “provisional agreement” for a package that will… Read More

February 1, 2024 @ 8:15 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Celsius Network LLC announced that it has emerged from bankruptcy by completing the transactions under its confirmed plan of reorganization. The plan was reportedly “approved by approximately 98% of the company’s account holders and confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New… Read More

January 31, 2024 @ 7:05 pm By JD Alois  |  

Ram Ahluwalia, founder of PeerIQ (sold) and now founder of Lumida, has slammed Chairman Gary Gensler, claiming the damage he has done to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is significant. Ahluwalia references an article that quoted former SEC Commissioner Michael Piwowar. In the article… Read More

January 31, 2024 @ 11:19 am By JD Alois  |  

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) posted two consultations on crypto this week—one consultation on reverse solicitation and another on the classification of crypto-assets as financial instruments. The European Union (EU) has approved bespoke rules for crypto under MiCA or Markets in Crypto Assets regulation…. Read More

January 31, 2024 @ 8:00 am By April M. Minarik  |  

Domain names serve as a vital gateway to the digital world, defining and distinguishing the online presence of any business. In a rapidly evolving cyber realm, the implications of domain names span business integrity, intellectual property (IP) rights, and brand identity. This article explores domain… Read More

January 30, 2024 @ 3:09 pm By JD Alois  |  

As was reported yesterday the founders and promoters of Hyperfund, an alleged $1.89 billion crypto fraud, face both a civil action by the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as criminal charges brought by the US Department of Justice. Sam Lee has been charged in… Read More

January 29, 2024 @ 10:24 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against HyperFund and its principles alleging a $1.7 billion “Crypto Pyramid scheme.” Founders Xue Lee (aka Sam Lee) and Brenda Chunga (aka Bitcoin Beautee) were said to have promoted HyperFund which allegedly claimed guaranteed returns for… Read More

January 29, 2024 @ 10:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Bank of England and HM Treasury have published their response to the consultation on a digital pound that was launched in February 2023. No final decision has been made “to pursue a digital pound – also called a central bank digital currency (CBDC).” Work… Read More

January 29, 2024 @ 7:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The number of enforcement actions issued to global financial institutions in 2023 “reached staggering levels that have rarely been seen in the US,” according to SteelEye’s Annual Fine Tracker. SteelEye analyzed financial penalties issued “by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures… Read More

January 28, 2024 @ 7:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Elwood Technologies LLP, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that provides institutional-grade access to digital asset exchanges and liquidity venues, announced it has been authorized as a service company by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This authorization applies to Elwood’s execution management system (EMS) in “relation… Read More

January 24, 2024 @ 3:28 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Institutions & Monetary Policy Subcommittee, part of the House Financial Services Committee, has scheduled a hearing on banking regulation. The hearing is entitled Rules Without Analysis: Federal Banking Proposals Under the Biden Administration. While there is no information regarding the specifics of the… Read More

January 24, 2024 @ 11:09 am By JD Alois  |  

Today, at an open meeting, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed new rules that will cover SPACs or Special Purpose Acquisition Companies. SPACs are “blank check” firms that are public firms that are created to enact a merger or acquisition of another firm. As… Read More

January 24, 2024 @ 9:27 am By JD Alois  |  

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has appointed  Stefan Walter as its new Chief Executive Officer.  Walter will step into the role on April 1, 2024 with Birgit Rutishauser acting as interim CEO. Urban Angehrn resigned from the leadership position at FINMA at the… Read More

January 23, 2024 @ 4:20 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revealed an order demanding Crowd Machine, Metavine, and founder Craig Sproule to disgorge $19,676,401.27 raised in an “unregistered and fraudulent offering of crypto asset securities.” Additionally, pre-judgment interest in the amount of $3,358,147.75 is being added to the… Read More

January 23, 2024 @ 1:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

FINRA, the organization that regulates all of the broker-dealers in the United States, says a recent review of crypto communications indicates potential violations at a whopping 70% of the information reviewed. FINRA has not identified any firms that may be providing information that is in… Read More

January 23, 2024 @ 12:22 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned Alexander Ermakov for the 2022 ransomware attack against Medibank Private Limited, an Australian insurer. The US worked in concert with Australia and the United Kingdom on the designation. Ermakov is believed… Read More