Politics, Legal & Regulation

Policy and regulations impacting innovations in Finance.

US Judge Says CFTC Exceeded its Statutory Authority, Regulator Has No Authority to Second-Guess Election Contracts

The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has no authority to second-guess election contracts, according to recent statements issued by a US Judge. The opinion on the Kalshi‘s lawsuit brought against the CFTC may have significant potential implications for an ongoing/current proposal that aims to place… Read More

UK FCA Charges First Individual with Running Network of Illegal Crypto ATMs

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has charged Mr Olumide Osunkoya, who is 45 and resides in London, for “unlawfully running multiple crypto ATMs without FCA registration.” Crypto ATMs are machines that “allow you to buy or convert money into cryptoassets.” Mr Osunkoya is accused of running… Read More

BRIDGE Digital Assets Act Introduced in Congress: Aims to Establish Advisory Committee to Update Rules to Boost Digital Asset Innovation

Digital asset innovation has meandered in the US primarily due to the byzantine regulatory ecosystem which is based on rules established before crypto was even a thing. Today, Representative John Rose of Tennessee has introduced new legislation into Congress that aims to chart a path… Read More

SEC Investor Advisory Committee Publishes Agenda: Investment Advice and Litigation on the List

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Investor Advisory Committee (IAC), has published its agenda for its meeting next week. The IAC will focus on two panels: Investment Advice: A History and Update on Who is Required to Serve in Your Best Interest; and Key Topics… Read More

Halt! eToro to Stop Trading Most Crypto in the US Following SEC Settlement: “We now have a clear regulatory framework”

eToro USA will halt nearly all crypto trading activity following an agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The settlement also requires eToro to pay a $1.5 million fine. eToro has agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the allegations. Going forward, eToro… Read More

tZERO Receives Approval to Custody Digital Securities, Support End-to-End Digital Securities Lifecycle in the US

tZERO Group Inc., says it has received approval for its tZERO Digital Asset Securities as “a new Special Purpose Broker-Dealer for digital asset securities custody.” The company states that this is only one of two licenses for “a regulated broker-dealer digital asset security custodian that… Read More

Manx Financial Group CEO Comments on Moribund UK GDP Data

UK economic data delivered an update today that landed with a thud. GDP unexpectedly showed no growth during the month of July with analysts anticipating 0.2% growth. The commentariat chattered that moribund growth will challenge the relatively new Labour government as it struggles to bolster… Read More

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council Warns About Damaging Policies Advocated by the Harris Campaign

Following Vice President Kamala Harris’s proposal to boost the startup deduction if elected President, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) posted its feedback on the policy. Harris has recently highlighted her vision of fostering an economy of opportunity. While details are few, the startup… Read More

Financial Regulators Warn Consumers About Relationship Scams Like Pig Butchering, Crypto Scams

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Office of Customer Education and Outreach (OCEO), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) have jointly issued a statement cautioning consumers on affinity or… Read More

SEC Announces New Members to the Investor Advisory Committee, Meeting on September 19th

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced new members on the Investor Advisory Committee (IAC). While having no regulatory authority, the IAC advises the Commission on issues impacting investors. Each member serves a term of 5 years. More members are expected to be announced… Read More

SEC Said Keurig Stretched Truth on Recyclability, Company Settles by Paying $1.5 Million Penalty

Popular coffee capsule company Keurig will have to pay a $1.5 million penalty as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claims it made “inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pods.” The SEC claims that Kuerig stated in annual reports that their pods could be… Read More

FBI Releases Latest Crypto Fraud Report: Over $5 Billion Lost to Fraudulent Activities

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has published the 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report. The FBI released its Cryptocurrency Fraud Report for the past year. In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center “received more than 69,000 complaints from the public regarding cyber-enabled crime and financial fraud… Read More

Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Banks Commit to Enhancing SME Financing

Hong Kong City

The joint Taskforce on SME Lending, established by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), recently held its inaugural meeting attended by representatives from the HKMA, HKAB, and 14 banks actively involved in lending to small and medium-sized… Read More

House Financial Services Committee Reports Series of Bills Targeting China

House Financial Services Committee Republicans have issued a statement on their efforts to “combat the economic threat from the Chinese Communist Party.” China has become more jingoist under the leadership of  President Xi Jinping. The Chairman of the CCP has sought to curtail economic freedom… Read More

North American Securities Administrators Association Reaches Settlement Over Digital Asset Investments with GSB Group Based in Germany

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) says it has reached a settlement with GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG (GS Partners or GSB Group), a Fintech and banking firm that allegedly solicited more than 800,000 investors around the world to participate in investments including digital… Read More

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) Expected to Propose Rule on For Benefit Of (FBO) Accounts, Will Impact Fintechs: Report

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) is expected to propose new rules impacting For Benefit Of (FBO) accounts which will affect the neobanking sector. According to a report by Bloomberg, the FDIC will make the proposal as soon as this month. This follows the Synapse… Read More

G7 Calls for Global AI Regulation and Cybersecurity Standards

National legislatures will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and enhancing cybersecurity, according to a statement released by representatives of the Group of Seven (G7) countries. The statement was issued at the conclusion of the G7 Speakers’ Meeting held… Read More

Chainalysis Shares Insights on Russia’s Crypto Pivot: Legislated Sanctions Evasion

Chainalysis has shared key insights focused on Russia’s cryptocurrency pivot as well as legislated sanctions “evasion.” In response to mounting financial pressures of Western sanctions, Russia enacted significant legislation “legalizing cryptocurrency mining and permitting the use of cryptocurrency for international payments.” Chainalysis added that the… Read More

ClearBank Comments on APP Fraud Reimburse

As was reported earlier, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has decided to review the reimbursement cap on App fraud with the intent to set it at £85,00. This has been widely embraced by the payments sector as previously the reimbursement cap was expected to be… Read More

Two Legal Experts Comment on OpenSea Wells Notice and Potential SEC Enforcement Action: Are NFTs Securities?

Last week, OpenSea, a popular NFT [non-fungible token] marketplace, revealed that it had received a Wells Notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The missive indicates a good probability of a forthcoming enforcement action against the firm. While NFTs are largely aligned with digital… Read More

Send this to a friend