Politics, Legal & Regulation

July 31, 2023 @ 10:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had reportedly requested Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) to halt trading in all virtual currencies with the exception of Bitcoin (BTC) prior to filing a lawsuit against the crypto exchange in June of this year, the Financial Times revealed on Monday… Read More

July 31, 2023 @ 9:20 am By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Conduct Authority  (FCA) now has a higher duty when it comes to “consumer protection.”  As of today, the regulator has a new standard when it comes to financial services oversight. As outlined by the FCA: “You should expect:  helpful and accessible customer support,… Read More

July 31, 2023 @ 8:15 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Christian Niedermueller, CEO of Blocktrade, has commented on the evolving European crypto landscape during a recent interview with CI and shared his experience leading Blocktrade through this turbulent period in the industry. For context, Blocktrade is a gamified asset marketplace that raised 5.6 million EUR… Read More

July 29, 2023 @ 3:39 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week adopted rules requiring registrants to disclose material cybersecurity incidents they experience and, on an annual basis, material information regarding their cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance. The SEC also adopted rules requiring foreign private issuers to make… Read More

July 29, 2023 @ 10:55 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

This week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed new rules requiring broker-dealers and investment advisers to address conflicts of interest associated with their use of predictive data analytics and similar technologies to interact with investors. The proposed regulations are designed to prevent firms from… Read More

July 28, 2023 @ 11:38 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Chief Accountant – Paul Munter, has posted a statement on “potential pitfalls of purported crypto assurance work. Munter states that in light of the many scandals of fraud in the cryptosphere, claims by platforms that they retain 3rd party… Read More

July 28, 2023 @ 10:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Craig Salm, Chief Legal Officer at Grayscale, notes that as we all await a decision from the DC Circuit in their lawsuit to convert GBTC to a spot bitcoin ETF, the firm’s legal team at Davis Polk submitted a comment letter “to GBTC’s pending 19b-4… Read More

July 28, 2023 @ 7:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto.com announced that it has been approved for registration with De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) as a provider of crypto services. This registration confirmation reportedly follows “a comprehensive review of Crypto.com’s business and compliance in line with the Netherlands’ Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Prevention) Act… Read More

July 27, 2023 @ 3:17 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK and Singapore have reaffirmed their commitment to partner in certain areas when it comes to Fintech innovation. Both countries are viewed as two of the top Fintech hubs in the world. Sustainable finance was on the list with a statement on the need… Read More

July 26, 2023 @ 10:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT Act), comprehensive legislation designed to create a new regulatory approach for digital assets, was approved by the House Financial Services Committee today. The legislation is now ready for a potential floor vote of the… Read More

July 26, 2023 @ 9:21 pm By JD Alois  |  

As was expected, the US Federal Reserve increased benchmark rates by 25 basis points today. Markets had long anticipated the move, which pushed rates to the highest they have been in over 22 years. In the Federal Open Market Committee statement, the bank said that… Read More

July 26, 2023 @ 12:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee is holding a markup hearing today for several bills of interest. At the top of the list is the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT Act) – legislation that aims to define a regulatory approach for… Read More

July 26, 2023 @ 11:41 am By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed charges against Michael and Amanda Griffis of Clarksville, Tennessee, according to a statement issued by the Commission. The complaint charges the defendants with defrauding over 100 people and failing to register with the CFTC in connection with a… Read More

July 25, 2023 @ 9:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issued the Annual Performance Report of the Saudi Finance Companies Sector 2022. The report outlines the sector’s key developments and financial results in 2022. According to the report, most indicators in the finance companies sector “grew at varying rates in… Read More

July 25, 2023 @ 1:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a statement on the recent bust-up over Coutts canceling a high-profile account due to its internal “values.”  Coutts, which is owned by NatWest, shut down the account of former UKIP leader and noted Brexit supporter Nigel Farage… Read More

July 25, 2023 @ 8:22 am By JD Alois  |  

The Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act of 2023 (HR 4766) will be discussed in a markup hearing today of the House Financial Services Committee. During the hearing, the language of the bill will be reviewed, and additional amendments may or may not be added before… Read More

July 24, 2023 @ 7:57 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has scheduled an open meeting for later this week. On Wednesday, the Commission will consider new rules for several items. According to the agenda, the Commission will consider. Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure – Division of… Read More

July 24, 2023 @ 12:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), part of the Bank of England, has assessed a “record fine” on Credit Suisse due to its exposure to Archegos Capital Management. Archegos collapsed spectacularly in 2022 leaving losses of billions of dollars. The failure has led to both criminal… Read More

July 24, 2023 @ 10:42 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published final guidance on the new Consumer Duty initiative last year. Firms are expected to implement the requirements by the end of this month. Consumer Duty sets a “standard of care” for financial services firms in retail markets aiming… Read More

July 23, 2023 @ 10:41 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Following 2 successful pilots, the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Digital Sandbox will be “made available permanently on 1 August 2023, opening up the platform to an even broader range of innovative businesses, start-ups and data providers.” The Digital Sandbox is a testing environment that… Read More