Politics, Legal & Regulation

August 2, 2023 @ 10:30 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Binance, which claims to be the world’s largest virtual currency exchange, was expected to leave China behind when the nation officially made cryptocurrency trading illegal back in 2021. Two years later, clients have reported traded $90 billion worth of crypto-focused assets in China during a… Read More

August 1, 2023 @ 2:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Association of Online Investment Platforms (AOIP) has sent a letter to Congress asking policymakers to move forward legislation that aims to support access to capital for smaller firms and entrepreneurs. The AOIP was created to advocate on behalf of online capital formation for private… Read More

July 31, 2023 @ 4:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Binance, which is being sued by US regulators for a wide range of issues, is pleased to announce that their Dubai subsidiary, Binance FZE, has reportedly become the first exchange “to receive the Operational Minimum Viable Product (MVP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority… Read More

July 31, 2023 @ 12:10 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges for an unregistered securities offering involving crypto. According to the SEC, Richard Heart, also known as Richard Schueler, along with three separate firms, Hex, PulseX, and PulseChain, raised over $1 billion in an unregistered securities offering…. Read More

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