Politics, Legal & Regulation

May 11, 2023 @ 7:54 am By JD Alois  |  

The Republic of Estonia has revealed that 100 active firms are providing digital asset services under new rules designed to incorporate stricter AML/KYC requirements. At the same time, the new rules have invalidated 389 crypto firms which were previously authorized but no longer meet the… Read More

May 11, 2023 @ 6:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ishan Wahi was sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly “tipping his associates regarding crypto-assets that were going to be listed on Coinbase Exchanges.” Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced “that ISHAN WAHI, a former product… Read More

May 9, 2023 @ 10:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) seeks public consultation on the draft “Rules for Regulating Buy Now Pay later (BNPL) Companies.” In the interest of transparency and wider participation, SAMA reportedly “invites stakeholders and public to provide suggestions and observations on the draft Rules by visiting… Read More

May 9, 2023 @ 9:18 am By JD Alois  |  

Tomorrow, the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy will hold a hearing on the Federal Responses to Recent Bank Failures. The witnesses scheduled to testify include: Margaret E. Tahyar, Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP Jonathan Gould, Partner, Jones Day Thomas Michaud, President… Read More

May 9, 2023 @ 8:40 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Bittrex, Inc. released the following statement today regarding Bittrex U.S.’ decision to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy: “Having previously announced that Bittrex, Inc. would be ceasing all operations in the U.S. effective April 30th, we have now made the decision to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in… Read More

May 8, 2023 @ 10:22 am By JD Alois  |  

Announced last week, the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion has scheduled a hearing on digital assets. The hearing entitled The Future of Digital Assets: Measuring the Regulatory Gaps in the Digital Asset Markets, is a joint hearing with the Agriculture Subcommittee… Read More

May 7, 2023 @ 2:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has reportedly imposed on DBS Bank Ltd (DBS Bank) an additional capital requirement, “following the widespread unavailability of DBS Bank’s digital banking services on 29 March 2023 and a subsequent disruption to its digital banking and ATM services on… Read More

May 5, 2023 @ 7:44 pm By JD Alois  |  

Republic has submitted a comment letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the proposed rulemaking on Safeguarding Advisory Client Assets. Republic is one of the largest securities crowdfunding platforms in the US, providing access to capital via the full stack of private exemptions…. Read More

May 5, 2023 @ 7:11 pm By JD Alois  |  

At the end of 2022, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Roger Marshall partnered on a bill targeting the digital asset industry. The bipartisan legislation, the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, seeks to  close “loopholes in the existing anti-money laundering and countering of the financing of terrorism… Read More

May 5, 2023 @ 10:51 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the largest-ever whistleblower award to the tune of $279 million. This is more than double the prior top amount of $114 million. Whistleblower awards are given to individuals who tip off the SEC in regard to infractions… Read More

May 4, 2023 @ 9:58 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee has announced a new hearing on the recent bank failures. The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Hearing will meet to discuss the “Oversight of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank: GAO’s Preliminary Review.” Both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank suffered… Read More

May 4, 2023 @ 12:15 pm By JD Alois  |  

The SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC) has announced new members following the completion of the majority of members four-year terms. The SBCFAC was created to provide the Commission with recommendations that support smaller firms, improve access to capital and mitigate onerous regulations… Read More

May 4, 2023 @ 11:52 am By JD Alois  |  

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) says the Biden Administration is falling short in its support of small businesses and entrepreneurs.  The group says Biden’s policies receive a failing grade from business owners. Meanwhile, a “self-generated report” by the Administration that gives itself… Read More

May 4, 2023 @ 9:36 am By JD Alois  |  

  The European Central Bank (ECB) has increased its benchmark rate by 25 basis points following a similar move by the US Federal Reserve. In a statement, the ECB said the inflation remains elevated, and the Governing Council concurs with its prior assessment of the… Read More

May 3, 2023 @ 7:22 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee has announced two new hearings of note – both scheduled for Wednesday, May 10th. First, the Committee will hold a hearing on the recent bank failures as bank carcasses continue to pile up. The Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary… Read More

May 3, 2023 @ 5:06 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Following the Investor and Marketplace Alert dated 12 April 2023 in relation to opnx.com (OPNX) conducting unregulated activity, Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has issued “a formal Letter of Reprimand to OPNX and its founders” for the following: Carrying out VA Exchange Services on… Read More

May 3, 2023 @ 3:24 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Federal Reserve announced a 25 bps increase in benchmark interest rates matching market expectations. While some held hopes for a pause this week, prognosticators are now looking forward to the next meeting in June. What did change in the Federal Open Market Committee… Read More

May 3, 2023 @ 10:19 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The B.C. Securities Commission recently alleged that a defunct cryptocurrency platform based in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island allegedly carried out a massive securities fraud by intentionally and illegally diverting customer funds to crypto gambling websites. In a notice issued in April 2023, the Commission said… Read More

May 3, 2023 @ 8:28 am By Omar Faridi  |  

On April 25th, 2023, the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, with assistance from the Virtual Currency Response Team (VCRT), the Cyber Police Department and Main Investigation Departments of the National Police of Ukraine, and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine, reportedly “conducted coordinated, court-authorized activity involving… Read More

May 2, 2023 @ 5:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

While the United States continues to pursue a rule-upon-regulation strategy that undermines public listings, increasing cost and compliance requirements, the UK is looking to improve the number of public firms by simplifying its listing rules. The policy objective has been discussed for years, and today… Read More