Politics, Legal & Regulation

February 6, 2023 @ 10:33 am By JD Alois  |  

The House Subcommittee on Capital Markets, part of the House Financial Services Committee, has hit the ground running in the new Congress. As was reported earlier, the Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on access to capital and entrepreneurship. On the same day, the Subcommittee will… Read More

February 6, 2023 @ 9:55 am By Omar Faridi  |  

FTX Trading Ltd. (d.b.a. FTX.com), and its affiliated debtors (together, the “FTX Debtors”), announced the FTX Debtors are “sending confidential messages to political figures, political action funds, and other recipients of contributions or other payments that were made by or at the direction of the… Read More

February 6, 2023 @ 9:14 am By JD Alois  |  

This coming Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, part of the House Financial Services Committee, will address access to capital as it looks to approve legislation aiming to improve funding for early-stage firms. The hearing is entitled “Empowering Entrepreneurs: Removing Barriers to… Read More

February 6, 2023 @ 8:47 am By JD Alois  |  

CI recently published an update on Reg CF [Regulation Crowdfunding], an exemption that allows a business to raise up to $5 million in an online securities offering. Investors may be non-accredited or accredited. While the legislation creating Reg CF was signed into law in 2012,… Read More

February 6, 2023 @ 8:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The UK government has released proposals for regulation of the cryptocurrency industry in hopes of “stabilizing the market while diminishing the incentives for users to flock to offshore jurisdictions.” Perhaps one of the benefits of the post-FTX landscape is that regulators are now “urged to… Read More

February 5, 2023 @ 1:50 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued the consultation conclusion to the discussion paper on crypto-assets and stablecoins (the “Consultation Conclusion”), summarizing the feedback “received in relation to the paper and the HKMA’s response.” In the Consultation Conclusion, the HKMA proposes “to bring certain activities… Read More

February 3, 2023 @ 7:23 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In an effort to lead the industry in “trust” and “transparency” on their mission to accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrency, Kraken is pleased to release its 2022 Transparency Report. The 2022 Transparency Report “provides a summary of how they protect their clients’ privacy and financial… Read More

February 3, 2023 @ 5:07 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed fraud charges against a US-based LLC – Windsor Jones and its principal based in the UK, Anthony Collins. According to the SEC, the firm and Collins pursued a fraud involving purported fine wine investments raising at least $4… Read More

February 3, 2023 @ 3:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee, under the leadership of Chair Patrick McHenry, has announced a new working group to address environmental, social, and governance proposals (ESG). Currently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is pursuing ESG rules, more specifically in regards to climate impact disclosure…. Read More

February 3, 2023 @ 3:11 pm By JD Alois  |  

Renee Jones, SEC Director of Corporation Finance, has issued a statement on her final day at the Commission. Jones thanked SEC Chair Gary Gensler, along with all of the Commissioners as well as several former ones, along with her leadership team. Jones stated: “It has been… Read More

February 3, 2023 @ 12:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

DealMaker, a tech-enabled capital raising platform, has sued Issuance – another firm engaged in raising capital for private firms, in the US District Court, Central District of California. DealMaker is based in Canada but has several offices in the US. According to the complaint, Issuance… Read More

February 2, 2023 @ 9:25 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 7 to 2 to increase its benchmark rate by 50 basis points to 4.0%. The bank said that two members preferred to hold rates steady for now. The issues remain the same; stubborn inflation and geopolitical… Read More

February 2, 2023 @ 4:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) raised its benchmark rate by 50 basis points today, as was broadly expected. In explaining its decision, the ECB said that the underlying inflation pressures will necessitate another 50 basis points at its next monetary policy meeting in March After… Read More

February 2, 2023 @ 12:53 pm By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, the UK government announced that it would assist the crypto industry by providing robust regulation of the emerging innovation. As industry insiders acutely understand, without clearly defined rules, risk increases, generating hesitancy and undermining acceptance of the technology. While policymakers in the US have… Read More

February 1, 2023 @ 9:59 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee has announced its first round of hearings under the leadership of Chairman Patrick McHenry. First on the list is a full Committee hearing on the economic threat of China. Other hearings include the Subcommittee on Capital Markets scheduling a session on… Read More

February 1, 2023 @ 6:24 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry, issued a statement today as he led its Organizational Meeting for the 118th Congress. McHenry said that under his leadership, the Committee is ready to boost innovation as well as pursue policy that fosters economic… Read More

February 1, 2023 @ 5:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

As was widely anticipated, today, the US Federal Reserve announced a 25 basis point increase to its benchmark rate as it continues to battle nagging inflation that has imperiled the economy. The vote by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) was unanimous in its decision…. Read More

February 1, 2023 @ 9:52 am By JD Alois  |  

The credit card business is a good one as this type of credit typically charges outlandish rates as well as silly fees. Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is specifically targeting late fees charged to consumers as it proposes a reul that aims to… Read More

February 1, 2023 @ 9:16 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK government has announced its intent to “robustly regulate crypto-asset activities.” In recent years, the UK has expressed its intent to become a crypto hub – supporting innovation while crafting a regime that provides sufficient consumer protections and transparency. The goal is to deliver… Read More

January 31, 2023 @ 6:03 pm By JD Alois  |  

“The business model Celsius advertised and sold to its customers was not the business that Celsius actually operated.” – Court Document, Filed January 31, 2023 Celsius, one of the first big crypto firms to fail and file for bankruptcy protection, continues to meander its way… Read More