Politics, Legal & Regulation

January 18, 2023 @ 11:24 am By JD Alois  |  

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and former CEO of FTX who is now under indictment for allegations of fraud, has returned to his substack, declaring that FTX US was and is solvent. Bankman-Fried previously provided an FTX “post-mortem” following his release on bail. He disputes a… Read More

January 17, 2023 @ 5:25 pm By JD Alois  |  

Unikrn, a token issuer that attempted to remain compliant while issuing digital assets but ended up being the target of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement action, settled with the Commission in 2020. As was reported at that time, Unikrn was assessed a $6.1 million… Read More

January 16, 2023 @ 7:22 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), Cambridge SupTech Lab, has published a report on the emerging arena of supervisory technology (Suptech) that aims to improve the regulation of financial services firms.  While some view Regtech and Suptech as two sides of the same coin,… Read More

January 16, 2023 @ 10:47 am By JD Alois  |  

This past weekend, Zilch, a buy now pay later (BNPL) provider, was a target of a story entitled Buy now pay later to impact credit scores of millions. The article in the Sunday Telegraph stated that changes at Zilch would see data shared with agencies which… Read More

January 14, 2023 @ 9:40 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published its peer review on authorization of payment institutions and e-money institutions under the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2). The review generally found “increased transparency and consistency of the information required in the authorization process.” However, it also “identified significant… Read More

January 13, 2023 @ 4:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

It has not been that long since Nexo decided to exit the US market, but in recent days the offices of Nexo have been raided in Bulgaria according to multiple reports. While based in London, Nexo is affiliated with a former member of the Bulgarian… Read More

January 12, 2023 @ 6:03 pm By JD Alois  |  

The ongoing virtual fisticuffs between Gemini and Genesis – a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group (DCG), just took a dramatic twist as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against both Gemini and Genesis pertaining to the Gemini Earn program and the sale… Read More

January 12, 2023 @ 4:46 pm By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Patrick McHenry, the new  Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, has named the Chairs of the Subcommittees. Yesterday, McHenry revealed the Republican members of the Committee as he moves to take over the influential Committee as the Republican-controlled 118th Congress commences. A new… Read More

January 12, 2023 @ 8:47 am By JD Alois  |  

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder and former CEO of FTX – once one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world and now in the midst of bankruptcy, has taken to Substack to pleed his case. Bankman-Fried, now effectively under house arrest, claims that if he had… Read More

January 11, 2023 @ 9:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has proposed a rule to establish a public registry of nonbank financial firms’ terms and conditions. The CFPB states that, in some cases, consumer rights are limited or waived, or terms are misleading. The CFPB states that non-banks would… Read More

January 11, 2023 @ 3:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Patrick McHenry, the incoming Chair of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, has announced the Republican members of the Committee for the 118th Congress. McHenry issued the following statement on the Committee members: “I’m proud to welcome all of our new and returning members… Read More

January 11, 2023 @ 11:49 am By JD Alois  |  

A filing submitted yesterday to the bankruptcy court handling FTX has questioned the involvement of Sullivan & Cromwell as the bankruptcy counsel. The document claims that: “Sullivan & Cromwell is not only an inappropriate candidate for appointment as the FTX Group’s bankruptcy counsel—it is a… Read More

January 11, 2023 @ 10:57 am By JD Alois  |  

The sale of Voyager Digital has received preliminary approval by the courts thus clearing the way for Binance.US to acquire the assets of the bankrupt firm. Revealed last month, Binance.US announced the agreement for it to acquire Voyagers assets for approximately $1 billion. Binance.US’ bid… Read More

January 10, 2023 @ 8:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Another enforcement shoe has dropped against a major crypto exchange with the announcement of a lawsuit by New York’s Attorney General against Celsius Network CEO/co-founder Alex Mashinsky. AG Letitia James accuses Mashinsky of “defrauding thousands of investors out of billions of dollars in digital funds,… Read More

January 10, 2023 @ 5:57 pm By JD Alois  |  

Cameron Winklevoss, co-founder of the Gemini, has taken to Twitter once again to take Digital Currency Group (DCG) to task in regards to their relationship with DCG subsidiary Genesis. Last week, Winklevoss posted a letter on Twitter criticizing founder Barry Silbert and his DCG, hammering… Read More

January 10, 2023 @ 12:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has selected Cristina Martin Firvida as its new Director of the Office of the Investor Advocate. Martin Firvida will take over the office effective Jan. 17, 2023. Martin Firvida was most recently the Vice President of Financial Security and… Read More

January 9, 2023 @ 10:19 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed a civil lawsuit against Avraham Eisenberg, alleging a fraudulent scam to obtain over $110 million in digital assets from a decentralized digital asset exchange. The enforcement action has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the… Read More

January 9, 2023 @ 4:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Federal bank regulatory agencies released a joint statement on crypto-asset risks to banking organizations, which is “a move that has been long anticipated by the community.” Upon this news, Fireblocks’ Chief Legal & Compliance Officer Jason Allegrante feels confident that 2023 will “see an… Read More

January 9, 2023 @ 4:34 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) in France has published its priorities for 2023. AMF Chair Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani included working to enhance retail investor protection, pursuing sustainable finance as well as financial innovation during the next 12 months. “The AMF is the regulator of Europe’s… Read More

January 9, 2023 @ 2:53 pm By JD Alois  |  

Philip Moustakis, has been made a Partner at the global law firm of Seward & Kissel. Moustakis was previously counsel practicing in the firm’s Government Enforcement & Internal Investigations Group and Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Group. He joined the firm in 2019 and is a regular… Read More