Politics, Legal & Regulation

March 10, 2022 @ 8:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

The German Crowdfunding Association (Bundesverband Crowdfunding) has issued a statement criticizing new funding guidelines for venture capital grants recently enacted by the German Government. Under the INVEST Grant for venture capital in Germany, smaller investors receive a 25% tax benefit following the sale of the… Read More

March 10, 2022 @ 11:39 am By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Tom Emmer, a supporter of blockchain technology and crypto in general, has tweeted out his thoughts on the Executive Order on Digital Assets. Published yesterday by the Biden White House, the Executive Order has been widely embraced by the crypto community as doing no… Read More

March 10, 2022 @ 10:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In order to support victims of the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, digital asset firm Kraken is preparing an aid package distributing more than $10 million “directly to affected clients.” Beginning on March 10, 2022, and running until July 1, 2022, Kraken customers who created… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 4:20 pm By JD Alois  |  

Bitcoin is rebounding today jumping by over 8% since the early hours of the morning. Industry followers believe that the White House’s Executive Order addressing digital assets has helped to fuel the rise of Bitcoin as well as other cryptocurrencies. Earlier this week it was… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 10:37 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier today, the White House posted an anticipated Executive Order on Digital Assets. Currently, the interpretation from industry insiders is cautiously optimistic that the Administration is aiming to balance responsible innovation with the obvious benefits of crypto. The Order was not excessively prescriptive but leaves… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 9:54 am By JD Alois  |  

Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen has issued a commend on the Executive Order published today that addresses the fast-growing digital asset industry. Secretary Yellen said that President Joe Biden’s order calls for a coordinated approach to digital asset policy: “This approach will support responsible innovation… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 7:58 am By JD Alois  |  

As was widely anticipated, the White House has posted an Executive Order targeting digital assets and cryptocurrencies. In a statement the White House explained their goal: “The rise in digital assets creates an opportunity to reinforce American leadership in the global financial system and at… Read More

March 8, 2022 @ 4:09 pm By JD Alois  |  

Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) has published a blog post on how it uses technology to adhere to sanctions compliance. The post follows the many economic sanctions that have been applied to Russia, and Belarus, following the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Coinbase notes that it has blocked over… Read More

March 8, 2022 @ 3:28 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has charged Dwayne Golden of Florida, Jatin Patel of India, Marquis Egerton of North Carolina, and Gregory Aggesen of New York with fraud for operating a Ponzi scam involving Bitcoin. According to the CFTC, the four individuals fraudulently solicited more… Read More

March 8, 2022 @ 3:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Banking institutions appear to be ignoring the problem of fraudulent activities allegedly being carried out via Zelle, a new report reveals, with large financial service providers that founded the service not really caring or concerned about issues with the digital payments platform. Zelle has quickly… Read More

March 8, 2022 @ 3:03 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced fraud charges against John and JonAtina (Tina) Barksdale – a brother and sister team that allegedly pursued two fraudulent digital token offerings that garnered $124 million from retail investors. In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney’s Office… Read More

March 8, 2022 @ 10:45 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, FinCEN, the enforcement branch of the US Department of Treasury, posted an Alert on “Increased Vigilance for Potential Russian Sanctions Evasion Attempts.” Russia, along with Belarus, have been targeted with economic sanctions designed to pressure these countries following the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. FinCEN… Read More

March 8, 2022 @ 9:14 am By JD Alois  |  

Multiple reports are claiming that the White House will issue an Executive Order on cryptocurrency at some point this week. The news follows days of concern from some policymakers that Russia and its elites may leverage crypto to evade the growing list of economic sanctions…. Read More

March 8, 2022 @ 8:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

European lender Mintos has posted its monthly publication that offers an overview of what’s been happening on the platform, “including recent investor activity, educational topics, and more.” Here are the main takeaways: Investors are now “able to donate to help the people in Ukraine and… Read More

March 8, 2022 @ 8:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Venture capitalists’ enthusiasm or eagerness to invest in Fintech platforms, which ranked as one of the most active industry segments for startup investments in 2021, is showing signs of slowing down. During the last few weeks, a total of 51 Fintech firms secured a total… Read More

March 7, 2022 @ 11:58 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Jurisdictions under increased monitoring are “actively working” with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to address “strategic deficiencies” in their regimes in order to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. When the FATF places a jurisdiction under increased monitoring, it “means the country… Read More

March 7, 2022 @ 4:16 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has posted its agenda for its upcoming meeting of the Investor Advisory Committee which will take place this week. The Committee has scheduled two-panel discussions: the first is about ethical artificial intelligence and “Robo-adviser” fiduciary responsibilities, and the second… Read More

March 7, 2022 @ 4:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a statement pertaining to EQONEX Limited and the Binance Group stating that Bifinity will advance a USD $36 million in a convertible loan to EQONEX. EQONEX is a firm based in Singapore that is listed on the NASDAQ… Read More

March 7, 2022 @ 3:11 pm By JD Alois  |  

In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions applied by the US government, the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) has moved to shore up its ability to apply sanctions by expediting the purchase of blockchain technology. According to a statement… Read More

March 7, 2022 @ 9:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Fang, CEO at digital asset firm Okcoin, notes that it has been a really “tough week” for a lot of us, “especially those who are in Ukraine (and Russia), or have families affected by this invasion and horrible unrest.” Fang writes in a blog… Read More