Politics, Legal & Regulation

October 13, 2021 @ 12:47 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, has announced the creation of a capital raising navigator tool for firms seeking growth capital. A part of the SEC’s website, the tool covers the spectrum of options for entrepreneurs… Read More

October 12, 2021 @ 3:11 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Tinkoff Bank has been added to the Bank of Russia’s list of 13 systemically important lenders, the institution said this week. They said the decision was based on such factors as higher than average business growth and an extensive customer base. The move comes days… Read More

October 11, 2021 @ 10:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

On Wednesday, October 13, the House Committee on Financial Services, Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) will hold a hearing to discuss ethics and AI. According to the hearing memo, in financial services, AI systems often tackle complex problems including credit underwriting, customer service, cybersecurity… Read More

October 11, 2021 @ 9:30 am By JD Alois  |  

Copper, an “institutional gateway to digital asset investing,” has added former Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond to its board of advisors. Lord Hammond is one of only three people to have served continuously in the UK cabinet from 2010 to 2019, serving under Prime Ministers David Cameron… Read More

October 7, 2021 @ 7:51 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Department of Justice has announced a new National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET).  According to the DOJ, the NCET builds upon MLARS’s Digital Currency Initiative and will be informed by the Department’s Cryptocurrency Enforcement Framework, released in October 2020. The NCET will not only… Read More

October 6, 2021 @ 9:03 pm By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler testified in front of the House Committee on Financial Services sharing his perspective on the goals of the SEC and why it needs more money to fulfill its mission. As anticipated, much of the testimony swirled around digital assets and… Read More

October 6, 2021 @ 8:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The team at Coin Metrics, including researchers Nate Maddrey and Kyle Waters have released their State of the Network Q3 2021 wrap-up report. In the latest edition of the State of the Network report, the Coin Metrics team has taken a data-driven look at what… Read More

October 6, 2021 @ 10:51 am By JD Alois  |  

Stablecoins, typically described as digital assets pegged to another asset or basket of assets, are designed to replicate a fiat currency in a digital environment. Stablecoins are frequently utilized in the digital asset sector to seamlessly move between other crypto-assets and into an asset that… Read More

October 5, 2021 @ 8:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has leveled fraud charges against erstwhile hemp firm CannaFarma Hemp Products Corp, (CSE:CNFA) and its founders. According to the SEC, the company allegedly committed fraud in a securities offering that raised $15 million from investors. The SEC claims that… Read More

October 5, 2021 @ 7:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the California Banking Act into law. The legislation establishes the BankCal Program (BankCal) to provide Californians with zero-fee and zero-penalty transaction accounts and debit card services. HISTORIC! Today Governor @GavinNewsom signed #AB1177, the California Public Banking Option Act, which… Read More

October 5, 2021 @ 1:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

Recently, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler voiced his opinion that a Bitcoin ETF may provide sufficient investor protection for a fund to move forward with the regulatory process. More specifically, Gensler appeared to support Bitcoin Futures ETFs – and not spot-priced funds. Gensler has long stated… Read More

October 5, 2021 @ 10:00 am By JD Alois  |  

At 12 noon today, the House Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing with SEC Chairman Gary Gensler testifying on behalf of the Commission. The regulation of digital assets (crypto assets) will be a pointed topic of discussion as has been already indicated in… Read More

October 5, 2021 @ 9:20 am By JD Alois  |  

In prepared remarks distributed prior to the House Committee on Financial Services hearing later today, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler outlined his talking points as he asks the Committee for a significant budget increase while outlining his agenda for his term at the SEC. As should… Read More

October 4, 2021 @ 9:53 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Committee on Financial Services will be holding a virtual hearing tomorrow entitled “Oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Wall Street’s Cop Is Finally Back on the Beat.” SEC Chairman Gary Gensler will traipse back to the Capitol to update the Committee on… Read More

October 4, 2021 @ 3:15 pm By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Patrick McHenry and Congressman Tom Emmer have joined to introduce new micro-offering legislation. McHenry is the ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee. Both McHenry and Emmer have long been supportive of financial innovation and small businesses in general. The Small Entrepreneurs’ Empowerment… Read More

October 4, 2021 @ 3:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had released an advisory on the sanctions risks associated with carrying out ransomware payments and the “proactive” steps firms may take to address these types of risks. This… Read More

October 4, 2021 @ 9:37 am By JD Alois  |  

The US Federal Reserve is poised to publish a report on the possibility of a central bank digital currency or CBDC. The concept has been bandied about by central bankers for several years now as policymakers seek to assess the benefits, and potential pitfalls, of… Read More

October 3, 2021 @ 8:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital assets firm Binance is pleased to confirm that they’ve hired Tigran Gambaryan, a former special agent of the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Cyber Crimes Unit in Washington, D.C. Tigran joins Binance as Vice President of Global Intelligence and Investigations after working for around… Read More

October 3, 2021 @ 5:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

IHS Markit, a leader in critical information, reveals that it’s teaming up with digital assets firm Coinbase (COIN: NASDAQ), in order to offer tax reporting information and related infrastructure. Through this partnership, IHS Markit will be creating and providing Forms 1099-MISC for Coinbase clients, with… Read More

October 1, 2021 @ 6:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

Recently, loanDepot (NYSE:LDI) was hit with a lawsuit by a former executive that alleges fraudulent activity at the online mortgage lender. In a filing dated September 21, 2021, Tammy Richards alleged that loanDepot allowed an environment that enabled sexual harassment and gender discrimination.  Additionally, Richards… Read More