Politics, Legal & Regulation

August 30, 2021 @ 9:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

MX Exchange has reportedly received full approval from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) to serve as a Recognized Market Operator-Digital Asset Exchange (RMO-DAX) for the trading of virtual currencies in the Southeast Asian country. This makes MX Exchange only the fourth DAX to offer compliant… Read More

August 30, 2021 @ 4:56 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has obtained a judgment against a California man who allegedly posted false tweets to boost the price of a security that traded on OTC Markets. According to the SEC, Andrew L. Fassari used the Twitter name @OCMillionaire to promote shares… Read More

August 28, 2021 @ 11:51 am By Omar Faridi  |  

On Friday (August 27, 2021), the team at Sygnum banking platform celebrated their anniversary as a “regulated Swiss bank.” As mentioned in an update from Sygnum Bank: “Two years since we received our banking and securities dealer license, we now have significantly more than CHF… Read More

August 27, 2021 @ 4:20 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is requesting information and public comment on the use of digital engagement practices by broker-dealers and investment advisers. These tools include behavioral prompts, differential marketing, gamification, and other design elements or features designed to engage with retail investors on… Read More

August 26, 2021 @ 11:09 am By JD Alois  |  

Senator Patrick Toomey, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has issued a call for feedback regarding legislation that impacts cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Toomey has been supportive of financial innovation and more recently had attempted to mitigate the impact of the Infrastructure legislation that… Read More

August 26, 2021 @ 10:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier today, the UK Financial Conduct Authority posted the “First Supervisory Notice” related to a statement by the FCA in June that Binance Markets Limited is not permitted to undertake any regulated activity in the UK. Binance Markets is part of the Binance Group. Binance… Read More

August 25, 2021 @ 9:51 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today charged Manish Lachwani, the former CEO of HeadSpin, an app testing company, with defrauding investors out of $80 million by falsely claiming the company had achieved strong and consistent growth in acquiring customers and generating revenue. The SEC’s… Read More

August 25, 2021 @ 3:58 pm By JD Alois  |  

Barbara Roper, currently the Director of Investor Protection for the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), has joined the Securities and Exchange Commission as Senior Advisor to the Chair. In a public statement, the SEC said that Roper’s focus will be on issues relating to retail investor… Read More

August 24, 2021 @ 11:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

On Monday (August 23, 2021), the US Treasury Department and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) confirmed the finalization of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cybersecurity Cooperation. This announcement has been made during Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent trip to Singapore, where the… Read More

August 24, 2021 @ 9:15 am By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has created an infographic outlining how the agency regulates digital assets. The CFTC seeks to clarify “the fallacy of the question ‘Is it a commodity or a security’.” Posted by CFTC Commissioner Dawn D. Stump, the Commissioner says the… Read More

August 24, 2021 @ 8:38 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Newly-introduced SME bank, Recognise Bank, reveals that it has acquired £14 million in funding, which includes a recent investment from one of its existing shareholders. The capital injection means that Recognise Bank has now satisfied the financial requirements established by the PRA (Prudential Regulation Authority),… Read More

August 23, 2021 @ 11:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Virtual banks in Indonesia must have minimum paid-up capital of IDR 10 trillion (appr. $694 million). But the capital deposit needed when submitting an application is only IDR 3 trillion. Indonesia’s OJK (Financial Services Authority), the nation’s financial regulator, has shared an update to its… Read More

August 23, 2021 @ 2:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) is warning that the Biden Administrations’ tax plan would raise taxes on 2.1 million small businesses – in contrast to the Administrations’ claims. Last week, the White House issued a Fact Sheet on the plan claiming the… Read More

August 22, 2021 @ 10:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, recently confirmed  that it will no longer be accepting applications for new virtual banks including firms seeking to  convert their current status, starting from September 1, 2021. Virtual banking applications sent to the nation’s… Read More

August 20, 2021 @ 2:57 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

The Canadian government has released its report into open banking. Final Report: Advisory Committee on Open Banking is available here. The vision for a Canadian system should be governed by six outcomes: consumer data is protected; consumers are in control of their data; consumers receive… Read More

August 20, 2021 @ 12:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Compliance in financial services will be drastically improved by leveraging innovative technology-based assessments which draw on regulatory data from around 180 jurisdictions, as part of a collaboration between Big Four auditing firm PwC and Regtech CUBE. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Switzerland, PwC UK and London‘s CUBE will… Read More

August 19, 2021 @ 3:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

Commissioner Brian D. Quintenz, long a voice in support of responsible Fintech innovation at the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has issued a statement regarding his forthcoming exit from the regulator. Quintenz’s term expired in April of 2020 but said he would not seek another… Read More

August 19, 2021 @ 11:07 am By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Tom Emmer has reintroduced the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act along with Congressman Darren Soto. The legislation aims to address Financial Action Task Force (FATF) proposed guidance that could stifle blockchain innovation in the United States and elsewhere. FATF has advocated for stricter regulation of… Read More

August 18, 2021 @ 4:16 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has sent a “Dear CEO” letter to the management of the UK investment crowdfunding platforms. Signed by Debbie Gupta, Director of Consumer Investments Supervision, the missive cautions platforms on ensuring that investors fully understand the nature of the risk affiliated… Read More

August 18, 2021 @ 3:35 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed an emergency action and obtained a temporary restraining order, an asset freeze, and the appointment of a receiver to stop an alleged Ponzi scheme and misappropriation of investor proceeds perpetrated by Coral Springs, Florida resident Johanna M…. Read More