Politics, Legal & Regulation

February 9, 2026 @ 11:17 am By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Technology Association (FTA) and the American Fintech Council (AFC) have submitted an Amicus Brief in Vickery v. Empower Finance, Inc. and Moss v. Cleo AI, Inc., case requesting that Earned Wage Access (EWA) be distinguished from loans. The groups submitted a brief to the Ninth Circuit… Read More

February 9, 2026 @ 9:06 am By Omar Faridi  |  

France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) has issued a timely reminder to digital asset service providers (DASPs) about the impending end of a key transitional arrangement under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation. This update, released on February 5, 2026, emphasizes the need for prompt… Read More

February 8, 2026 @ 2:30 pm By Nick Morgan  |  

In the latest Capital Ideas episode, hosts Nick Morgan, Dara Albright, and Mark Hiraide of the Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN) sat down with Cliff Winston, a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, to discuss his recent book, Market Corrections, Not Government Interventions: A… Read More

February 6, 2026 @ 11:19 am By JD Alois  |  

  The European Union is falling behind in the adoption of blockchain technology, most pressingly tokenization or digital securities. Everyone acknowledges that digital securities are the future. A growing number of innovators and established financial services are utilizing or reviewing tokenized securities. Last month, the… Read More

February 5, 2026 @ 9:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Recent documents unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice in February 2026 have brought to light a seemingly concerning detail from the early days of the cryptocurrency industry: Jeffrey Epstein‘s $3 million investment in Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) during its 2014 Series C funding round. This infusion… Read More

February 5, 2026 @ 3:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Prediction markets, where participants wager on the outcomes of real-world events ranging from elections to sports, have surged in popularity as a innovative segment of the web3 ecosystem. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket allow users to buy and sell contracts tied to these events, effectively… Read More

February 5, 2026 @ 3:08 pm By JD Alois  |  

A class action lawsuit has been filed against prediction marketplace Polymarket, claiming illegal gambling. The suit was filed in the Southern District of New York, claiming that Polymarket is an unlicensed sports betting firm. The case has been filed with Lorenzo Miro of San Diego… Read More

February 5, 2026 @ 2:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a new alert issued on February 2, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James has highlighted the dangers associated with unregulated prediction markets, particularly as excitement builds for major sporting events like the Super Bowl. These online platforms allow users to wager on the… Read More

February 5, 2026 @ 10:37 am By JD Alois  |  

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent gave a shout-out to the alternative inflation-measurement firm Truflation during a Hearing of the Senate Banking Committee. Truflation is an independent entity that provides an alternative perspective on economic data points. The US government, and importantly, the US Federal… Read More

February 5, 2026 @ 9:08 am By JD Alois  |  

The SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC) will gather on February 24, 2026, to discuss two important items related to private markets. One reason the US has the world’s most robust innovation ecosystems is the success of private markets, where early-stage firms can… Read More

February 5, 2026 @ 8:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As we step into February 2026, the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency market is once again proving that its infamous 4-year cycle—characterized by euphoric bull runs followed by sharp corrections—hasn’t vanished despite years of proclamations about industry maturation (as well as steady influx of institutional capital). Under… Read More

February 4, 2026 @ 7:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In yet another blow to the prestige of Forbes’ annual list of promising young talents, a 26-year-old fintech innovator has been charged with orchestrating a sophisticated fraud that bilked investors out of millions. Gokce Guven, the CEO of Klader Inc., faces federal indictment for allegedly… Read More

February 4, 2026 @ 4:08 pm By JD Alois  |  

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has taken the country in a decidedly authoritarian direction, seeking to rein in free speech while claiming to combat disinformation and illegal content. Sánchez is the leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, who did not win an outright majority… Read More

February 4, 2026 @ 2:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move to bolster investor protection, France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) has unveiled the results of a dedicated working group examining ways to improve the transparency and accessibility of structured products aimed at everyday investors. Released on February 3, 2026, this initiative underscores… Read More

February 4, 2026 @ 6:31 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockchain analysis tools are proving instrumental in tackling illicit activities. Recent developments shared by TRM Labs highlight how authorities are leveraging these technologies to dismantle networks involved in exploitation and to impose sanctions on entities linked to global threats. TRM Labs also indicated that this… Read More

February 4, 2026 @ 12:15 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ripple has officially obtained full authorization for its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). This development comes after an initial provisional nod last month, with Ripple reportedly meeting all stipulated requirements. As a result,… Read More

February 3, 2026 @ 10:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Brazil has introduced a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at overhauling the rules governing its foreign exchange market and international capital flows. Signed into law by the president on December 29, 2021, and officially enacted as Law No. 14,286, this reform seeks to update and… Read More

February 3, 2026 @ 12:32 pm By JD Alois  |  

While crypto insiders participating in the White House Crypto Meeting this week struck a notably positive tone following the gathering, the banking sector has been less sanguine on the discussion. As was reported yesterday, the American Bankers Association (ABA) has dug in on no interest… Read More

February 3, 2026 @ 11:06 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Payments Canada has named Lisa Ford as its new Chief Legal and Policy Officer (CLPO). The appointment, set to take effect on February 17, 2026, underscores the organization’s push toward enhanced governance and adaptability in an increasingly dynamic financial sector. This leadership shift aims to… Read More

February 3, 2026 @ 11:05 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has rolled out a fresh General Code of Conduct tailored specifically for decision-makers in the industry. Released recently during the past month, this initiative seeks to elevate standards of governance, cultivate a positive organizational culture, and promote ethical behavior… Read More