Politics, Legal & Regulation

June 8, 2021 @ 11:00 am By JD Alois  |  

While the tactics may change, the goal of fraudsters in financial services remains the same: Separating hard-working individuals and corporations from their money. The emergence of the internet, and digital financial services, has created a new vector in the fight with criminals and those that… Read More

June 8, 2021 @ 8:53 am By JD Alois  |  

The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack caused incredible disruptions to the US economy costing businesses and consumers millions of dollars in lost productivity. As the price of gas rose, and people queued up at stations waiting on the dwindling supply due to the malfeasance, the perpetrators,… Read More

June 6, 2021 @ 8:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

El Salvador is reportedly looking to become the first nation in the world to adopt Bitcoin (BTC) as legal tender. El Salvador’s government might introduce legislation that could potentially make it the first country to adopt BTC as legal tender, along with the US dollar…. Read More

June 5, 2021 @ 11:41 am By JD Alois  |  

The G7 Finance Ministers, along with several international organizations, met the past couple of days in the UK to discuss “building a strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive global economic recovery.” Intermingled amongst the goal of creating a global minimum tax of 15% targeting big tech… Read More

June 4, 2021 @ 5:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week, an official announcement was issued by Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kyrsten Sinema regarding the launch of the US Senate Financial Innovation Caucus. Senators John Hickenlooper, Tim Scott, Marsha Blackburn, Mike Braun, and Bill Cassidy, also joined the Caucus in a show of bipartisan… Read More

June 3, 2021 @ 7:45 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Committee on Financial Services has announced its agenda for the month of June. While always subject to change, several hearings should be of note to the Fintech community. First, the Task Force on Fintech (Financial Technology) has scheduled a hearing entitled, “Digitizing the… Read More

June 3, 2021 @ 7:29 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a press briefing today, a senior Biden administration official speaking on background discussed initiatives regarding the ongoing fight against corruption. The administration is “formally establishing the fight against corruption as a core national security interest of the United States” while seeking to “bring additional… Read More

June 3, 2021 @ 1:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last month it was widely reported that Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, was under investigation by US authorities. Both the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) were said to be scrutinizing the activity of the digital marketplace…. Read More

June 2, 2021 @ 12:36 am By Omar Faridi  |  

TrueAccord, a Fintech that aims to transform debt collection into “a pathway toward financial health,” recently revealed that Ohad Samet, CEO and Co-founder of TrueAccord Group, has been named to the inaugural debt collection advisory committee of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation… Read More

May 31, 2021 @ 11:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) has published a paper that reveals the key findings and conclusions reached after a consultation on a proposed licensing requirement for digital asset trading platforms. Hong Kong‘s government has reportedly proposed certain regulatory changes in order… Read More

May 31, 2021 @ 10:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Major banking institutions in the UK like Barclays have decided to block or prevent their clients from transferring money to virtual currency exchanges. Digital banking Fintechs such as Monzo and Starling Bank have also been cracking down on crypto-related entities and transactions they may be… Read More

May 29, 2021 @ 2:52 pm By Martin Cheek  |  

In an effort to mitigate the effects of Covid-related shutdowns, the US government poured trillions of dollars into relief programs, offering loans to businesses in need and sending checks to people whose income qualified them for aid. However, without adequate controls in place, there was… Read More

May 28, 2021 @ 7:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

Digital asset exchange BitConnect is the most recent crypto marketplace to gain the scrutiny of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement. In a public statement, the SEC announced an enforcement action against five individuals alleging the promotion of a global unregistered digital asset… Read More

May 27, 2021 @ 9:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis has published a report, titled The Crypto Maturity Model: How Traditional Finance Can Adopt Cryptocurrency in Stages. Chainalysis notes that during the past year, cryptocurrency has become a “more mainstream” asset class, with an inflow of institutional money driving Bitcoin (BTC)… Read More

May 27, 2021 @ 12:06 pm By JD Alois  |  

This past February, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) announced a consultation on technical standards for the Europea Crowdfunding Service Providers Regulation (ECSPR). The move was part of the European Union’s announced harmonization of investment crowdfunding rules. For years, industry insiders and advocacy groups,… Read More

May 27, 2021 @ 9:39 am By JD Alois  |  

European securities regulator, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), has issued a “call for evidence” on digital finance. According to a statement posted by the ESMA, they are seeking information on “value chains,” platforms, and financial/non-financial services. The initiative is part the EU’s goal… Read More

May 26, 2021 @ 10:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Mojaloop Foundation revealed on Wednesday (May 26, 2021) that MAS will be joining the Mojaloop Foundation as a Sponsor-level member in order to collaborate on offering the underserved access to “affordable” financial services via digital currency based settlement… Read More

May 26, 2021 @ 4:13 pm By JD Alois  |  

Gary Gensler, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), testified today in front of the House Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, part of the Appropriations Committee, where he presented the litany of challenges his agency faces including emerging Fintech issues. The… Read More

May 26, 2021 @ 10:38 am By JD Alois  |  

Randal Quarles, Vice Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, testified in front of the Senate Banking Committee this week as part of the Semiannual Testimony on the Federal Reserve’s Supervision and Regulation of the Financial System. While much of the discussion swirled around the economy… Read More

May 25, 2021 @ 9:52 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), which supports the ongoing growth and development of Stellar (XLM), a leading blockchain platform, has noted that on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 “at 1500 UTC,” Stellar (transaction) validators will be voting on whether to upgrade the network to Protocol 17. The… Read More