Politics, Legal & Regulation

April 30, 2021 @ 2:38 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Biden administration has just completed its first 100 days in office. Since January, the Administration has proffered a whirlwind of policy changes and legislation from massive spending in the trillions of dollars to profound changes in the tax system. Meanwhile, the economy has already… Read More

April 30, 2021 @ 7:38 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Central bank digital currencies or CBDCs might offer new types of businesses improved access to cost-effective reserve bank funding while potentially reducing the role of large banking institutions when it comes to settling big transactions, according to recent statements from a senior Bank of France… Read More

April 29, 2021 @ 3:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Leading digital investment platform Robinhood is facing numerous lawsuits from clients. The Fintech firm’s clients have been complaining about the lengthy delays when it comes to resolving their account issues. These problems have led to many users being unable to access their funds for months,… Read More

April 29, 2021 @ 10:48 am By JD Alois  |  

Following a Call for Input (CFI) that sought feedback on the promotion of consumer investments, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its proposal designed to safeguard retail investors.  The proposals in the Discussion Paper (DP) may impact new asset classes such as investment… Read More

April 29, 2021 @ 10:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Jeremy Hogan, Parnter at Hogan & Hogan, reveals that CryptoLaw has shared American Fintech Ripple’s response to the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) letter which is disputing (essentially) “parts of the Court Order” from earlier in April 2021 that are “related to internal communications.”… Read More

April 29, 2021 @ 9:53 am By JD Alois  |  

A mere week after being announced as the new Director of the Division of Enforcement, Alex Oh has resigned for personal reasons, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Reportedly, Oh resigned due to a complication from a case that occurred while in private… Read More

April 28, 2021 @ 11:00 am By Andrew L. Lee and Daniel Bernard  |  

The sudden prevalence of Non-Fungible Tokens has raised important legal considerations for issuers and purchasers alike. While intellectual property rights remain essential, securities laws should not be overlooked. Non-Fungible Tokens, or “NFTs”, are digital assets with unique identifying characteristics that distinguish one from another.  Unlike… Read More

April 27, 2021 @ 11:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Committee on Financial Services has announced the hearing schedule for the month of May. Included in the list is the third, and perhaps final, hearing on the GameStop-Robinhood-Reddit saga. On May 6 at 12PM ET, the full Committee will convene for a virtual… Read More

April 26, 2021 @ 7:22 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week, it was reported that Paxos had received preliminary approval for a national bank charter for Paxos National Trust. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) stated: “the preliminary conditional approval is granted after a thorough review of the application, other materials… Read More

April 26, 2021 @ 3:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

This coming Friday, April 30, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee will meet to discuss improving access to capital for underserved markets. According to a note posted by the SEC, following its August 2020 meeting, the Committee presented… Read More

April 26, 2021 @ 10:46 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Jurisdiction Taskforce of LawtechUK (UKJTL), chaired by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, has published its Digital Dispute Resolution Rules addressing legal disputes relating to digital technology such as crypto assets, smart contracts, and blockchain applications. The document was drafted following a… Read More

April 25, 2021 @ 11:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

London-based ComplyAdvantage, a company that offers real-time financial crime insight that “puts you in control,” notes that the European Union has introduced a strategy to deal with  organized and financial crime and the US recently imposed new sanctions on Russia. While sharing recent financial crime… Read More

April 25, 2021 @ 12:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto investors in Turkey have been dealing with major issues lately. Another major digital currency exchange has collapsed in the country and its CEO is being detained by authorities. Turkish crypto exchange Vebitcoin has suspended its operations and claims that it decided to do so… Read More

April 24, 2021 @ 1:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), an independent bureau within the US Department of the Treasury that serves to charter, regulate, and supervise all national banks and thrift institutions and the federally licensed branches and agencies of foreign banks in the United… Read More

April 24, 2021 @ 12:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Last week, the US sanctioned several groups and individuals because of their alleged association with “disinformation” campaigns that were reportedly coordinated by the Russian government. Blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis points out that a few of the sanctioned utilized virtual currency in their “criminal endeavors,” and… Read More

April 23, 2021 @ 4:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this year, Senator Pat Toomey, the ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, issued a call for policy proposals that could boost economic growth. Key policy moves designed to generate more jobs and improve prosperity are always needed – even more so on the… Read More

April 23, 2021 @ 10:08 am By JD Alois  |  

Back in October of 2020, the European Union launched a consultation on the possibility of creating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) or digital euro. The results of the consultation will help guide the European Central Bank’s decision as to whether, or not, to launch… Read More

April 22, 2021 @ 11:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Survey results shared by Duff & Phelps, A Kroll Business on Tuesday (April 21, 2021) revealed that 81% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with the idea that digital IDs may improve our ability to combat financial crime across the financial services sector. Duff… Read More

April 22, 2021 @ 7:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

Global Digital Finance (GDF), an organization that advocates on behalf of the digital asset industry, has distributed a letter sent to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) pertaining to guidelines regarding the regulation of virtual assets and virtual asset service providers or “VASPs.” FATF is… Read More

April 22, 2021 @ 2:17 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that Alex Oh has been appointed Director of the Division of Enforcement. The Division of Enforcement is the largest within the SEC. Until her appointment, Oh was a partner at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind,… Read More