Politics, Legal & Regulation

October 31, 2020 @ 4:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Nick Catino, Head of Policy at TransferWise (Americas), recently commented on why he thinks the United States should allow payment firms to take part “directly in payment systems.” At present, access is limited to depository institutions, Catino explains. He notes that payment firms are unable… Read More

October 30, 2020 @ 10:37 am By JD Alois  |  

The Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN), an international Fintech regulatory initiative created by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, will be hosting a cross-border testing initiative that will include 23 different regulators from 5 different continents. In 2019, GFIN completed a cross-border testing pilot. GFIN is… Read More

October 28, 2020 @ 9:27 am By JD Alois  |  

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), the leading research institute covering the global Fintech sector, has partnered with the World Bank on a study reviewing the impact of COVID-19 on Fintech and regulation. As finance is one of the most regulated sectors of industry… Read More

October 27, 2020 @ 1:58 pm By JD Alois  |  

William (Bill) Hinman, Director of the Security and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance, plans to leave the SEC later this year, according to a notice posted by the agency. Hinman joined the SEC in 2017 and was soon engulfed in the initial coin offering… Read More

October 27, 2020 @ 12:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

    Recently, Kik settled a long legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In the end, Kik must pay a $5 million settlement pertaining to an initial coin offering (ICO) that was deemed to be an unregistered security offering. Additionally, for the… Read More

October 27, 2020 @ 8:35 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has scheduled an open meeting to “consider whether to adopt rule amendments to facilitate capital formation and increase opportunities for investors by expanding access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs across the United States.” The meeting… Read More

October 26, 2020 @ 12:19 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the US Federal Reserve Board has invited comment on a proposed rule that would amend the recordkeeping and travel rule regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act. The travel rule is affiliated with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF)… Read More

October 26, 2020 @ 9:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The data economy of the Internet has led to most interactions becoming a transaction, according to a report from InnoPay, a consultancy firm specializing in digital transactions. The report notes that “future relevance” for traditional banking institutions is “no longer based on payments alone.” The… Read More

October 26, 2020 @ 8:46 am By JD Alois  |  

  VAIOT has become the first digital asset to be regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) falling under the Maltese Virtual Financial Assets Act (VFAA), according to a note from the company. VAIOT seeks to enable both businesses and consumers to utilize a… Read More

October 25, 2020 @ 10:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Joe Robinson, Co-Founder and CEO at Hummingbird, a modern platform for anti-money laundering (AML) that makes investigations “agile and intelligent,” says that it took some time before traditional banks began to view Fintech firms as legitimate business partners that could help them with their digital… Read More

October 23, 2020 @ 5:59 pm By JD Alois  |  

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have published a joint letter pertaining to the treatment of bad actors and disqualification affiliated with Regulation D (Reg D) and Regulation A (Reg A+). Reg D 506c and Reg A+ are exemptions that… Read More

October 22, 2020 @ 3:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) requesting information related to consumer access to financial records. In brief, the CFPB is asking interested parties as to how it might most efficiently and effectively develop regulations to implement… Read More

October 21, 2020 @ 10:44 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors welcomed the efforts of the FATF to identify the money laundering and terrorist financing risks that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The G20 said that the COVID health crisis is being exploited by criminals… Read More

October 21, 2020 @ 9:51 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (DSIO) has issued an advisory to futures commission merchants (FCMs) regarding the holding of virtual currency in segregated accounts. The advisory, in the form of a Staff Letter, provides guidance to FCMs… Read More

October 21, 2020 @ 8:56 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this month, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a ban on the sale of crypto derivatives and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) that reference cryptoassets for retail investors. The ban is scheduled to go into effect on January 6, 2021. Many cryptoasset insiders have criticized… Read More

October 20, 2020 @ 9:16 pm By JD Alois  |  

The long saga of Kik Interactive’s battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission appears to finally be at an end. A document filed in US District Court today indicates that both sides have come to an agreement on a settlement with a $5 million penalty…. Read More

October 20, 2020 @ 8:29 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has targeted Larry Dean Harmon, of Akron, Ohio, the founder of Helix and Coin Ninja in a first enforcement action targeting a crypto mixer. In a release, FinCEN said Harmon and his operations were assessed a $60 million civil… Read More

October 19, 2020 @ 6:57 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a litigation release today alleging charges of microcap fraud that involved an attorney prominent in the US crowdfunding sector. According to the SEC complaint, Jillian Sidoti, affiliated with the law firm known as CrowdfundingLawyers.net, facilitated alleged fraudulent dumping… Read More

October 19, 2020 @ 6:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this month, the European Union approved new crowdfunding rules, including a €5 million funding cap, that will apply to all member states finally creating a pan-European approach to online capital formation. Currently, the securities crowdfunding market in Europe struggles under bespoke national rules that… Read More

October 19, 2020 @ 9:55 am By JD Alois  |  

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve, participated in a virtual panel today hosted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the topic of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDCs). Powell said the Fed is committed to considering a CBDC… Read More