Politics, Legal & Regulation

September 30, 2020 @ 8:21 am By JD Alois  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has told bankrupt Fintech Wirecard (WDI.DE) to halt payment services in Singapore and to return all customer funds by October 14, 2020. MAS states that it has been monitoring Wirecard’s bankruptcy proceedings and the ability of the company to provide… Read More

September 28, 2020 @ 10:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

A Discussion with Franck Guiader of Gide 255 Last week, the European Commission adopted a Digital Finance Package along with legislative proposals on cryptoassets (digital assets). The move had been widely telegraphed by the Commission and, in fact, a draft of the crypto regulation was leaked… Read More

September 28, 2020 @ 8:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Brian Armstrong, CEO at Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has noted that there have been many challenging events in the world this year, including the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest, west coast wildfires, and other really difficult situations. Armstrong wrote in a blog post that everyone… Read More

September 27, 2020 @ 4:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Indonesia’s regulatory authorities and local Fintech firms have been focused on creating a balance that will support innovative projects in the country, while maintaining regulatory guidelines that ensure consumer protection. Triyono, the head of Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK), stated on September 25, 2020, that… Read More

September 26, 2020 @ 6:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) recently noted that new legislation might require that it opens up its proprietary Apple Pay technology to various third-parties. The tech giant, which recently became the world’s first company to surpass the $2 trillion market cap mark, claims that allowing others to closely… Read More

September 26, 2020 @ 9:24 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Division of Trading and Markets, issued a no-action letter to FINRA yesterday afternoon that impacts certain trading platforms that serve as markets for digital assets that are securities. FINRA is a self-regulatory entity that coordinates with the SEC regarding… Read More

September 25, 2020 @ 3:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a new report, titled “Technology Vision for Cybersecurity for Urban Co-operative Banks – 2020-2023.” The RBI notes that the document makes recommendations or suggestions on how to improve the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure of its urban co-operative banking… Read More

September 25, 2020 @ 3:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

Wyoming is one of several US states that does not assess a state income tax. In the past few years, there has been an exodus of both individuals and companies to these business-friendly states as people vote with their feet. Wyoming is also one of… Read More

September 25, 2020 @ 11:51 am By JD Alois  |  

Representative K. Michael Conaway, ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee Ranking has introduced legislation entitled the Digital Commodity Exchange Act of 2020. The bill seeks to create a “single, opt-in national regulatory framework for digital commodity trading platforms” that will be regulated by the… Read More

September 25, 2020 @ 11:08 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Gabriel J. Shapiro, a US attorney focused on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture, governance, Infosec, and digital assets, has noted that if you really care about cryptocurrency-related laws and proper governance, then you should know that the most “important” or relevant content out there right… Read More

September 24, 2020 @ 11:04 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a statement today, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced an extension of Coronavirus programs that support impacted businesses. The Chancellor announced that the Bounce Back Loan scheme will offer greater repayment flexibility for firms including an extension of the length of… Read More

September 24, 2020 @ 11:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Asosiasi Fintech Pendanaan Bersama Indonesia (AFPI), which is an association of 156 Fintech lenders, is reportedly planning to work cooperatively with the Indonesian government to distribute funds that are meant to offset the economic problems and challenges created due to COVID-19. As of September 2020,… Read More

September 24, 2020 @ 4:38 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this week, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) – the leading national bank regulator, provided guidance on banks and stablecoins. The guidance was designed to provide “greater regulatory certainty for banks” operating in this sector. Stablecoins are digital assets typically tied… Read More

September 24, 2020 @ 11:16 am By JD Alois  |  

The European Commission has announced the adoption of a Digital Finance Package along with legislative proposals on crypto-assets (digital assets).  The announcement has been widely anticipated and earlier this month draft legislation pertaining to crypto-assets was leaked to the public. According to a statement by… Read More

September 23, 2020 @ 11:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently published a document for regulatory authorities and enforcement agencies. The FATF listed several different “red flags” in cryptocurrency transfers and service user profiles that may indicate that the entities involved in the transactions are engaging in money laundering,… Read More

September 23, 2020 @ 10:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Israel Competition Authority, which is tasked with maintaining and promoting competition in the nation’s economy, has released a report in which it notes that traditional banks think Fintech firms are their rivals and are attempting to block or prevent their entry into the Israeli… Read More

September 23, 2020 @ 8:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Around two-thirds or 67% of in-house attorneys at fast-growth firms said they were spending too much time doing “low-value” work, according to the results of a survey shared by Artificial Lawyer. Another survey, cited by JD Supra, of 1,057 legal professionals reveals that a third… Read More

September 22, 2020 @ 2:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

  Lagarde, the President of the European Central Bank, addressed the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly yesterday (Sept. 21) talking about the strength of the “European Project” while casting an eye on the future of further integration as well as the ongoing effort to achieve a Digital… Read More

September 21, 2020 @ 4:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), part of the US Department of Treasury, has issued an interpretive letter pertaining to banks and federal savings entities pertaining to “certain stablecoins.” Stablecoins are digital currencies that are based on a fiat currency or specific… Read More

September 21, 2020 @ 11:28 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Chainalysis, the leading blockchain analysis firm, has teamed up with the State of Wyoming’s Division of Banking, the banking regulator that’s tasked with the chartering and supervision of Wyoming state banks, trust companies, mortgage firms, money transmitters and other non-bank financial service providers. The State… Read More