Politics, Legal & Regulation

March 24, 2020 @ 2:25 pm By JD Alois  |  

The alleged fraudsters involved in the BitClub $722 million crypto fraud are looking to be released from the county jail over fears of the COVID-19 pandemic. In December of 2019, the US Justice Department announced the indictment of three individuals. Matthew Brent Goettsche, 37, of… Read More

March 24, 2020 @ 11:25 am By JD Alois  |  

This probably should come as no surprise. As the economy dives and the Coronavirus spreads across the US, elected officials in Washington, DC struggle to agree on a relief package. It has been reported that Republicans and Democrats had come to terms on a bailout… Read More

March 24, 2020 @ 9:40 am By Barry James  |  

It is we, the crowd, who will rebuild the economy after Covid-19. We need the means to do it. The last couple of weeks has revealed who it is that runs the real economy, beyond the glass towers that loom over everything else, imposing their… Read More

March 23, 2020 @ 2:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has not received the votes necessary in the U.S. Senate on the “motion to proceed.” This is not a vote on the final passage but would bring the process to a point where amendments could be… Read More

March 23, 2020 @ 10:18 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Certain Financial Services Workers Critical as Well The US Department of Homeland Security, a cabinet department of the US federal government tasked with maintaining public security (somewhat comparable to the interior ministries of other nations), has notably included “blockchain managers” in food and agriculture distribution… Read More

March 23, 2020 @ 8:48 am By JD Alois  |  

The US Federal Reserve has announced “extensive” measures to support the economy that has struggled as the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has devastated both small and large industries. The Fed said that while great uncertainty remains, it has become clear that our economy will face severe… Read More

March 22, 2020 @ 10:28 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has updated its response to COVID-19 and the related effects on the U.S. securities markets. The organization reported that its efforts are centered, first and foremost, on the health and safety of its employees as well as all… Read More

March 21, 2020 @ 5:38 pm By JD Alois  |  

Tezos, a blockchain company that raised $232 million in an initial coin offering (ICO) in 2017, may settle a class-action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court, Northern District of California. Tezos is one of the most successful ICOs ever recorded before the US… Read More

March 20, 2020 @ 1:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

The New Business Preservation Act. Senator Amy Klobuchar, fresh off the Presidential campaign trail, has introduced legislation to help boost entrepreneurship and SMEs during a time when the economy is being pummeled by the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Senators Chris Coons and Tim Kaine have co-sponsored… Read More

March 20, 2020 @ 9:49 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published new guidance for mortgage lenders and administrators and small business lenders. The guidance is in support of programs outlined by the Chancellor earlier this week. Under the plan, borrowers will be able to receive certain relief during… Read More

March 20, 2020 @ 7:40 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday (March 19), the Australian Government announced an investment of up to $15 billion to enable smaller lenders to continue supporting Australian consumers and small businesses due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a statement by The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Treasurer of Australia, he… Read More

March 19, 2020 @ 8:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

There are many outstanding or unanswered regulatory questions, after the recent guidelines provided by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. They require virtual asset fund managers to work with licensed custodians as they are tasked with controlling or managing assets both on-chain, and on… Read More

March 19, 2020 @ 7:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The government of Hawaii has introduced a new regulatory sandbox program for cryptocurrency-focused companies. The US state announced on March 17, 2020 that it has set up a “Digital Currency Innovation Lab,” which is reportedly a two-year program that allows cryptocurrency token issuers to conduct… Read More

March 19, 2020 @ 1:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is widely recognized as the leading securities regulator when it comes to fostering Fintech innovation. The FCA has engendered an innovation-friendly ecosystem due to multiple operational characteristics but one of them, the Regulatory Sandbox, has been emulated widely around… Read More

March 19, 2020 @ 9:34 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this week Alexey Guznov, Director of the Legal Department of the Bank of Russia, was interviewed by Interfax on a diverse range of topics. The discussion also included the regulatory approach to digital assets and pending legislation. Currently, there is draft legislation in the… Read More

March 18, 2020 @ 11:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has posted a page dedicated to the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, outlining actions the Commission has taken to mitigate the pandemic driven shock. The “dedicated website” highlights a slew of temporary relief letters the CFTC has published during this challenging… Read More

March 18, 2020 @ 1:01 pm By JD Alois  |  

Towards the end of 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed an update to the definition of an accredited investor. The rule change is part of a broader “concept release” that the SEC has issued to review the exempt offering ecosystem and how this… Read More

March 18, 2020 @ 7:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the nation’s central bank, has announced that it will be lowering the capital requirements for payment aggregators. This move may further increase the number of digital transactions carried out in the country. The RBI noted in a statement published… Read More

March 17, 2020 @ 4:07 pm By JD Alois  |  

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), the entity that lobbies on behalf of state and provincial regulators, is “urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) not to move forward with its proposal to expand access to high-risk private securities offerings to individual investors.” NASAA… Read More

March 16, 2020 @ 6:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Denis Georgiyevich Sotnikov and entities he controlled for allegedly participating in a scam to trap U.S. investors into buying fictitious Certificates of Deposit (CDs) via “spoofed” websites.  The SEC states that $26 million was stolen from investors…. Read More