Politics, Legal & Regulation

Policy and regulations impacting innovations in Finance.

SEC Closes Chapter on Gemini Earn Dispute with Permanent Dismissal Following Complete User Repayments

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has agreed to permanently drop its legal action against Gemini Trust Company (NASDAQ:GEMI) regarding the Gemini Earn program. This resolution comes after all affected investors received full restitution of their assets, marking the conclusion of a protracted regulatory… Read More

Former Olympian Ryan Wedding Arrested in Criminal Case Tied to Crypto Laundering : Analysis

TRM Labs pointed out that in a dramatic turn of events, Ryan Wedding, once a celebrated Canadian snowboarder who represented his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, has been apprehended by the FBI in Mexico City. TRM Labs also mentioned that… Read More

UK Finance Examines Updates to Transaction Monitoring Requirements, New Financial Protections for Mortgage Applicants

The UK financial sector is undergoing significant transformations aimed at enhancing efficiency, protecting vulnerable consumers, and addressing historical grievances. UK Finance pointed out that key regulatory bodies like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are driving these changes through updated policies and industry collaborations. UK Finance… Read More

Former Alameda and FTX Executive Caroline Ellison Released from Prison After Serving 14 Months

In a development that underscores the varying consequences faced by key figures in one of the crypto sector’s most significant fraud cases, Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, was released from federal custody on January 22, 2026. Ellison, who had been serving a… Read More

European Central Bank (ECB) Highlights Evolving Risks in Euro Area’s Economic Landscape

The European Central Bank (ECB) released several key documents highlighting evolving risks to the euro area’s economic landscape and tools for monitoring monetary expectations. These updates from the ECB underscore growing concerns over global fragmentation while also providing key insights into policy transmission and analyst… Read More

Singapore Launches Governance Framework for Agentic AI at Davos

Singapore launched a new governance framework aimed at guiding the safe and responsible deployment of agentic artificial intelligence, as governments and businesses grapple with the growing autonomy of AI systems. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo announced the Model AI Governance Framework (MGF)… Read More

CFTC Set to Enter Progressive Phase in US Financial Markets Under Trump Administration : Analysis

In the wake of President Donald Trump‘s return to office, the US financial landscape is poised for significant transformation, particularly through changes at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Recent developments signal a shift toward deregulation and innovation, with experts heralding the potential for a… Read More

SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee Meets to Discuss Secondary Transactions, Finders

The Securities and Exchange Commission, Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC) has scheduled its next meeting to discuss two key topics: Finders and secondary trading in private securities. Finders has been a long-time issue regarding private securities, specifically early-stage, and the SEC has discussed… Read More

Cato Questions President Trump’s Lawsuit Targeting JP Morgan for Debanking

Mr. Potter Banker Banking (1)

Debanking during the Biden Administration was a nefarious policy, if not criminal. Targeting individuals and entities for their political affiliations or disfavored businesses is obviously wrong. Some of the firms targeted were engaged in the digital asset sector,  a segment of Fintech the Biden adminstration… Read More

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Highlights Bitcoin’s Decentralization at Davos Amid Ongoing Misconceptions

The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, has once again become a focal point for discussions on the future of finance, with digital assets taking center stage in 2026. Amid panels exploring stablecoins, blockchain integration, and regulatory frameworks, Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong delivered… Read More

Brazil’s Central Bank Orders Liquidation of Fintech Firm Despite Mubadala’s Acquisition Attempt

Brazil’s central bank has ordered the extrajudicial liquidation of Will Financeira SA Crédito, Financiamento e Investimento, commonly known as Will Bank, a digital banking fintech previously under the control of the now-defunct Banco Master SA. This move marks a significant escalation in the repercussions stemming… Read More

Senate Agriculture Committee Releases Its Version of Crypto Market Infrastructure Legislation

The Senate Agriculture Committee is still on track to hold a markup hearing next week. Following last week’s pause on the Senate Banking Committee hearing on crypto market infrastructure legislation, insiders hope this newest version may reanimate prospects for a bill’s approval in the Senate…. Read More

NASAA Wants to Stop Non Exchange Secondary Trading Under Reg A

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), the lobbying group that represents state securities regulators, has issued a statement opposing the Restoring the Secondary Trading Market Act. This legislation, which is in markup today (January 22, 2026), aims to preempt state regulation of off-exchange secondary… Read More

Here is the List of Bills Being Reviewed in House Financial Services Committee Markup Hearing

Today (January 22, 2026), the House Financial Services Committee is holding a markup hearing to address a litany of issues that impact the financial services sector, including online capital formation. While the path to possible approval is long, the Republican-dominated House has a good shot… Read More

Crowdfunding: The ACCESS Act Targets Lower Compliance Costs for Small Reg CF Raises

A bipartisan pair of US senators introduced legislation that would ease a key compliance cost for early-stage companies raising money online, lifting the point at which small businesses must pay for an independent accountant review when using securities crowdfunding. Similar legislation in the House has… Read More

The Longer the CLARITY Act is delayed, the Longer Uncertainty Prevails

The CLARITY Act, crypto market infrastructure legislation, imploded last week after Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN)  announced it could not support the bill in its current form. Other insiders chimed in, and Senate Banking Committee leadership decided to hit the pause button, regroup, and try to modify the language to be more… Read More

Governor of Florida Criticizes EU Ambition to Issue a CBDC or Digital Euro

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the most popular and successful governor in the US and a potential Presidential candidate, posted on X today, criticizing central banker François Villeroy de Galhau, who was speaking at the WEF in Davos about central bank digital currency (CBDC) and a digital Euro…. Read More

Micro Exemption Bill, the SEED Act, Move to Markup in House Financial Services Committee

The Small Entrepreneurs Empowerment and Development Act of 2025, or SEED Act (HR 4171), heads to a markup hearing this week at the House  Financial Services Committee. The SEED Act aims to create a micro-exemption that allows firms to raise up to $250,000 over a… Read More

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins: Israel has punched far above its weight in ways that defy easy explanation”

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins recently addressed the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, lauding the country’s unique innovation ecosystem. Israel has the nickname “Innovation Nation” due to the number of early-stage, venture-backed firms and the technology and products that become commercialized. Small in size in land mass, resources, and… Read More

SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee Seeks New Members

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is soliciting new members of the Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC). The Committee was created by the Small Business Advocate Act of 2016, signed into law by President Obama. The goal is to receive input and recommendations… Read More

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