Politics, Legal & Regulation

November 5, 2018 @ 3:04 pm By Cali Haan  |  

As part of ongoing government efforts to quash initial coin offerings (ICOs) in China, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has extended prohibitions to cover “airdrops” -the promotional distribution of free cryptographic tokens- which may possibly be being used now in China to circumvent the… Read More

November 5, 2018 @ 2:22 pm By JD Alois  |  

According to a report today, the Director of Corporate Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bill Hinman, told an audience at DC Fintech Week that guidance will be forthcoming for cryptocurrency issuers. The report first picked up by CoinTelegraph, quoted Hinman: “We also will be… Read More

November 5, 2018 @ 9:07 am By JD Alois  |  

Last week, more than 500 government officials, financial sector professionals and corporate leaders from China and Southeast Asia attended the inaugural China (Chongqing)-Singapore Connectivity Initiative Financial Summit in Chongqing. According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Summit presented collaboration opportunities on cross-border financial… Read More

November 5, 2018 @ 8:11 am By Cali Haan  |  

Trading cryptocurrencies anonymously is no longer legal in Taiwan, Focus Taiwan reports. The change was made Friday, November 2nd as Taiwan prepares to be evaluated by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), which will take place between Nov. 5th and the 16th. Although Taiwan also… Read More

November 5, 2018 @ 8:02 am By JD Alois  |  

On Friday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Division of Enforcement, issued their annual report updating on fiscal 2018 enforcement actions. According to the report, 2018 was a busy year as more than 821 enforcement actions occurred, representing a “diverse mix” of securities law transgressions…. Read More

November 3, 2018 @ 6:13 pm By JD Alois  |  

During Hong Kong Fintech Week, the CEO of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Ashley Alder, spoke about the benefits and challenges of Fintech. According to Alder: “It is obvious that the pace of change and innovation in financial services is unprecedented. We… Read More

November 3, 2018 @ 5:50 pm By JD Alois  |  

Announced during Hong Kong Fintech Week, the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong issued a statement on their approach which seeks to bring both digital asset portfolio managers and distributors of these “virtual asset funds” under its regulatory purview. Additionally, SFC has released a… Read More

November 2, 2018 @ 5:03 pm By Cali Haan  |  

The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan has issued a warning to investors cautioning them around investing or trading in cryptocurrencies. In its “Using Or Investing In Cryptocurrency? Know The Risks” release issued October 31st, the last day of Investor… Read More

November 2, 2018 @ 3:58 pm By Cali Haan  |  

Lawyers for the Winklevoss twins want to know where “Bitcoin’s first felon” Charlie Shrem’s money is coming from, and are suing him for 5000 bitcoins they say he owes their clients, the New York Times (NYT) reports. Shrem and a partner from England started Bitinstant in… Read More

November 2, 2018 @ 11:33 am By JD Alois  |  

The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, shared details of the Bank’s annual Future Forum today. The “Future Forum 2018” will have the theme of “Let’s Decide the Future of Money”. Carney, typically a vocal proponent of Fintech innovation, said: “… this is a chance… Read More

November 1, 2018 @ 7:07 am By Erin Hobey  |  

OpenInvest, a digital investment advisor for socially responsible investing, launched Divest from Dark Money, a one-click way to invest in companies that prioritize political transparency. The Divest from Dark Money screen allows investors to divest from companies that fail to publicly disclose whether corporate funds… Read More

October 31, 2018 @ 9:15 pm By Cali Haan  |  

Politicians and regulators attending a recent meeting of the Indian Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) were briefed  that a dedicated “High-level Committee” chaired by the country’s Secretary of Economic affairs is, “deliberat(ing)…to devise an appropriate legal framework to ban use of private cryptocurrencies in India…”… Read More

October 30, 2018 @ 12:00 pm By Samuel Guzik  |  

As a securities attorney, when I attend a conference in a rapidly developing area, I come with my own prejudices and beliefs, but with an open mind and open ears – to hear,  digest and discuss the latest developments and thinking.  The 2018 Crypto Invest… Read More

October 30, 2018 @ 11:12 am By Cali Haan  |  

Jacob Burrell Campos, 21, plead guilty in San Diego yesterday to operating an unlicensed money business and agreed to forfeit $823,357.00, according to a news release from the US Attorney’s Office-Southern District of California. Mr Campos admitted he traded hundreds of thousands of dollars of… Read More

October 30, 2018 @ 11:05 am By JD Alois  |  

Law firm Perkins Coie has added former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Branch Chief Valerie Dahiya to the firms DC office. Dahiya is joining Perkins Coie’s corporate practice as a partner. Importantly, Dahiya will join the firms Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group and the… Read More

October 30, 2018 @ 9:12 am By JD Alois  |  

As one would expect, yesterday’s Autumn Budget announcement delivered something for everyone. With Brexit getting closer, the UK Government is in “all-hands” mode seeking to boost the economy in preparation for the European divorce. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond stated: “We are at a… Read More

October 30, 2018 @ 8:11 am By Erin Hobey  |  

HM Government of Gibraltar has launched of the Gibraltar Association for New Technologies (GANT), a trade association that aims to drive forward Gibraltar’s innovative approach to Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). The association seeks to establish formal lines of communication between policy makers and the private… Read More

October 29, 2018 @ 6:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

In the wake of the Autumn Budget  delivered by Chancellor of the Exchequer Philipp Hammond today, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Bank of England, and HM Treasury has published their final report on the topic of regulating cryptoassets and distributed ledger technology (DLT/blockchain). The Cryptoasset… Read More

October 29, 2018 @ 11:02 am By JD Alois  |  

According to the Telegraph today, a recent report on crypto-assets and the potential for added regulation from the UK Parliament, warns that regulatory over-reach may crush the UKs leading Fintech hub status. Patrick Curry, chief executive of the British Business Federation Authority, told the Telegraph,… Read More

October 29, 2018 @ 9:15 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is reporting an increase in complaints directed at regulated firms during the first 6 months of 2018. This represents a “new record level” of 4.13 million complaints made to 3161 firms. This is an increase of 10% versus the… Read More