Politics, Legal & Regulation

March 14, 2018 @ 5:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

Today, during a hearing by the House Financial Services Committee, subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment, representatives queried industry participants on the topic of “Examing the Cryptocurrencies and ICO Markets.” Crypto is a hot item of discussion on Capitol Hill. Both regulators and elected officials… Read More

March 14, 2018 @ 10:06 am By JD Alois  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of Lithuania have agreed to collaborate and mutually support the development of the Fintech ecosystems and encourage financial innovation between the two countries. Today, MAS and the Bank signed a Fintech Co-operation Agreement during the Money… Read More

March 14, 2018 @ 9:27 am By JD Alois  |  

In the early days of investment crowdfunding, many individuals assumed that most capital raised would go mainly to seed funding rounds. Startups that have a choice to bootstrap or raise equity capital from angel investors or risk taking VCs. But today, this is not the… Read More

March 13, 2018 @ 7:06 pm By JD Alois  |  

Rise of the CBDC Coin? Perhaps. The Bank for International Settlements have added their $0.02 to the discussion in a recently published paper from the Committee on Payments and Market Infrustructure, Markets Committee. The report entitled Central Bank Digital Currencies (or CDBCs) is the work… Read More

March 13, 2018 @ 2:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) is the leading research authority on global innovations in finance. Over the past several years, CCAF has produced benchmark reports tracking the growth and evolution of all forms of Fintech around the world. These reports have become valued… Read More

March 13, 2018 @ 9:28 am By JD Alois  |  

At the beginning of 2018, a new Chair took over at the Israel Securities Authority (ISA). Anat Guetta took over the executive position from Shmuel Hauser. Recently, Guetta has indicated a more welcoming approach when it comes to initial coin offerings (ICOs) and crypto in general…. Read More

March 13, 2018 @ 8:34 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities Commissioner of South Carolina, part of the office of the Attorney General of the state, has issued a Cease & Desist Order two global cryptocurrency miners: Swiss Gold Global and Genesis Mining. Genisis Mining is based in Hong Kong. Swiss Gold Global is… Read More

March 12, 2018 @ 12:40 pm By Anthony Zeoli  |  

Following the SEC’s recent initial subpoena offerings (pun intended) targeting initial coin offering (ICO) issuers, many believe the SEC might now turn its sights toward some of the gatekeepers involved in the subject ICOs, including the attorneys. Some attorneys practicing in the ICO space have… Read More

March 12, 2018 @ 11:12 am By JD Alois  |  

As Crowdfund Insider shared last week, the House Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment will hold a hearing entitled “Examining Cryptocurrencies and ICO Markets.” The Hearing will take place at Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC but the proceedings will… Read More

March 11, 2018 @ 1:42 pm By Xu Gao  |  

  Fintech Remarks and Proposals from 2018 Two Legislative Sessions March 3rd saw the opening of “2018 NPC & CPPCC: annual legislative and political advisory sessions” in China. Here are some fintech related remarks and proposals that we summarized from this year’s sessions. (Source: 01Caijing)… Read More

March 11, 2018 @ 10:56 am By JD Alois  |  

The US Department of Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), recently sent a letter to US Senator Ron Wyden clarifying its stance on cryptocurrency exchanges that these entities must register as Money Services Businesses (MSBs). While the letter from FinCEN signed by Assistant Secretary for… Read More

March 10, 2018 @ 3:02 pm By Philip Liu  |  

On March 7, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a public statement warning that cryptocurrency coin exchanges were possibly operating as unlawful online trading platforms¹.  The SEC staff noted that “many online trading platforms appear to investors as SEC-registered and regulated marketplaces when… Read More

March 10, 2018 @ 1:12 pm By JD Alois  |  

As we reported last week, the European Commission has announced its intent to pursue a Fintech Action Plan designed to boost Fintech innovation across continental Europe. The recognition that enabling innovations in finance are of strategic importance. This is a vital step in keeping Europe… Read More

March 9, 2018 @ 3:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee has scheduled a Hearing on “Examining the Cryptocurrencies and ICO Markets.” The Hearing will take place on March 14th at 10AM and  should be live streamed on the Committee website. Details are thin for the moment but as soon as we… Read More

March 9, 2018 @ 6:43 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Crowdfunding Association (UKCFA) has shared a brief comment regarding proposed rules released by the European Commission yesterday that are expected to be enacted. These updated rules are designed to streamline cross border crowdfunding offerings to the benefit of issuers, investors and platforms. By… Read More

March 8, 2018 @ 11:34 am By JD Alois  |  

The European Commission is finally address a pressing issue: facilitating online capital formation across all member countries in the European Union. Since investment crowdfunding emerged as a viable form of providing access to capital to early stage – and later stage companies – the industry… Read More

March 8, 2018 @ 6:59 am By JD Alois  |  

The European Commission has published their Fintech Action Plan representing a strategic approach to boosting “technology-enabled innovation in financial services”.  As a first “major deliverable,” the Commission published new rules designed to help crowdfunding platforms to expand across the EU’s single market. The Commission is also… Read More

March 7, 2018 @ 8:16 pm By JD Alois  |  

Thailand may launch new rules governing initial coin offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrencies in general later this month. This is according to a report in the Bangkok Post today referencing multiple government officials. According to the write up, Thailand will define digital currencies as property –… Read More

March 7, 2018 @ 4:40 pm By JD Alois  |  

As we wrote at the end of February, Wyoming wants to become the Crypto-Valley of US – similar to the Crypto-Valley in Zug, Switzerland. Today, Wyoming surpassed an important milestone as ALL 5 cryptocurrency bills were passed  by both the House and the Wyoming Senate…. Read More

March 7, 2018 @ 1:43 pm By Dixie L. Johnson, Brian R. Michael, Ehren Halse, Kyle Sheahen, and Matthew B. Hanson  |  

  For initial coin offering (ICOs or token offerings, SAFT, etc.) issuers, investors, token holders, and anyone else operating in the cryptocurrency market, the message of recent days is clear: the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has shifted into high gear. News reports indicate that… Read More