Politics, Legal & Regulation

May 25, 2017 @ 2:05 pm By JD Alois  |  

Michigan enacted an intrastate investment crowdfunding exemption back in 2013 with broad bipartisan support. But legislators are looking to expand the reach of the current rule by updating the law. According to the Michigan House Republicans, State Representative Bronna Kahle’s new legislation (HB 4305) will broaden… Read More

May 25, 2017 @ 6:48 am By Erin Hobey  |  

ArchOver, a UK P2P business lending platform, has secured full authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority to operate as a P2P lending platform (Article 36H). Since launching in September 2014, ArchOver has facilitated over £35 million of investment over its platform, operating under interim permissions granted by… Read More

May 24, 2017 @ 5:07 pm By JD Alois  |  

This one falls under recently discovered. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report on Financial Technology, or Fintech, for Congress this past April.  The report, subtitled Information on Subsectors and Regulatory Oversight, was at the behest of several members of Congress including; Senator Sherrod… Read More

May 24, 2017 @ 12:20 pm By Therese Torris  |  

    After multiple formal and informal discussions with representatives of the crowdfunding sector, consumer associations and the German financial establishment, the Financial Committee of the German Parliament has drawn its conclusions from the review of one year of operation under the German crowdfunding regulation,… Read More

May 23, 2017 @ 9:34 am By JD Alois  |  

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have signed a “Memorandum of Cooperation” agreeing to establish and develop the ASEAN Financial Innovation Network (AFIN). AFIN will strive to increase the adoption of Fintech innovation and… Read More

May 22, 2017 @ 5:51 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Online Lenders Alliance (OLA) has sent a letter to the California Assembly Apparitions Committee stating their “strong opposition” to AB 784.  This bill, if enacted into law, will set a rate cap for consumer loans between $300 and $5000.  OLA states this legislation has… Read More

May 22, 2017 @ 2:26 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK has led the European continent in economic growth and Fintech innovation. This welcomed phenomenon is due, in part, to a culture of entrepreneurism and a supportive government. One important catalyst in the growth equation are the tax incentives available to early and mid-stage… Read More

May 22, 2017 @ 11:10 am By JD Alois  |  

Sam Guzik, a securities attorney and Crowdfund Insider Senior Contributor, has shared his perspective on Congressman Patrick McHenry’s letter to SEC Chair Jay Clayton. Guzik welcomes, McHenry’s requests but believes more needs to be done; “I applaud the unrelenting and tireless efforts of Congressman McHenry… Read More

May 22, 2017 @ 10:01 am By Georgia Quinn  |  

Once again, crowdfunding’s white knight rides into action. Congressman Patrick McHenry sent a letter to the newly sworn in Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Jay Clayton outlining certain provisions of the regulations relating to Title III of the JOBS Act that need… Read More

May 22, 2017 @ 9:57 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Dubai’s pioneering government-backed initiative to implement blockchain technology across the city is now into its third month, and the pilot schemes continue to roll out. The move aims  to secure the city’s reputation as a leading Middle Eastern business center. This month Dubai’s largest bank, Emirates… Read More

May 22, 2017 @ 9:15 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Linked Finance, an Irish P2P lending platform, has received full authorization by the UK Financial Conduct Authority which will enable the platform to actuate growth into the UK market, according to multiple Irish news sources. In late April, the Ireland government announced a Public Consultation on the Regulation… Read More

May 20, 2017 @ 4:30 pm By Scott Andersen & George S. Georgiades  |  

With the one year anniversary of Crowdfunding under Regulation Crowdfunding occurring on May 16th, business executives and compliance officers at registered Crowdfunding Portals (CFPs) should be actively preparing for their first regulatory examination by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).   FINRA’s 2017 exam cycle… Read More

May 19, 2017 @ 2:33 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed fraud charges agains Robert W. Murray, a mechanical engineer from Virginia. Murray allegedly cooked up a bogus regulator filing in an attempt to manipulate the share price of Fitbit. In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the… Read More

May 19, 2017 @ 10:29 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this month, Crowdfund Insider wrote about the Financial CHOICE Act and the portions that address raising capital online. It is a pretty big piece of legislation at 589 pages and a multitude of subsections. Subtitle P or the “Fix Crowdfunding” appeared to fall short of… Read More

May 19, 2017 @ 3:50 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre in Abu Dhabi, has joined R3 as a new member of its international consortium. ADGM is the first regulatory body in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to be part of the R3 consortium, comprising over… Read More

May 18, 2017 @ 1:52 pm By JD Alois  |  

Brazil used to be the darling of emerging markets. For years the country could do no wrong. Blessed with amazing natural resources, including a good supply of oil, and a growing middle class, Brazil appeared to be trailblazing a path to prosperity and growth. Today,… Read More

May 18, 2017 @ 4:10 am By JD Alois  |  

The SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies (ACSEC) discussed the regulation of “Finders” at their most recent meeting in Washington, DC. Finders can act as a vital catalyst in matching investors to smaller companies yet there is “significant uncertainty” in the regulation of… Read More

May 18, 2017 @ 1:34 am By JD Alois  |  

Hong Kong has been sizing up the Fintech sector of finance for awhile now. But while Hong Kong is a regional financial powerhouse, when it comes to Fintech innovation they have ceded ground to Singapore.  Yet authorities recognize that Fintech has the potential to deliver… Read More

May 17, 2017 @ 4:38 pm By JD Alois  |  

At the annual FINRA Conference in Washington, DC, this week FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook took the stage to talk about change.  In a speech entitled A Changing Industry – A Changing Industry, Cook reflected on his initiative to build a better FINRA.  In… Read More

May 17, 2017 @ 10:04 am By JD Alois  |  

The SEC’s Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies (ACSEC) addressed questions about secondary market liquidity in Reg A+ securities last week at their meeting in DC.  The Committee members reviewed challenges and demands for facilitating secondary transactions. Providing liquidity is an important aspect of… Read More