Politics, Legal & Regulation

April 3, 2016 @ 9:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

As we reported late last month, the Australian government has published a document on Fintech outlining the intent of the Turnbull administration to aid financial innovation.   The policy paper was presented by Aussie Treasury Scott Morrisson as a solid sign of the changing forces… Read More

April 3, 2016 @ 11:42 am By JD Alois  |  

The CrowdfundingHub, based in the Netherlands, has published a report on the state of the crowdfunding industry in 27 different European countries. The organization worked with 30 different individuals across Europe to produce the report. The release, coordinated with an event that took place last… Read More

April 1, 2016 @ 6:12 pm By JD Alois  |  

As Albert Einstein so eloquently commented on the human ability of being duped; “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” Yes, most of us have fallen prey to good intentions gone bad at one point… Read More

April 1, 2016 @ 2:38 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Department of Treasury, via the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), has published a proposed rule change that impacts the definition of a funding portal under Title III of the JOBS Act. This new rule-making would amend some definitions to include funding portals. Specifically,… Read More

April 1, 2016 @ 10:14 am By JD Alois  |  

Like much of the rest of the world, Singapore is embracing Fintech and looking to give financial innovation a boost by launching the SG-Innovate Fintech hub.  Fintech in Singapore received a small but important mention in the most recent governmental budget stating; “To give these… Read More

March 31, 2016 @ 11:04 pm By JD Alois  |  

During the keynote address at Stanford’s Rock Center for Corporate Governance at the event entitled “The Silicon Valley Initiative: Protecting Investments in Pre-IPO Issuers”, SEC Chair Mary Jo White delivered a wide ranging speech on the challenges of operating in the internet fueled age of finance…. Read More

March 31, 2016 @ 9:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Bank of England has released the monthly statistics regarding lending and according to the BOE lending to non-financial SMEs grew by £0.7 billion compared to an average monthly increase of £0.2 billion over the previous 6 months. Certainly an improvement.  Louise Beaumont, an executive… Read More

March 31, 2016 @ 6:01 pm By Robin Sosnow  |  

The “democratization of investment” in historically closed industries have been the buzzwords of choice since the JOBS Act was signed into to law in 2012. But only since March 25, 2015, when the SEC voted to adopt the proposed rules implementing Title IV, was access… Read More

March 30, 2016 @ 3:26 pm By Therese Torris  |  

The French Minister of Economy, Emmanuel Macron was the guest star of the 3rd annual meeting of the French crowdfunding association. He expressed his commitment to the crowdfunding economy, shared his views on the regulation of innovation, and, to prove his point, announced several significant… Read More

March 27, 2016 @ 6:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

The next meeting of the Investor Advisory Committee (IAC) is scheduled to take place at the offices of the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14th. As always, the meeting is open to the public but most of the proceedings will be live-streamed on the… Read More

March 25, 2016 @ 9:59 am By JD Alois  |  

Scottsdale Capital Advisors Corp is challenging the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) ability to act as a securities regulator in Maryland federal court by stating it does not truly have a Congressional mandate to wield such power. The lawsuit is in response to proceedings pertaining… Read More

March 24, 2016 @ 10:50 am By JD Alois  |  

A growing number of governments are seeking to provide political might to support financial innovation.  While the UK may have trailblazed a path for the rest of the world, there is still time to catch up but without governmental acknowledgement it is pretty tough to… Read More

March 23, 2016 @ 10:55 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have inked an agreement to support innovative businesses seeking to gain entrance into each others markets.  The unique arrangement will see financial regulators looking to reduce bureaucratic red tape to help… Read More

March 22, 2016 @ 6:08 pm By JD Alois  |  

A new bill seeking to improve access to capital for small business is making its way through Congress right now. The “Micro Lending Safe Harbor Act”, sponsored by Congressman Tom Emmer, has captured some solid endorsements as both the National Small Business Association and the Small Business… Read More

March 21, 2016 @ 7:46 pm By JD Alois  |  

The lawsuit against the SEC targeting the updated exemption called Reg A+ will take another step forward next month as oral arguments are scheduled to be heard in the US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia. The case known as Monica J. Lindeen, Montana State… Read More

March 21, 2016 @ 4:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

Innovate Finance and US Fintech firms have forged a “Transatlantic Policy Working Group” (TPWG) to help promote an open and collaborative approach with respect to Fintech policy in both the UK and UK, as well as around the world.  According to Innovate Finance, the objective… Read More

March 21, 2016 @ 7:52 am By JD Alois  |  

The question as to whether the UK should, or should not, depart the European Union, is an incredibly divisive debate. The “Brexit” will be placed before voters in forthcoming referendum this coming June. Those who believe a Brexit is in the best interest of Great… Read More

March 20, 2016 @ 11:31 am By JD Alois  |  

Engine, an advocacy group based in San Francisco that promotes policy that supports all of the cool technology bubbling up from the most creative community in the world, has added their $0.02 to the debate regarding the definition of an Accredited Investor. The discussion regarding… Read More

March 20, 2016 @ 10:47 am By Robert Riedl  |  

Well, the Federal Reserve has spoken again and though we are all listening, sometimes it’s hard to tell what all those carefully crafted paragraphs actually mean.  So here’s a quick snapshot of the top three things that you, as a small business owner, should know…. Read More

March 19, 2016 @ 9:00 am By JD Alois  |  

In a post on Medium earlier this week, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy revealed details of a plan to boost and encourage innovation in the largest economy in the world. Partnering on the project with Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry, a Representative who was vital… Read More