Politics, Legal & Regulation

June 24, 2025 @ 9:44 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move signaling a potential shift in the U.S. financial landscape, newly appointed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins has outlined a vision to position the United States as the world’s leading hub for cryptocurrency and digital asset innovation. Speaking on Fox… Read More

June 24, 2025 @ 7:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act (HR 3394) has been approved by the House of Representatives. The legislation now moves over to the Senate for a vote. As the Senate is controlled by Republicans, the bill holds a high probability of becoming law…. Read More

June 24, 2025 @ 8:34 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The digital asset ecosystem continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements and shifting regulatory frameworks. Recent updates from the IRS and insights from Taxbit and other industry professionals highlight significant developments in digital asset broker reporting and the growing potential of Bitcoin as a global… Read More

June 24, 2025 @ 5:00 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Investors Exchange LLC (IEX) has amended its Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) compliance rule to reflect a five-year extension granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to timestamp granularity requirements. The rule change, filed with the SEC on June 17, updates IEX… Read More

June 24, 2025 @ 12:51 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Bank of England (BoE) has recently made significant strides in enhancing transparency, reinforcing global financial standards, and advancing its economic forecasting capabilities. These efforts reflect the central bank’s commitment to fostering trust, stability, and precision in its operations amid a complex economic landscape. In… Read More

June 22, 2025 @ 9:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the global energy market is bracing for potential upheaval. Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is referencing Polymarket to assess the probability of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil shipments. Approximately 30% of the world’s oil… Read More

June 22, 2025 @ 5:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) is gearing up for a significant milestone with the planned launch of the digital euro in October 2025. This development marks a pivotal shift in the region’s financial infrastructure, aiming to integrate digital currency into everyday transactions across the euro… Read More

June 20, 2025 @ 1:15 pm By JD Alois  |  

On June 12th, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yanked 14 proposed rules that were pursued during the aggressive Gensler administration. While the former SEC Chairman during the Biden Administration sought to undermine innovation while pursuing a social agenda, the Atkins Commission is clearly realigning… Read More

June 20, 2025 @ 8:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) has recently released a series of updates that provide critical insights into the euro area’s economic trajectory, reflecting shifts in wage growth, environmental commitments, and structural changes in the banking sector. These announcements underscore the ECB’s ongoing efforts to maintain… Read More

June 19, 2025 @ 11:13 am By JD Alois  |  

The Laffer Curve is alive and well. The economic theory is based on the fact that if people are taxed too much, they will eventually vote with their feet, thereby reducing the tax revenue that policymakers anticipated when raising taxes. It has been widely reported… Read More

June 19, 2025 @ 9:53 am By JD Alois  |  

The Bank of England decided to hold rates steady today, mainly due to concerns about sticky inflation. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), by a six-to-three vote, decided to hold the bank rate at 4.25%. The three dissenters preferred to lower rates by 25 basis points. The… Read More

June 18, 2025 @ 2:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Federal Reserve has decided to hold rates steady in a decision that came as no surprise. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted unanimously to keep rates at 4.25% to 4.5%. The FOMC added that it will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities,… Read More

June 18, 2025 @ 11:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has published its 2024 Annual Report, outlining a year of regulatory progress, strategic reform, and close collaboration with stakeholders both locally and internationally. The report highlights the Authority’s efforts to “bolster market oversight, support a growing financial services sector,… Read More

June 18, 2025 @ 10:27 am By JD Alois  |  

The “Big, Beautiful Bill,” working its way through Congress, is a tax-and-spend legislation that has supporters and detractors on all sides. Regarding the tax portion, the legislation aims to ensure the previous Trump tax law remains in place, as much of it is scheduled to… Read More

June 17, 2025 @ 6:17 pm By JD Alois  |  

The GENIUS Act  (S. 1582) was approved by the Senate today, thus moving federal regulations for stablecoins closer to reality. While stablecoins are typically tied to other assets, such as fiat currency, gold, or perhaps an algorithm, this legislation explicitly addresses payment stablecoins or digital… Read More

June 16, 2025 @ 4:21 pm By JD Alois  |  

The GENIUS Act (S. 1582), legislation that aims to provide regulatory clarity for stablecoins, is expected to head to a floor vote in the US Senate tomorrow. Last week, the bill was part of a cloture motion, which then limited debate, allowing it to move… Read More

June 16, 2025 @ 11:41 am By Michael Wong  |  

A bipartisan bill designed to modernize crowdfunding regulations and expand access to capital for small businesses advanced out of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, potentially paving the way for significant changes to Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) requirements. The legislation is one of many proposed by… Read More

June 16, 2025 @ 9:55 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Sweden’s central bank, the Riksbank, has been navigating a challenging economic landscape in 2025, as outlined in recent updates. From a gloomy business survey to new monetary policy measures and reflections on communication strategies, the Riksbank’s actions reflect a cautious approach to stabilizing Sweden’s economy… Read More

June 16, 2025 @ 8:05 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As the digital asset landscape evolves, so too does the global regulatory framework governing it. Starting January 1, 2026, the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and the EU’s DAC8 directive will usher in a new era of tax transparency for digital asset platforms. These regulations,… Read More

June 15, 2025 @ 7:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Vietnam has passed a sweeping law to regulate digital assets and boost the country’s technology sector, formally legalizing crypto assets and laying the groundwork for strategic investments in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The Law on Digital Technology Industry, approved by the National Assembly on Saturday,… Read More