Politics, Legal & Regulation

August 6, 2025 @ 9:36 am By JD Alois  |  

Several years ago, the European Union enacted harmonized securities crowdfunding rules aimed at removing existing barriers to online capital formation. While heralded at the time, the reality of the new regulations has revealed a disparity among member states in their compliance with the rules. In… Read More

August 6, 2025 @ 12:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Stablecoins, digital assets designed to maintain a stable value by pegging to assets like the U.S. dollar, have emerged as a key part of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. According to recent estimates, they account for trillions of dollars in monthly on-chain value transfers, evolving from crypto… Read More

August 5, 2025 @ 3:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) has recently released a series of updates that shed light on critical economic trends shaping the euro area. From inflation dynamics and wage growth to the enduring relevance of cash and the risks of critical trade dependencies, these reports offer… Read More

August 5, 2025 @ 3:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In its Q2 2025 Industry Insights report, TrueAccord, a machine-learning and AI-driven digital debt collection fintech, offers an analysis of the economic landscape and its implications for the debt collection industry. The update shared by TrueAccord highlights key trends, regulatory updates, and strategic recommendations for… Read More

August 5, 2025 @ 10:03 am By JD Alois  |  

There has been a maelstrom of complaints this week targeting the UK government and its tepid response toward digital asset innovation. As the US moves forward with new law that enables payment stablecoins under the GENIUS Act, and pending legislation on crypto market infrastructure, the… Read More

August 5, 2025 @ 8:24 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Crypto optimism rages, thanks to a softening of America’s position on crypto. That, and Ethereum’s 10th anniversary, had Web3 minds talking last week. NFT market rebound? “Renewed volume around legacy NFT collections like CryptoPunks shows that digital ownership still has speculative appeal, but the more… Read More

August 5, 2025 @ 8:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has taken new steps to promote greater transparency and fairness in Malta’s capital markets, following a comprehensive review of “how listed companies communicate with investors and the public.” The MFSA has released a “Dear CEO Letter” letter addressed to… Read More

August 5, 2025 @ 2:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), France’s financial markets regulator, has recently issued a series of critical updates aimed at safeguarding investors and ensuring the integrity of financial markets. These updates address unauthorized investment schemes, unregulated financial activities, and the oversight of asset management companies,… Read More

August 4, 2025 @ 3:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has publicly declared her intent to enable digital asset innovation in the UK, but for many, the Chancellor is falling short of this goal. Writing in the FT, former Chancellor George Osborne, has slammed Reeves, claiming that Britain… Read More

August 4, 2025 @ 12:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week, the White House revealed its report on the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. The policy initiative was launched by President Donald Trump earlier this year as he sought to address the negligence during the Biden administration regarding digital asset innovation. Immediately, acting… Read More

August 4, 2025 @ 9:24 am By JD Alois  |  

Stablecoins, although often lumped in with cryptocurrency, are actually a new technology that enables payments and transfers. Digital currency, or payments stablecoins, holds the promise of faster, cheaper, and more secure transfers compared to the more traditional processes widely used today. There was a period… Read More

August 4, 2025 @ 8:30 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has released its 2025 Opinion on money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks affecting the EU’s financial sector. 2025 marks a significant change in the ML/TF risk landscape. In a context of important “geopolitical developments, legislative reforms and digitalisation new… Read More

August 4, 2025 @ 4:47 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Major banks are reportedly imposing steep fees on consumers looking to access their account data or transfer funds to fintech and cryptocurrency platforms. Industry professionals are calling this strategy “Operation Chokepoint 3.0,” a nod to earlier regulatory efforts perceived to limit competition in the financial… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 9:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Bank of England (BoE) and its Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) have recently announced a series of initiatives aimed at fostering competition, enhancing financial stability, and modernizing the UK’s financial infrastructure. These measures reflect the BoE’s commitment to balancing economic growth with regulatory oversight. On… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 4:00 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a dedicated task force to accelerate the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across the agency, aiming to enhance innovation, operational efficiency, and regulatory capabilities. Valerie Szczepanik has been appointed as the SEC’s first Chief AI Officer and… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 3:45 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expanding its outreach to the cryptocurrency industry through a new national tour by its Crypto Task Force, aimed at gathering feedback from early-stage crypto startups and underrepresented stakeholders. The initiative follows a series of five roundtables held… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 9:57 am By Michael Wong  |  

The SIDC-CASI SRI Conference 2025 concluded in Kuala Lumpur after three days of discussions focused on accelerating sustainable finance across Southeast Asia. Co-hosted by the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC) and the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), the event gathered more than 300 delegates… Read More

August 1, 2025 @ 11:19 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that retail investors will soon be able to access crypto exchange-traded notes (cETNs), under changes announced by the agency. ETNs, which are similar to ETFs, are debt instruments for investors to gain exposure to an underlying asset…. Read More

August 1, 2025 @ 11:06 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this week, the White House issued a report on the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. David Sacks, the President’s crypto czar, said the report provides a “long-awaited regulatory clarity for innovators in a cutting-edge industry.” “President Trump is delivering on his promise… Read More

August 1, 2025 @ 9:03 am By Omar Faridi  |  

iwoca’s latest SME Expert Index reveals that the Labour Government has had a negative impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during its first year in power, according to SME finance professionals. Almost three-quarters (70%) of SME finance brokers say “that conditions for small businesses have… Read More