Politics, Legal & Regulation

June 5, 2025 @ 10:14 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission is poised to revise its treatment of foreign private issuers. While recognizing that they do not want to deter foreign issuers from US markets, there seems to be an agreement that the playing field needs to be leveled, as disparities… Read More

June 4, 2025 @ 5:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

DailyPay, a worktech company and the provider of On-Demand Pay, marks a significant legislative milestone with the enactment of House Bill 1294, which regulates On-Demand Pay (also known “as earned wage access) services in Maryland.” On-Demand Pay is a critical financial tool that empowers hardworking… Read More

June 4, 2025 @ 4:05 pm By JD Alois  |  

Prediction markets have emerged as a novel asset class where investors may “bet” on the outcome of events. While somewhat similar to traditional securities markets, these platforms are not regulated by securities regulators but fall under the purview of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC),… Read More

June 4, 2025 @ 3:25 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is asking for feedback on the treatment of Foreign Private Issuers. The public comment period will remain open for 90 days following publication of the concept release in the Federal Register. In brief, issuers who are based outside the… Read More

June 4, 2025 @ 8:15 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The cryptocurrency ecosystem has marked a pivotal moment as FTX, once a major crypto exchange, began its creditor distribution process. Sunil, an advocate for FTX creditors known on X as @sunil_trades, shared that around $5 billion is being returned to creditors. Large claims over $50,000… Read More

June 4, 2025 @ 7:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a key decision on May 22, 2025, the Delaware Court of Chancery delivered a significant blow to the board of directors of Ionic Digital Inc., ruling that they breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders. The ruling, which has been hailed as a victory for… Read More

June 3, 2025 @ 10:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Recently, a significant milestone unfolded in the digital asset space as four industry groups—the Blockchain Association, Crypto Council for Innovation, DeFi Education Fund, and The Digital Chamber—issued a joint statement endorsing the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act of 2025, commonly known… Read More

June 3, 2025 @ 10:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) has made significant strides in 2025 to bolster financial stability, advance the digital euro initiative, and address consumer expectations in the Eurozone. Recent updates highlight the ECB’s proactive measures to navigate a complex geopolitical landscape, foster private-sector collaboration for a… Read More

June 3, 2025 @ 5:05 pm By JD Alois  |  

The French Autorité des Marchés Financiers has published its annual report for 2024. As part of the update, the AMF Chair, Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani, outlined three major challenges for the agency. Beyond investor protection and the choppy geopolitical environment, Barbat-Layani focused on the need to vigorously… Read More

June 2, 2025 @ 9:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Office of Data Protection at ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, and the Office of Data Protection of Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration “in data protection and the enforcement of privacy… Read More

June 2, 2025 @ 4:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week, the US Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration rescinded a 2022 compliance release that discouraged fiduciaries from including cryptocurrency options in 401(k) retirement plans. This was part of a broader attack on the digital asset sector during the Biden Administration. In the… Read More

June 2, 2025 @ 3:47 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House of Representatives is attempting to move a comprehensive digital asset framework bill once again. Announced officially last week, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act aims to establish a regulatory framework for the evolving digital asset sector. Introduced by the House Financial Services Committee, Chairman French… Read More

May 31, 2025 @ 3:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, highlighted growing concerns over global financial stability driven by sharp shifts in U.S. trade and security policies. These abrupt changes have triggered significant market volatility and heightened uncertainty, posing risks to both Swedish and global financial systems. Coupled with this,… Read More

May 31, 2025 @ 3:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) announced a significant update to its regulatory framework, aimed at bolstering financial inclusion and modernizing access to banking services across Brazil. This move reflects the BCB’s ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive, efficient, and accessible financial system, particularly… Read More

May 30, 2025 @ 5:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA), has published a report on Regulation A (Reg A) alongside a document reviewing Reg CF. The report states that since Reg A was updated under the JOBS Act of 2012, over 800… Read More

May 30, 2025 @ 2:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Investment firms licensed by the MFSA are expected to update their policies and procedures to be in line with EU rules and guidelines, particularly on their advisory processes “linked to customers’ sustainable preferences.” These expectations correspond with one of the MFSA’s priorities “to increase awareness… Read More

May 30, 2025 @ 12:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Starting January 1, 2026, the UK will implement stringent new tax regulations for cryptocurrency firms under the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). These rules, enforced by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), aim to enhance tax transparency, curb tax… Read More

May 30, 2025 @ 12:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a recent report titled Global Economic Outlook & Strategy: The Global Imprint of U.S. Tariffs — Calm Before the Storm, Citi Research, led by Chief Economist Nathan Sheets, provides a sobering analysis of the global economic landscape in 2025, with a particular focus on… Read More

May 30, 2025 @ 8:54 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Division of Corporate Finance, has issued a clarification on staking. Staking is a process in the crypto sphere where certain holders of digital assets that utilize “Proof of Stake” (PoS) are committed to a consensus process for the network… Read More

May 29, 2025 @ 10:57 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed its civil enforcement case against Binance. Announced in a brief statement today, the SEC said it had filed a joint stipulation with defendants Binance Holdings Limited, BAM Trading Services Inc., BAM Management US Holdings Inc., and Changpeng… Read More