Politics, Legal & Regulation

January 27, 2025 @ 5:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

There have been many reports of “Debanking” taking place during the Biden Administration. At times, these reports focused on crypto-related firms that saw their accounts closed by banks – typically with little notice. There have also been reports of Debanking taking place for political reasons…. Read More

January 27, 2025 @ 4:08 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Donald Trump’s inauguration has generated speculation on a range of financial issues. Continue reading for a selection of industry commentary. Cryptocurrency “The most important development will be the legal certainty that comes from a more friendly US regulatory regime. We are now likely to see… Read More

January 27, 2025 @ 1:19 pm By JD Alois  |  

ICAN, or Investors Choice Advocates Network, is a non-profit that advocates on behalf of underserved investors and those individuals deemed to be unfairly targeted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. ICAN supports investors’ rights, which sometimes suffer from too much government and too little freedom…. Read More

January 27, 2025 @ 12:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

The new T3 Financial Crime Unit, or T3 FCU, says it has worked with the Spanish Guardia Civil to help freeze $26.4 million in funds from a money laundering ploy. T3 FCU was created by Tether, Tron, and TRM Labs to pursue crypto crimes. The money laundering… Read More

January 27, 2025 @ 7:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Elon Musk, the newly appointed leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is reportedly exploring the potential use of blockchain technology to improve government efficiency and significantly reduce spending. According to Bloomberg, which cited sources familiar with the matter, Musk has discussed with close… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 9:56 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani, Chairwoman of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), outlined the regulator’s key priorities for the next twelve months. These priorities align with the AMF’s strategic framework, “IMPACT 2027,” and reflect its objectives for 2025. Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani said: “As we step into 2025, the… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 6:58 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Consumers should remain vigilant against romance fraud, which continues to harm unsuspecting individuals each month, according to Bank of Ireland. The bank emphasizes the importance of staying cautious and not allowing emotions to override financial judgment. Romance fraud involves scammers creating false identities to build… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 6:54 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris announced that PayPal, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) will pay a $2 million penalty to New York State for violations of DFS’s Cybersecurity Regulation. An investigation determined PayPal failed to use qualified personnel to manage key… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 3:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Zumo, the B2B digital assets platform, released survey report exploring the preparedness of Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs) for the EU’s incoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, with “a particular focus on sustainability requirements.” The MiCA CASP Sustainability Readiness Assessment snapshot report highlights a “sustainability compliance… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 12:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a major development for Indian cryptocurrency exchange WazirX, the Singapore High Court has officially endorsed the platform’s restructuring plan, offering a path toward repaying user funds lost in a substantial cyberattack. This hack, which occurred in July 2024, resulted in a $235 million loss… Read More

January 25, 2025 @ 5:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Bank of London has missed the deadline for filing its 2023 accounts with Companies House, marking a significant issue for the financial institution. The accounts were due by December 31, 2024, but the bank has yet to file them, causing concern among stakeholders. According… Read More

January 25, 2025 @ 1:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

CLS Global FZC LLC, a financial services firm known in the cryptocurrency industry as a “market maker,” has agreed to resolve criminal charges relating to its fraudulent manipulation of cryptocurrency trading volume. As part of the criminal resolution, CLS Global will plead guilty to the… Read More

January 24, 2025 @ 4:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against the CEO of a startup artificial intelligence (AI) firm and his wife. The SEC alleges fraud involving fake audit reports and other financial documents. A criminal indictment has simultaneously been revealed, charging the duo with… Read More

January 24, 2025 @ 10:59 am By JD Alois  |  

President Donald Trump sent a memorandum to the incoming Secretary of the Treasury announcing the end of the Global Tax initiative established under the Biden Administration. There are many reasons why the Global Tax was a bad deal to begin with, and Trump’s action is… Read More

January 24, 2025 @ 10:32 am By JD Alois  |  

Representative French Hill, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman Bryan Steil have posted a comment following President Trump signing Executive Orders relating to digital assets and AI. Yesterday, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to supporting… Read More

January 24, 2025 @ 9:23 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order supporting digital asset development. The order seeks to ensure US leadership in digital financial technology. A working group will soon be established chaired by the White House AI & Crypto Czar, David Sacks, and include the Secretary of… Read More

January 23, 2025 @ 6:28 pm By JD Alois  |  

SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 121 is no more. Today, SAB 122 rescinded the guidance of SAB 121 – the bulletin that “expressed the views of the staff regarding the accounting for obligations to safeguard crypto-assets an entity holds for platform users.” Effectively, this made… Read More

January 23, 2025 @ 5:33 pm By JD Alois  |  

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order today that aims to keep the US at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI) development. The EO revokes “certain existing AI policies and directives” that have been deemed to undermine AI innovation. The goal is to clear a… Read More

January 23, 2025 @ 5:19 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Executive Orders keep coming out of the White House. Today, President Donald Trump signed several big ones – including an Executive Order that aims to ensure US leadership in digital financial technology or Fintech, including AI and digital assets. The Order establishes a Presidential… Read More

January 23, 2025 @ 3:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fenergo, the provider of AI-powered solutions for Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-money Laundering (AML), transaction monitoring and Client Lifecycle Management (CLM), has released its analysis of global financial institution enforcement actions from Jan 1, 2024, to Dec 31, 2024. Fenergo’s report reveals critical insights into the… Read More