Politics, Legal & Regulation

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

July 30, 2025 @ 11:03 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced the implementation of a regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers, set to take effect on August 1, 2025. This move underscores Hong Kong’s commitment to fostering Fintech advancements in the digital asset space while ensuring financial stability and consumer… Read More

July 30, 2025 @ 4:47 pm By JD Alois  |  

The White House has issued a fact sheet regarding the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. This working group was established under President Trump’s Executive Order 14178 in January. The EO was part of a broader government inititive to support digital asset innovation, something… Read More

July 30, 2025 @ 4:08 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee, along with the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence, have joined to introduce legislation that aims to support the usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in financial services. According to a public statement, the bill, the Unleashing AI… Read More

July 30, 2025 @ 2:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Federal Reserve, Open Market Committee, has decided to hold rates steady in a move that is likely to frustrate President Donald Trump, who has been rather vocal in advocating for lower interest rates. Markets have anticipated this decision with current expectations indicating rate… Read More

July 29, 2025 @ 6:15 pm By JD Alois  |  

Wise (LON:WISE), formerly known as Transferwise, will seek a listing on a US exchange following a shareholder vote. Wise is one of the most successful Fintechs in the UK. In 2024, Wise reported that it enabled £118.5 billion in cross-border transactions, while saving customers over… Read More

July 29, 2025 @ 4:57 pm By JD Alois  |  

Senator Cynthia Lummis, a longtime advocate for digital assets, has introduced the 21st Century Mortgage Act, which requires government-sponsored enterprises to consider digital assets when assessing single-family mortgage eligibility. In effect, if you hold crypto, this asset may be considered as part of your mortgage… Read More

July 29, 2025 @ 10:23 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the evolving ecosystem of digital identity verification, Regtech Prove continues to focus on developing solutions that address critical challenges in fraud prevention, system integration, and regulatory compliance. Recent insights from Prove highlight the company’s commitment to tackling emerging risks and streamlining onboarding processes. Together,… Read More

July 29, 2025 @ 8:55 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is alleging that Concept Capital Group (CCG) and its principals participated in an unauthorized investment plan that raised over £23 million. Court proceedings have just begun, but the agency has issued a statement highlighting that the enforcement action will… Read More

July 29, 2025 @ 3:02 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) continues to shape the euro area’s economic landscape through its monetary policy decisions, research initiatives, and economic surveys. Recent publications from July 2025 provide insights into the ECB’s strategies for maintaining price stability, addressing wage dynamics, and understanding economic impacts… Read More

July 28, 2025 @ 9:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Trump Administration, which began its term in January 2025, has ushered in a transformative period for cryptocurrency policy in the United States, aiming to position the nation as the global “crypto capital.” This shift marks a departure from the enforcement-heavy approach of the Biden… Read More