Politics, Legal & Regulation

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Last week, the US Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration rescinded a 2022 compliance release that discouraged fiduciaries from including cryptocurrency options in 401(k) retirement plans.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

May 29, 2025 @ 3:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Coalition for Crowdfunding American Jobs and Prosperity (CCAJP) has issued a statement slamming the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the tax and budget legislation that was recently approved by the House of Representatives. The CCAJP members include the Crowdfunding Professionals Association (CfPA) as well as industry… Read More

May 29, 2025 @ 11:54 am By JD Alois  |  

The Crypto Council for Innovation, an advocacy group for the digital asset sector, is welcoming the two consultations launched by the UK Financial Conduct Authority addressing the clarity of regulation for the digital asset industry, including the key stablecoin industry. The consultations cover the issuance… Read More

May 29, 2025 @ 11:35 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is in the midst of two consultations that will impact digital assets or crypto. As the world has taken a recent change in embracing digital asset innovation, the FCA wants to stay in the game, supporting responsible innovation and… Read More

May 28, 2025 @ 4:13 pm By JD Alois  |  

The SEC’s next Crypto Task Force Roundtable is preparing to tackle DeFi or decentralized finance. Entitled “DeFi and the American Spirit,” SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce says DeFi “exemplifies the promise of crypto, as it allows people to interact without intermediaries.” “I look forward to learning… Read More

May 28, 2025 @ 4:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Technology Association (FTA) has told Senate members not to tax remittances nor include citizenship verification as part of the anticipated reconciliation bill. The FTA said that it was joined by six other associations asking the Senate not to “harm hardworking Americans, including active… Read More

May 28, 2025 @ 3:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA) has provided an analysis of Reg CF and Reg A as enabled under the JOBS Act of 2012. The SEC has previously provided data on the various online capital formation exemptions, but… Read More

May 28, 2025 @ 9:30 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Federal oversight of stablecoins is forthcoming. Last month, the House Financial Services Committee reviewed the STABLE Act (HR 2392). Introduced by Chairman French Hill and Rep. Bryan Steil, the STABLE Act expands federal oversight of stablecoins by strengthening compliance mechanisms and providing clear rules for their… Read More

May 27, 2025 @ 5:05 pm By JD Alois  |  

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) has issued “principles” for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the regulation of digital assets, or crypto. NASAA is the entity that represents all state and provincial securities regulators across the continent. At times in the past,… Read More

May 27, 2025 @ 11:28 am By JD Alois  |  

Switzerland-based Sygnum, a digital asset bank, has announced that J. Christopher Giancarlo will be joining Sygnum as a Senior Policy Advisor. Giancarlo, the former Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is well-known for his support of digital asset innovation. Giancarlo served at the CFTC… Read More