Politics, Legal & Regulation

Policy and regulations impacting innovations in Finance.

SEC Said Keurig Stretched Truth on Recyclability, Company Settles by Paying $1.5 Million Penalty

Popular coffee capsule company Keurig will have to pay a $1.5 million penalty as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claims it made “inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pods.” The SEC claims that Kuerig stated in annual reports that their pods could be… Read More

FBI Releases Latest Crypto Fraud Report: Over $5 Billion Lost to Fraudulent Activities

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has published the 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report. The FBI released its Cryptocurrency Fraud Report for the past year. In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center “received more than 69,000 complaints from the public regarding cyber-enabled crime and financial fraud… Read More

Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Banks Commit to Enhancing SME Financing

Hong Kong City

The joint Taskforce on SME Lending, established by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), recently held its inaugural meeting attended by representatives from the HKMA, HKAB, and 14 banks actively involved in lending to small and medium-sized… Read More

House Financial Services Committee Reports Series of Bills Targeting China

House Financial Services Committee Republicans have issued a statement on their efforts to “combat the economic threat from the Chinese Communist Party.” China has become more jingoist under the leadership of  President Xi Jinping. The Chairman of the CCP has sought to curtail economic freedom… Read More

North American Securities Administrators Association Reaches Settlement Over Digital Asset Investments with GSB Group Based in Germany

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) says it has reached a settlement with GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG (GS Partners or GSB Group), a Fintech and banking firm that allegedly solicited more than 800,000 investors around the world to participate in investments including digital… Read More

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) Expected to Propose Rule on For Benefit Of (FBO) Accounts, Will Impact Fintechs: Report

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) is expected to propose new rules impacting For Benefit Of (FBO) accounts which will affect the neobanking sector. According to a report by Bloomberg, the FDIC will make the proposal as soon as this month. This follows the Synapse… Read More

G7 Calls for Global AI Regulation and Cybersecurity Standards

National legislatures will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and enhancing cybersecurity, according to a statement released by representatives of the Group of Seven (G7) countries. The statement was issued at the conclusion of the G7 Speakers’ Meeting held… Read More

Chainalysis Shares Insights on Russia’s Crypto Pivot: Legislated Sanctions Evasion

Chainalysis has shared key insights focused on Russia’s cryptocurrency pivot as well as legislated sanctions “evasion.” In response to mounting financial pressures of Western sanctions, Russia enacted significant legislation “legalizing cryptocurrency mining and permitting the use of cryptocurrency for international payments.” Chainalysis added that the… Read More

ClearBank Comments on APP Fraud Reimburse

As was reported earlier, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has decided to review the reimbursement cap on App fraud with the intent to set it at £85,00. This has been widely embraced by the payments sector as previously the reimbursement cap was expected to be… Read More

Two Legal Experts Comment on OpenSea Wells Notice and Potential SEC Enforcement Action: Are NFTs Securities?

Last week, OpenSea, a popular NFT [non-fungible token] marketplace, revealed that it had received a Wells Notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The missive indicates a good probability of a forthcoming enforcement action against the firm. While NFTs are largely aligned with digital… Read More

California Attorney General Secures $3.9M Settlement with Robinhood Crypto

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $3.9 million settlement with crypto trading platform Robinhood Crypto, LLC for failing to allow customers to withdraw their cryptocurrency from their Robinhood accounts from 2018 to 2022, and for “failing to fully disclose aspects of its trading and… Read More

Taxbit Introduces 1099-DA Support to Enhance Compliance for Digital Assets Brokers

Taxbit, the digital asset tax and accounting platform, announced its comprehensive support for the 1099-DA form, a crucial step toward ensuring compliance with the newly released US Treasury and IRS Digital Asset Broker Regulations. This represents an important step towards digital asset tax compliance, as… Read More

PSR Updates on App Scam Protections, Adjusts Reimbursement Limit

The UK Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has updated the status of APP scam protections. APP scams incorporate digital fraud, where users of financial or transactional Apps send money to bogus sites or fraudsters.  The PSR says that in 2023, there were over 250,000 cases of… Read More

ESG Failure: House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation Tackles Controversial ESG Realm

The House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, part of the House Financial Services Committee, has  scheduled a hearing entitled ” The Fall of ESG: Scrutinizing the Failed Use of Environmental, Social, & Governance Standards and the Influence of Proxy Advisors.” The hearing was initially scheduled for this past July… Read More

House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Fintech Schedules Meeting on DeFi

The House Financial Services Committee, Subcommittees on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion & Oversight and Investigations, has scheduled a meeting on DeFi. Entitled “Decoding DeFi: Breaking Down the Future of Decentralized Finance, the hearing was previously scheduled for July and then postponed. The hearing… Read More

Galois Capital Pays $225,000 Penalty After SEC Charges Crypto Firm for Custody Failures

The Securities and Exchange Commission has settled charges with Galois Capital Management LLC pertiainging to allegations for shortcomings in crypto custody. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Galois Capital consented to the entry of an order requiring it to cease and desist from further violations… Read More

OpenSea Receives Wells Notice from SEC. NFTs Could Be Securities

OpenSea, a leading NFT [non-fungible token] platform, has received a Wells Notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A Wells Notice indicates that the SEC is recommending that the Commission pursue enforcement action against the target firm. While not conclusive, it is highly likely… Read More

Chainalysis Crypto Crime Update: China based CSAM and Cybercrime Networks On The Rise, Pig Butchering Scams Still Lucrative

Chainalysis has release the report entitled, 2024 Crypto Crime Mid-year Update Part 2: China-based CSAM and Cybercrime Networks On The Rise, Pig Butchering Scams Remain Lucrative. Key findings of the Chainalysis update: CSAM networks Reportings of China-based CSAM sites have increased since late 2023. A… Read More

Qatar Financial Centre Introduces Latest QFC Digital Assets Framework

In line with the Third Financial Sector Strategy issued by Qatar Central Bank, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) and Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) have announced the launch of the QFC Digital Assets Framework, a comprehensive and innovative regime for the creation and… Read More

HKMA Takes Action Against WeChat Pay for Failing AML Standards

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced the conclusion of an investigation and subsequent disciplinary proceedings against WeChat Pay Hong Kong Limited (WPHK), resulting in a fine of HK$875,000 ($112,000). The penalty is imposed for violations under the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance… Read More

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