Politics, Legal & Regulation

April 6, 2025 @ 6:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted actions taken to protect consumers from impersonations scams since the Government and Business Impersonation Rule took effect in April 2024. Scams impersonating businesses and government are consistently among the top frauds reported to the FTC; these scams resulted in… Read More

April 6, 2025 @ 5:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a significant development for the US financial services sector, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has given the green light to a $35 billion merger between Capital One Finance Group and Discover Financial Services. The decision, announced this week, marks a pivotal step forward for… Read More

April 6, 2025 @ 5:14 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Kraken has officially obtained a Restricted Dealer registration in Canada, reaffirming its commitment to serving Canadian crypto investors while adhering to “enhanced investor protection guidance for crypto exchanges.” Kraken also welcomes Cynthia Del Pozo as their new General Manager for North America. Cynthia will lead… Read More

April 5, 2025 @ 6:37 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry will present two draft laws — the Royal Decree on Digital Assets and the Royal Decree on Cybercrime Prevention and Suppression — for Cabinet approval on April 8, with expectations that the laws could come into force before… Read More

April 4, 2025 @ 4:59 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Fintech and AI, has scheduled a hearing for April 9, 2025, to discuss tokenization or digital securities. The hearing is entitled: American Innovation and the Future of Digital Assets: Aligning the US Securities Laws for the… Read More

April 4, 2025 @ 4:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Division of Corporate Finance (CorpFin), has issued a statement on stablecoins. During the last administration, the SEC’s position was that pretty much all crypto was deemed to be securities. Bitcoin was an exception, and perhaps Ethereum. Things have changed… Read More

April 4, 2025 @ 12:54 pm By JD Alois  |  

The definition of an Accredited Investor will probably change this year. Currently, an Accredited Investor is someone who earns over $200,000 a year ($300,000 if married) or holds over $1 million in assets, not counting a primary residence. While certain adjustments have been made to… Read More

April 4, 2025 @ 10:47 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, CI shared a number of comments from Fintech executives sharing their opinions on President Donald Trump and his “Liberation Day” tariff policy. The President signed an Executive Order addressing what is described as “structural asymmetries,” which will “no longer be tolerated.” The CEO of… Read More

April 3, 2025 @ 5:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

  Crowdfund Capital Advisors (CCA), founded by individuals who helped to write the JOBS Act of 2012 – the legislation that legalized online capital formation or crowdfunding, has sent a letter to Representative French Hill, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, voicing their support… Read More

April 3, 2025 @ 10:02 am By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday, President Donald Trump outlined his plan to impose tariffs on most of the world. With a few exceptions, just about every country will be impacted by the White House’s decision. Markets reacted as expected, tanking as the anticipation of trade disruptions and price increases… Read More

April 2, 2025 @ 11:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

Following markup, the STABLE Act was approved by the House Financial Services Committee. The legislation provides rules for issuers of stablecoins. The STABLE Act passed through the Committee markup hearing by a vote of 32-17. Representative Bryan Steil thanked Committee Chair French Hill for supporting… Read More

April 2, 2025 @ 7:13 pm By JD Alois  |  

President Donald Trump followed through on his threat of global tariffs today. In a White House garden presentation, the President announced “Liberation Day,” declaring that the US would no longer idly accept tariffs from other nations but would match them instead. Trump declared that these… Read More

April 2, 2025 @ 4:31 pm By JD Alois  |  

President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order (EO) establishing a national Investment Accelerator. The United States Investment Accelerator office is expected to be established within 30 days, led by the Secretary of Commerce, working with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Assistant to… Read More

April 2, 2025 @ 4:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Gemini Trust Co., the crypto exchange founded by billionaire twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, have jointly requested a 60-day pause in their ongoing legal battle to explore a potential resolution. The motion, filed on April 1, 2025,… Read More

April 2, 2025 @ 11:39 am By JD Alois  |  

The Stable Act, legislation designed to clarify the issuance of stablecoins, is in markup today as the House Financial Services Committee seeks to move the bill towards approval. The legislation is bipartisan, having been sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats, including Representatives Hill, Torres, Emmer, Huizenga, Meuser,… Read More

April 2, 2025 @ 10:59 am By JD Alois  |  

Big UK banks and big tech have joined together to commit to battling the ongoing fraud challenge which is impacting the financial services sector. Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide, NatWest, Match Group, Meta, Monzo, Santander, and Three joined in signing a statement to… Read More

April 1, 2025 @ 3:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

Following its first Roundtable, the new SEC Crypto Task Force says it will hold four more meetings to discuss the developing digital asset marketplace. The following gatherings are on the agenda: April 11, 2025 – Between a Block and a Hard Place: Tailoring Regulation for… Read More

April 1, 2025 @ 3:09 pm By JD Alois  |  

During the Gensler administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took a hard turn towards social issues (ESG) and away from its mandate of efficient markets, capital formation, and investor protection. In fact, little or nothing was done to support facilitating capital for both private… Read More

April 1, 2025 @ 8:49 am By JD Alois  |  

After setting an increase in capital gains taxes designed to fill a budget hole, the UK government has adjusted its expectations for an increase in tax revenue, dropping the amount by a whopping £23 billion. Rates are changing, going from 10% to 18% for lower… Read More

March 31, 2025 @ 4:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Technology Association (FTA) has outlined its opinion as to what the House Financial Services Committee should pursue regarding ambitious portfolio off legislation that aims to improve access to capital while enabling access to opportunities for smaller investors. Recently, the Committee held a hearing… Read More