Politics, Legal & Regulation

July 14, 2024 @ 7:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Elliptic, a provider of crypto compliance solutions, is working with VASPnet, the “assured” source of regulatory reference data on virtual asset service providers (VASPs), to integrate real-time, high-quality data on the regulatory status of VASPs into its product offering. Sourced directly from 92 regulators in… Read More

July 14, 2024 @ 7:10 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has recently issued an amendment to its October 7, 2020, Cease and Desist Order against Citibank, N.A, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, related “to deficiencies in enterprise-wide risk management, compliance risk management, data governance, and internal controls… Read More

July 14, 2024 @ 5:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Due to the increasing reporting requirements of the EMIR REFIT, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has issued a survey to assess financial entities’ level of preparedness ahead of the changes coming into force, which “will see the number of reporting fields increasing significantly from… Read More

July 13, 2024 @ 11:06 am By Omar Faridi  |  

While public blockchains are inherently transparent and traceable, illicit actors turn to cryptocurrencies “to launder ill-gotten gains for the same reasons people use them for legitimate purposes: they are cross-border, virtually instant, and generally inexpensive to transact,” the team at Chainalysis noted in a blog… Read More

July 12, 2024 @ 7:54 pm By JD Alois  |  

This past week, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) posted updated rules designed to encourage more public share listings in the UK. The “overhaul” of the rules are part of a broader push to ensure and grow the UK’s status of a leading global financial… Read More

July 12, 2024 @ 12:10 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission, Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC), will meet on July 30th to discuss the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. The SBIC program is managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). SBICs are privately owned and managed funds… Read More

July 12, 2024 @ 9:58 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto exchange Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have been clashing with each other during the last few weeks on Coinbase’s subpoena requesting for SEC Chairman Gary Gensler’s personal communicatons and other details from a period prior to him being appointed… Read More

July 11, 2024 @ 3:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has ramped up its name and shame approach to scofflaws who allegedly commit financial services crimes. While in the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission, has long publicly posted their enforcement actions this is not as common in the UK…. Read More

July 11, 2024 @ 10:01 am By JD Alois  |  

The new Labour government is expected to “embrace” the UK Fintech industry. The UK has long been a top global financial services sector, and support of Fintech is key to growth and ongoing relevance. According to a report in CityAM, the new Chancellor of the… Read More

July 11, 2024 @ 8:16 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Global cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX has pleaded guilty to a Bank Secrecy Act offense, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ). BitMEX willfully “flouted” U.S. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws, claims the DOJ. Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York,… Read More

July 10, 2024 @ 4:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Patrick McHenry took to the floor of the House today to criticize the actions of President Joe Biden regarding his veto of HJ Res. 109 as well as the inability of FIT21 – digital asset legislation – to become law. McHenry noted that HJ… Read More

July 10, 2024 @ 3:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) updated its website. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler said the “changes will benefit investors, issuers, and the broader public.” “I’m pleased that these updates will improve our website’s compliance with federal standards.” While you will probably always have to hunt… Read More

July 9, 2024 @ 10:50 am By JD Alois  |  

In her first speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced a new National Wealth Fund with an objective to invest in “new and growing industries.” The fund is also expected to “catalyse private sector investment.” It has been reported this new fund will be funded with £7.3 billion. At the… Read More

July 8, 2024 @ 6:18 pm By JD Alois  |  

Beyond some of the most vocal policies currently being promoted by former President Donald Trump, the 2024 GOP platform promises to “Make America Great Again” while supporting innovation in the US. As part of the innovation initiative, crypto gets a shout-out—something diametrically opposed to the… Read More

July 8, 2024 @ 3:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

SoLo Funds, a peer to peer lender, has settled allegations brought by the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. In a public statement, the AG claimed that Solo Funds “deceptively led borrowers to belive they were receiving interest free loans.” Allegedly, the loans actually incorporated “outrageously inflated… Read More

July 8, 2024 @ 3:32 pm By JD Alois  |  

Multiple US Senators and House Representatives joined recently to issue an Amicus Brief challenging the Securities and Exchange Commission’s attempt to establish climate rules in regard to reporting firms. The Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN), a non-profit that advocates on behalf of investors and entrepreneurs, … Read More

July 8, 2024 @ 2:40 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Technology Association (FTA) has published a policy brief on the issues the association is focusing on to advance innovations in financial services. The FTA represents many different types of Fintechs with names like PayPal, Stripe, Wise, Chime, and other well-known names on the… Read More

July 8, 2024 @ 10:46 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Chainalysis has been sharing detailed insights on issues related to MiCA’s Stablecoin Regime and its remaining challenges. Despite the extensive work by the EBA and ESMA, in close cooperation with national regulators, Chainalysis points out that MiCA still leaves “some room for interpretation and uncertainty,… Read More

July 7, 2024 @ 8:56 am By Michael Wong  |  

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has vetoed House Bill 690 (HB 690), which sought to prohibit the state from using or participating in the testing of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) conducted by the Federal Reserve, according to reports. The bill, titled “An act to… Read More

July 6, 2024 @ 1:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

UK’s PensionBee, an online pension provider, has officially responded to the 2024 General Election result. Becky O’Connor, Director of Public Affairs at PensionBee, commented: “Today, we welcome a new government, and as they take office, we anticipate significant advancements in several key areas of pension… Read More