April 18, 2019 @ 10:51 am By JD Alois  |  

The government of Switzerland wants create the very best environment for Fintech, and more importantly distributed ledger technology (DLT) to thrive. The Swiss Federal Council kicked off a consultation last month on the adoption of DLT/Blockchain seeking to “increase legal certainty, remove hurdles for DLT-based… Read More

March 16, 2019 @ 11:01 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has published a consultation on a framework for Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). The SC is one of many financial regulators that are seeking to better understand digital assets while investigating potential regulatory environments to create an effective ecosystem. The SC… Read More

February 27, 2019 @ 7:31 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Treasury of the Australian Government launched a public consultation on the initial coin offering (ICO) marketplace in January and the process closes today (February 28th). The consultation is part of a broader policy initiative to foster innovation in the financial services industry. Like much… Read More

January 23, 2019 @ 8:16 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a consultation today on the emerging “cryptoasset” sector of finance.  The UK is well known for its thoughtful regulatory approach when it comes to innovative new financial services and the final outcome will be watched with interest around… Read More

January 17, 2019 @ 12:19 pm By Cali Haan  |  

Authorities responsible for regulating finance, banking and taxation in South Africa have issued a consultation paper stating that regulation of the cryptocurrency/digital token sector should be enacted forthwith and adjusted to accommodate innovation later: “The IFWG and Crypto Assets Regulatory Working Group is of the… Read More

December 24, 2018 @ 10:18 am By Cali Haan  |  

The Central Bank of Israel is soliciting position papers from the general public regarding how the country should support and regulate domestic cryptocurrency/security token ventures and distributed ledger technology (DLT) for finance in the country. The bank has assembled a team (“The Interministerial Team for Regulatory… Read More

December 18, 2018 @ 3:21 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has initiated a consultation on property crowdfunding. Released last week, the consultation addresses a proposal to add a new subcategory for property investment crowdfunding platforms. The DFSA notes that like many financial services, crowdfunding has evolved. Originally designed to… Read More

December 17, 2018 @ 12:44 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last week, the Swiss Federal Council announced a report on the legal framework for Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for the financial services industry. According to the Council, the Swiss legal framework “is well suited to deal with new technologies including blockchain.” Even while noting… Read More

December 12, 2018 @ 7:13 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a consultation paper, alongside a discussion paper, on patient capital. The consultation is in response to a policy push by HM Treasury to increase investment into long-term assets including venture capital plus private equity, real estate and more…. Read More

December 11, 2018 @ 2:15 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched a public consultation today seeking feedback on “crypto-asset mechanics” including Ethereum (Ether) and Bitcoin. The CFTC said the consultation will better inform the Commission’s understanding of the markets for virtual currencies. In a Request for Information (RFI) the CFTC… Read More

November 8, 2018 @ 10:48 am By JD Alois  |  

Last month, BaFin, Germany’s security regulator, launched a public consultation on the subject of virtual currencies (or crypto). The regulator has published a draft circular regarding sector due diligence. The BaFin circular seeks a reasonable and risk-oriented approach to virtual currency. The proposed circular addresses credit, financial services, payments and e-money… Read More

August 28, 2018 @ 7:31 am By JD Alois  |  

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has launched a consultation pertaining to Fintech. Switzerland has pursued innovations in finance as beneficial to their banking centric economy. The alpine nation has become prominent in the crypto or initial coin offering sector as many early stage… Read More

August 8, 2018 @ 8:00 am By JD Alois  |  

  FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) has issued a consultation on Financial Technology or Fintech and the Broker Dealer industry. The Special Notice was published at the end of July and is seeking comments until October 12, 2018. FINRA currently has over 3700 member firms… Read More

August 7, 2018 @ 10:09 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has initiated a new consultation that is going beyond the UK borders when it comes to Fintech innovation. Announced today, the FCA has created the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN). The multinational group includes regulatory agencies from the US,… Read More

June 6, 2018 @ 11:00 am By JD Alois  |  

The Bank of England has launched a six week consultation to adopt a common global language on payments known as ISO 20022. The Bank notes that existing standards are fragmented and inconsistent thus complicating the important aspect of the financial industry. By creating a standard,… Read More

April 30, 2018 @ 12:33 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has published a consultation paper proposing a regulatory framework for digital assets. The document outlines rules for spot market activity, including exchanges and other intermediaries to be regulated by ADGM. “As the recognised… Read More

April 14, 2018 @ 1:28 pm By JD Alois  |  

Malta, a Mediterranean country that wants be known as Blockchain Island, has published a “Financial Instrument Test” as it seeks to clarify questions regarding initial coin offerings (ICOs) and when a digital asset is a security and when it is not. The Malta Financial Services… Read More

February 26, 2018 @ 4:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

The European Commission has launched a consultation as to how to better define a Small and Mid-sized Enterprise – commonly referenced as an SME. This definition is important as it can be used as a basis for policy decisions.  SMEs are the engines of economic… Read More

February 22, 2018 @ 4:10 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Autorité Des Marchés Financiers (AMF) in France has just published the results of a consultation regarding initial coin offerings (ICOs). According to the AMF, a large majority of respondents expressed support for the establishment of an appropriate legal framework for this new type of fundraising. The… Read More

February 14, 2018 @ 2:39 pm By JD Alois  |  

The British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) has published a notice on Fintech. This notice is designed to help “set out the results of the consultations and seek comment on potential regulatory action to clarify or modernize securities laws to benefit all stakeholders, including investors in… Read More