Tagged: sec

Most US Crowdfunding Platforms will Become Broker Dealers and Some May Become ATSs

Any US based cryptocurrency exchange is going to be compelled to become an Alternative Trading System (ATS), a regulated trading platform but not a full blown exchange. They have to do it or else. The Securities and Exchange Commission has been increasing the volume of… Read More

Four Takeaways from SEC Warning that Cryptocurrency Exchanges May Be Unlawful Trading Platforms

On March 7, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a public statement warning that cryptocurrency coin exchanges were possibly operating as unlawful online trading platforms¹.  The SEC staff noted that “many online trading platforms appear to investors as SEC-registered and regulated marketplaces when… Read More

How to Respond to an SEC Subpoena: The Top Ten Tips for Cryptocurrency Entities

  For initial coin offering (ICOs or token offerings, SAFT, etc.) issuers, investors, token holders, and anyone else operating in the cryptocurrency market, the message of recent days is clear: the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has shifted into high gear. News reports indicate that… Read More

Securities and Exchange Commission Issues Statement Regarding “Unlawful” Cryptocurrency Exchanges

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),  Divisions of Enforcement and Trading and Markets, has published a statement on “online trading platforms,” or cryptocurrency exchanges, that trade in tokens minted by initial coin offerings (ICOs) and digital assets in general. The SEC stated: “The platforms often… Read More

The SEC Halts Trading in Another Security that Claims Blockchain Affiliation

Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued another order of trading suspension for a company, HD View 360 (OTC:HDVW) that ostensibly was in talks to “explore and implement” Blockchain technology. The SEC stated: “It appears to the Securities and Exchange Commission that there… Read More

The SEC Goes Hot with ICO Subpoenas but are Regulators “on Shaky Legal Ground?”

The fact the Securities and Exchange Commission has been issuing subpoenas to initial coin offering (ICOs) issuers has been rumored for quite some time. Recently, multiple publications, including Crowdfund Insider, revealed this fact. The SEC has been warning of this sort of activity for many months… Read More

With Regulators Clamping Down on ICOs in the US, Should Issuers Consider Off-Shoring Their Crowdsales?

The environment for initial coin offerings (ICOs) in the US has changed dramatically in the past few months. In July of 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued the DAO report that identified the token offering as a security indicating at least some of the… Read More

WSJ Says “Scores” of Subpoenas Issued by SEC Regarding Initial Coin Offerings

“Scores” of subpoenas are being issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding initial coin offerings (ICOs), according to a brief write up in WSJ.com. The report echos what Crowdfund Insider reported earlier this week as industry insiders have been talking about SEC investigations… Read More

SEC Smacks Down Persistent Alleged Fraudster Steven Muehler Who at One Time Announced a “National Crowdfunding Stock Exchange”

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against Steven J. Muehler, his wife Claudia M. Muehler, his associate Koorosh “Danny” Rahimi and and three companies under control. The SEC enforcement action alleges operating an unregistered broker dealer, facilitating unregistered securities, defrauding small businesses while promising… Read More

Crypto Valley in the Rockies: Wyoming May Become the Switzerland of the US when it comes to Cryptocurrency

Switzerland has become known as a center of excellence for the cryptocurrency industry. In fact, many initial coin offerings (ICO) call Zug, Switzerland home – even if they are not really based there. The Swiss regulators (FINMA) have recognized the emergence of digital currencies as… Read More

Fabio Ciucci Comments on the Way Forward for Cryptocurrency Exchanges as Poloniex Leads the Way

As we reported yesterday, Circle has acquired cryptocurrency exchange Poloniex for $400 million. Not a small sum. But Poloniex has a small issue it must address soon. It is currently operating as an un-licensed securities exchange. Additional information regarding the acquisition surfaced yesterday that indicated… Read More

Additional Info on Circle’s Acquisition of Poloniex Indicates Crypto Exchange will Soon Register as Broker Dealer & ATS

  Circle’s acquisition of cryptocurrency exchange Poloniex was big news today. The combination of the two platforms may create a powerful payments / money transfer / digital currency exchange with a global presence. Simultaneously, questions crocked up about Poloniex’s exchange site that is operating without… Read More

ICO Industry Chatter: Subpoenas are Rolling in from SEC

We have been hearing for some time now that past issuers of initial coin offerings (ICOs) have been receiving subpoenas from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This should come as no surprise to anyone as the SEC has been messaging their concern regarding ICOs… Read More

Moving Forward with Cryptocurrency Regulation in 2018

Two months into 2018, it feels a little like the calm before a regulatory storm in terms of cryptocurrency regulation.  A series of pronouncements and announcements from the SEC toward the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018 gave industry insiders more clarity on what… Read More

SEC Charges Former Crypto Exchange BitFunder and Founder Jonn Montroll with Fraud

  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) swooped in and filed fraud charges against a former Bitcoin-denominated platform and its founder Jon E. Montroll with operating an unregistered securities exchange and defrauding users of that exchange. The SEC added that the operator also made false and… Read More

SEC Halts Trading in Three Companies Claiming Cryptocurrency, Blockchain Affiliations & Possible ICO

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is once again taking action against companies that make specious claims regarding cryptocurrency and Blockchain involvement. The SEC has halted trading in Cherubim Interests Inc. (OTCPink:CHIT), PDX Partners Inc. (OTCPink:PDXP), and Victura Construction Group Inc. (OTCPing:VICT). The halt was… Read More

Lawsuit Against The Crypto Company is Voluntarily Dismissed

The law firm of Pomerantz LLP has announced that the class action lawsuit against The Crypto Company (OTCMKTS:CRCW) and certain of its officers, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, has been voluntarily dismissed. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) halted trading in… Read More

SEC Investor Advisory Committee Scheduled for March 8th

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has scheduled its first meeting for 2018 of the Investor Advisory Committee (IAC). The Committee helps to guide the SEC on initiatives that protect individual investor interests. In practice, this largely means investor protection issues. The upcoming meeting includes… Read More

A Tale of Two Cities: SEC & CFTC Heads Testify Before the Senate Banking Committee

Truly, it was a tale of two cities. On February 6, 2018, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on the oversight role of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in respect of virtual currencies like Bitcoin… Read More

This is the One to Watch: Senate Banking Committee to Hold Hearing on Virtual Currencies. SEC Chair Jay Clayton and CFTC Chair J. Christopher Giancarlo to Testify

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs will be holding a hearing on cryptocurrencies this Tuesday. Entitled, Virtual Currencies: The Oversight Role of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, this will be a Hearing to watch as both… Read More

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