Tagged: securities and exchange commission

Senator Elizabeth Warren Tells SEC Chairman Gary Gensler That Crypto Exchanges are Undermining the SEC’s Mission

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has sent a letter to SEC Chairman Gary Gensler telling the securities regulator that crypto exchanges may be undermining the SEC’s mission of basic investor protections. Gensler, for his part, has publicly worried that crypto… Read More

SEC Hits JPM Subsidiary With $2.75M Fine

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today announced JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) subsidiary Neovest, Inc. has agreed to pay a $2.75 million fine for failing to register as a broker-dealer in violation of federal securities laws. This is the first time the agency has… Read More

Securities Expert Concerned that SEC Agenda Could Hobble Capital Formation for Early Stage Firms

Earlier this month, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shared its regulatory agenda for the next couple of years. The list is quite long and includes many areas of the securities industry. At the top of the list, was the exempt offering ecosystem with the… Read More

SEC v. Ripple: Implications of Ripple’s Fair Notice Defense

In December 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a complaint in a New York federal court against Ripple Labs, Inc. and two of its executives alleging that Ripple had sold $1.3 billion in XRP cryptocurrency tokens in a series of unregistered securities offerings…. Read More

SEC Fines Real Estate Firm for Lax Disclosure Practices

A real estate settlement services company has run afoul of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for not properly acting on security vulnerabilities when first aware of them. On June 15 the SEC said they have settled charges against First American Corporation for disclosure controls… Read More

Doug Ellenoff: Investment Crowdfunding Will Challenge Traditional Venture Capital

The US investment crowdfunding industry received a boost this year as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adjusted the securities exemptions that platforms and issuers utilize to raise growth capital online. Along with other improvements, key changes include the adjustment of Reg CF (Regulation Crowdfunding)… Read More

Florida Dentist Caught Up in SEC Enforcement Action Including Tokenized Securities

Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a complaint alleging that Edgar M. Radjabli, of Boca Raton, Florida, and for engaging in securities frauds that involved the offering of a digital asset – Apis Tokens. According to the SEC complaint, Radjabli – who… Read More

SEC Outlines Regulatory Agenda, Exempt Securities Top the List Including Reg D, Accredited Investor Definition

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has outlined its regulatory agenda for the coming months and at the top of the list are exempt securities that include Reg D and perhaps other exemptions such as Reg CF and Reg A+. Of note, is that the… Read More

Crypto Lending Promoters Slammed as SEC Alleges Sale of Unregistered Digital Securities Offerings of $2 Billion

Digital asset exchange BitConnect is the most recent crypto marketplace to gain the scrutiny of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement. In a public statement, the SEC announced an enforcement action against five individuals alleging the promotion of a global unregistered digital asset… Read More

US Regulators Warn that Bitcoin, Other Cryptocurrencies Pose Significant Financial Stability Risk

US Federal Reserve Chief Jerome Powell recently noted that cryptocurrencies pose significant risks to financial stability. Powell stated on Thursday (May 20, 2021) that greater regulation of crypto assets may be necessary. As reported by Reuters, the US Treasury Department cited concerns about wealthy people… Read More

Mike Cagney from Figure Technologies Says their Blockchain Enabled Provenance Platform can Open Up Universe of Security Tokens

Figure Securities, a division of the digital lending service provider Figure Technologies, has reportedly acquired approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to serve as a broker-dealer and also operate as an SEC-registered Alternative Trading System for digital securities that are custodied on… Read More

SEC Cautions Investors in Funds that Bet on Bitcoin Futures

The Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Investment Management (IM) has issued a staff statement cautioning investors who purchase shares in mutual funds that have exposure to Bitcoin futures. According to the Staff statement, investors should understand that Bitcoin is a highly speculative investment and… Read More

Global Digital Finance Issues Statement in Support of Eliminate Barriers to Digital Innovation Act Sponsored by US Representatives Patrick McHenry

Global Digital Finance (GDF), a UK-based entity advocating on behalf of the digital asset (or crypto-asset) sector of Fintech, has posted a letter in support of the Eliminate Barriers to Digital Innovation Act of 2021 (HR 1602). The Act was sponsored by US Representative Patrick… Read More

GameStopped Hearing Part III: What’s Next for Policymakers?

Today was the 3rd, and perhaps final, hearing held by the House Committee on Financial Services regarding the GameStop (NYSE:GME) sage regarding short selling by traders chatting on Reddit. As most people are aware, investors on subreddits like Wallstreetbets, combined to drive the value of… Read More

SEC Commissioner Peirce Touts Ways to Improve Access to Capital Including Clarity Regarding Finders, an Update to Accredited Investors and a Micro-Exemption

Earlier today the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee held a meeting on facilitating access to capital to underserved segments of the country. As most people understand, small businesses and entrepreneurs drive the majority of job growth and wealth creation. While policies that encourage… Read More

SEC Director of Enforcement Alex Oh Resigns a Week After Being Appointed

A mere week after being announced as the new Director of the Division of Enforcement, Alex Oh has resigned for personal reasons, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Reportedly, Oh resigned due to a complication from a case that occurred while in private… Read More

Sellers Beware: Can NFTs Be Regulated Securities?

The sudden prevalence of Non-Fungible Tokens has raised important legal considerations for issuers and purchasers alike. While intellectual property rights remain essential, securities laws should not be overlooked. Non-Fungible Tokens, or “NFTs”, are digital assets with unique identifying characteristics that distinguish one from another.  Unlike… Read More

Finders: Is the SEC Finally Ready to Clarify this Cloudy Issue for Startups and Other Private Companies?

  In an effort to address an issue that has frustrated the business community for years, including startups, tech companies, and “finders,” the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published a proposed conditional exemption for finders on October 7, 2020. Under the proposal, people (i.e.,… Read More

Gary Gensler Approved by Senate as Chairman of the SEC

In a floor vote yesterday, the US Senate approved the selection of Gary Gensler as the next Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The current SEC Commissioners joined in welcoming the new Chair stating: “A warm congratulations to Gary Gensler on his Senate confirmation… Read More

SEC Commissioner Peirce Pitches Token Safe Harbor Proposal Version 2.0

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has posted an update to her Token Safe Habor proposal. Back in February 2020, Commissioner Peirce revealed her proposal in an effort to create a regulatory environment that supported Fintech innovation while acknowledging the unique characteristics of digital assets. Since the… Read More

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