Politics, Legal & Regulation

Policy and regulations impacting innovations in Finance.

Private International Law Issues Relating to Digital Tokens Examined in Extensive Research Study

The new HCCH Project focused on an extensive study of digital tokens. After the conclusion and decision at its 2024 meeting by the governing body of the HCCH, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP), the Permanent Bureau has recently begun its work that… Read More

Terraform Labs Loses Mistrial Bid, US Civil Trial Begins

Manhattan US District Court Judge Jed S. Rakoff has given a major blow to Terraform Labs and its founder Do Kwon. Recently, Judge Rakoff dismissed a mistrial bid that was reportedly related to disclosures regarding the Terraform’s alleged deception. The notable decision was announced during… Read More

UK’s HM Treasury May Update AML and CFT Framework, New Rules Could Apply to NFTs

The UK’s HM Treasury is reportedly considering or looking into possibly making changes to its existing Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AMLCFT) framework. This may potentially mean that service providers of non-fungible token (NFT) trading platforms could get added within the applicable regulatory framework. At… Read More

Internet Investment Advisors Now Required to Register with the SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has amended existing rules to require internet investment advisers to register with the Commission. According to the SEC’s Fact Sheet, the amendments will: Require an adviser that relies upon the internet adviser exemption to provide investment advice to all… Read More

US Judge Says Coinbase Will Have to Face SEC’s Lawsuit

Digital asset firm Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) will have to face the Securities and Exchange Commmission’s (SEC) lawsuit, a Judge has recently ruled. A federal judge in Manhattan on Wednesday (March 27, 2024) stated that the US SEC’s lawsuit against Coinbase may proceed. However, the presiding judge… Read More

FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and former CEO of FTX, once a top crypto exchange, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. The maximum sentence was 110 years. Bankman-Fried was found guilty of seven counts of fraud and conspiracy in a criminal lawsuit that rocked… Read More

Fintech Wise Comments on CFPBs Pursuit of Junk Fees Pertaining to Global Transfers: Price Transparency Counts

Yesterday, CI reported on a new circular issued by the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) warning international transfer firms to stop adding “junk fees” to the transfers and demanding greater transparency in the process. Misinformation in the industry is frequent, and some providers abuse… Read More

CFPB Targets Global Money Transfers and “Junk Fees”

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is now targeting international money transfers and “junk fees” that may be saddled upon users. The CFPB issued a warning to firms that provide these services regarding allegations of false claims and misinformation about the cost of transfers and… Read More

UK FCA Cautions “Finfluencers” : Keep Social Media Promotions Legal

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning to “Finfluencers” individuals who use social media to promote financial services. While influencers may be a popular source of information, few of these individuals actually have any notable experience within the financial services industry. Yet… Read More

House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees Demands the SEC Clarify Treatment of Ether (ETH). Is it a Security?

Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Committee on Agriculture are demanding that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) clarify whether Ether (ETH—Ethereum) is a security or something else. In recent years, the SEC has publicly stated ETH is not a security…. Read More

Turf War? CFTC Describes Several Digital Assets as Commodities, Not as Securities in Case Against KuCoin

Earlier today, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) revealed an enforcement action against KuCoin, one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world. While KuCoin is based outside the US and apparently does not provide services to US users, the CFTC claims that the technology… Read More

US Treasury Department Designates Russian Firms Supporting Sanctions Evasion via Virtual Asset Services and Tech Procurement

The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned thirteen entities and two individuals for operating in the financial services and technology sectors of the Russian Federation economy “including persons developing or offering services in virtual assets that enable the evasion of… Read More

KuCoin Charged with Operating an Unlicensed Crypto Derivatives Exchange, Criminal Charges Filed as Well

KuCoin has been hit with charges alleging the operation of an unlicensed crypto or digital asset derivatives exchange. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed the civil enforcement action in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The CFTC charged Mek… Read More

FDIC Seeks Feedback on Suggested Revisions to Statement of Policy on Bank Merger Transactions

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors today approved a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the agency’s Statement of Policy (revised SOP) on Bank Merger Transactions. Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg said: “This proposed Statement of Policy would update,… Read More

Regulatory Pressure in the UK Intensifies Around Governance, Financial Resilience for Financial Services Firms – Report

KPMG UK launches the fourth edition of its Financial Services Regulatory Barometer, providing a biannual measure of the regulatory pressure faced by financial services firms in the UK and EU. The latest aggregate Regulatory Impact Score “stands at 7.3 (out of 10), up from 7.2… Read More

Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Vendetta Against Elon Musk Continues as She Tells SEC Tesla May Have Violated Securities Law

Senator Elizabeth Warren is on the warpath once again, taking aim at one of her favorite targets: Elon Musk. In a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Senator Warren tells SEC Chairman Gary Gensler that Musk and Tesla’s Board of Directors “may… Read More

Coinbase Introduces Option for Travel Rule Universal Solution Technology (TRUST)

Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) is pleased to announce the introduction of a new, no-fee membership option for the Travel Rule Universal Solution Technology (TRUST) – the global, industry-driven Travel Rule solution that prioritizes customer security and privacy. TRUST is the world’s Travel Rule solution, born out of… Read More

FTX’s CEO Says Sam Bankman-Fried’s Deception Continues Even After Fraud Conviction

FTX’s Chief Executive Officer has said that Sam Bankman-Fried’s deception has not ended even with his unprecedented fraud conviction. As part of an extensive victim impact statement submitted Wednesday (March 20, 2024) prior to SBF’s sentencing this upcoming week, FTX CEO John Ray states that… Read More

The SEC “Does an Increasingly Ineffective Job”: Securities Policy Expert Hammers Commission at House Hearing

Yesterday, the House Financial Services Committee, Capital Markets Subcommittee held a hearing on the alleged overreach of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the need for reform. The current Commission, under the leadership of Chairman Gary Gensler, has been criticized by many policymakers as… Read More

Congressman Patrick McHenry Claims SEC Will Soon Declare Ethereum a Security

It was not too long ago that the Securities and Exchange Commission determined Ethereum (ETH) NOT to be a security. But times change, and new leaders take over. In this case, it is the Chairman of the SEC, Gary Gensler. According to an X distributed… Read More

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