Politics, Legal & Regulation

Policy and regulations impacting innovations in Finance.

Expanding Access to Capital Act (HR 2799) Goes to a House Floor Vote This Week

The Expanding Access to Capital Act (HR 2799) will go to a floor vote this week. If approved, the legislation will then make its way to the Senate for potential approval. The bill is sponsored by Congressman Patrick McHenry, Chairman of the House Financial Services… Read More

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt to Reveal Spring Budget, Fintechs Share Opinions

Tomorrow (March 6, 2024), the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will reveal the Spring Budget. Will there be tax cuts? Will ISAs be expanded?  Will the inheritance tax go away? We will know soon enough. As there is an election looming, you can expect… Read More

EuroCrowd Announces Partnership with Italian Startup Association InnovUP

EuroCrowd, the pan-European assocation that represents investment crowdfunding platforms across the continent, has announced a partnership with InnovUP,  or the Italian Innovation & Startup Ecosystem association. According to a note from EuroCrowd, the partnership means that EuroCrowd will help represent Italian platforms. This is said… Read More

The Small Business Investor Alliance Strongly Supports Expansion of Accredited Investor Definition

Last week the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Access Committee met and one of the topics reviewed was the definition of an Accredited Investor. Once again, the Committee determined that the current definition is too restrictive, voting on expanding the definition to make it more… Read More

American Fintech Council’s Goldfeder Speaks Out on Maryland and Minnesota Proposals, Reintroduction of Financial Services Innovation Act

The American Fintech Council (AFC) last week spoke about proposed legislation in Maryland and Minnesota, while CEO Phil Goldfeder also commented on the reintroduction of the Financial Services Innovation Act. The week began with the AFC supporting the Maryland Commercial Financing – Small Business Truth… Read More

Former COO of Wirecard Jan Marsalek Was a Russian Spy, Now Lives in Russia

A payments provider and once one of the most successful Fintechs in Germany, Wirecard collapsed into a pile of allegations of fraud and misconduct. Wirecard, at one time part of the DAX and valued in the billions of dollars, became a huge embarrassment for regulators… Read More

UK to Freeze Criminal Crypto Assets Starting April 2024

The United Kingdom has taken a decisive step by introducing new legislation aimed at curbing the use of cryptocurrencies in criminal activities. Set to take effect on April 26, 2024, the updated Statutory Instrument under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 grants law… Read More

Fintech Firm Chime to Pay $2.5M Fine Linked to Customer Complaints During COVID Outbreak

The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) announced that it has entered into a consent order with San Francisco-based Chime Financial, Inc.. The order, which includes “a $2.5 million penalty, resolves DFPI’s investigation regarding the accuracy and responsiveness of Chime’s handling of customer… Read More

HashKey Obtains In-Principle Approval from MAS for Major Payment Institution License Application

HashKey Technology Services Pte. Ltd., the over-the-counter trading arm of HashKey Group, has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore for its Major Payment Institution licence application to provide digital payment token services. The in-principle approval from the MAS, which is described as… Read More

Senator Tim Scott Wants Capital Markets to be More Inclusive, Expand Definition of an Accredited Investor, Make the SEC More Accountable

Senator Tim Scott, the ranking member on the Senate Banking Committee, wants to make the capital markets more inclusive. In a recent op-ed, Senator Scott said his new Empowering Main Street in America Act framework would “enhance financial education programs to increase market understanding and participation,… Read More

NYDFS Superintendent Harris Secures Commitment from Gemini Trust Company to Return At Least $1.1B to Earn Program Clients

New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris announced that Gemini Trust Company, LLC has committed to return at least $1.1 billion to Gemini Earn Program customers through the Genesis Global Capital, LLC  bankruptcy proceeding. In furtherance of that commitment, Gemini… Read More

House Financial Services Committee is Investigating the FDIC Regarding Allegations of “Misconduct”

The House Financial Services Committee has announced that it is investigating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in regard to allegations of “misconduct.” The Committee does not outline exactly what types of misconduct may be occurring but references reports of widespread malfeasance.   🚨 CALLING… Read More

Congressman Patrick McHenry Reintroduces the Financial Services Innovation Act

Congressman Patrick McHenry, the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has reintroduced the Financial Services Innovation Act. The legislation was previously introduced by McHenry but did not garner sufficient traction to move to the House floor for a vote. This bill aims to establish… Read More

SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee to Tell Commission Don’t Raise Accredited Investor Wealth Hurdles, Seeks to Make Definition More Inclusive

Yesterday (February 27, 2024), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (SBCFAC), met to discuss several issues of importance that impact early-stage firms. Perhaps the most pressing issue is the definition of an Accredited Investor – a rule the Commission… Read More

UK Financial Conduct Authority Promotes the Benefits of Savers Switching to Higher Savings Rates

UK consumers can take advantage of savings rates of more than 5%, yet some remain stuck at financial institutions that offer far lower returns. After publicly chastising firms that fail to pass on higher rates to savers, the UK Financial Conduct Authority is now launching… Read More

UK Financial Conduct Authority AIms to Provide More Transparency, Speed in Enforcement Cases

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says that going forward, it will strive to provide more transparency in enforcement cases. At the same time, enforcement cases are expected to be resolved more rapidly. For cases where “no outcomes are achievable,” these will be closed more… Read More

European Union Adopts Instant Payments Regulatory Guidelines

The European Council reportedly adopted a regulation that will make instant payments fully available in euro to consumers and businesses in the EU and in EEA countries. The new rules will improve the strategic autonomy of the European economic and financial sector as they will… Read More

SEC Investor Advisory Committee Schedules Meeting for March, Payment for Order Flow on the Agenda

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Investor Advisory Committee (IAC), has scheduled its next meeting to take place on March 7th. One of four advisory committees, the IAC aims to provide the Commission with advice, and recommendations from the perspective of the investor. Created… Read More

CCAF – Cambridge Suptech Lab: Supervisory Technology (Suptech) Sees Jump in Regulators Pursuing Initiatives

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF),  Cambridge SupTech Lab, has shared a survey on the adoption of Suptech or Supervisory Technology, showing an increase in initiatives.  CCAF and the Lab are both part of the Cambridge Judge Business School. CCAF is the leading global… Read More

Texas Blockchain Council, Riot Platforms Initiate Legal Proceedings Against US Dept of Energy’s Energy Information Administration

The Texas Blockchain Council (TBC) alongside one of its members, Riot Platforms, initiated legal proceedings against the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), challenging “an alleged unprecedented and illegal data collection demand against the bitcoin mining industry.” This legal action underscores the TBC’s… Read More

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