The global fintech industry finds itself experiencing a sea change. The US seems on the cusp of regulatory changes, as the Securities and Exchange Commission shifts its attitude toward digital assets under a new...more
On 29 April, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled draft legislation aimed at regulating cryptoassets at the International Fintech Growth Summit (IFGS) in London, sponsored by Latham & Watkins.
The proposed legislation...more
A recent statutory instrument aims to remove legal uncertainty surrounding crypto staking and ease blockchain operations.
On 9 January 2025, the UK Government published the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000...more
The NPV aims to promote growth and international competitiveness by advancing open banking, re-evaluating the approach to regulating the sector, and continuing the fight against fraud....more
Proposed rule would be implemented by statute and would give primacy to parties’ choice of governing law and jurisdiction.
There is at least a tentative consensus in English law that cryptocurrencies and other digital...more
Professional investors will benefit from increased exposure to cryptoassets via traditional financial instruments, though retail investors’ exposure remains limited.
In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, regulatory...more
The Legal Statement applies areas of insolvency law to digital assets, providing valuable guidance on the approach English courts will take.
In October 2023, the UK’s Jurisdiction Taskforce (UKJT), which is made up of...more
A new publication from the UK’s financial regulator signals to firms that they should take steps to manage risks in the use of AI.
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its latest board minutes...more
Regulator clarifies that existing FCA rules will continue to apply but will also reflect the evolving landscape of financial promotions on social media.
On 17 July 2023, the FCA published a guidance consultation (GC23/2)...more
7/21/2023
/ Affiliates ,
Comment Period ,
Consultation ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Promotions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Guidance Update ,
High Risk Financial Products ,
Influencers ,
Marketing ,
Retail Investors ,
Social Media ,
UK
The global central bank cooperative body would bring stablecoins within the international standards for payment, clearing, and settlement systems....more
8/2/2022
/ AML/CFT ,
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ,
Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructure (CPMI) ,
EU ,
Final Guidance ,
Financial Markets ,
Financial Stability Board ,
Hong Kong ,
Information Reports ,
IOSCO ,
Japan ,
Payment Systems ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Risk Management ,
Stablecoins ,
UK
Assertive regulators are bringing greater clarity and new challenges as they step up oversight of fintech innovation.
As the fast-growing fintech industry thrives, the sector has begun to attract greater regulatory...more
UK Finance, The Payments Association, and Latham & Watkins have published UK Payments Regulation Review: Making sense of where to go now, a new report examining regulation of the UK’s payments industry and its impact on the...more
HM Treasury has confirmed that it will bring certain unregulated cryptoassets within scope of the financial promotions regime.
On 18 January 2022, the UK government confirmed its intention to bring the promotion of certain...more
1/20/2022
/ Consultation ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Promotions ,
HM Treasury ,
Proposed Amendments ,
Proposed Regulation ,
UK
Beyond creative works and consumer products, NFTs open up new avenues for IP monetisation in the technology, life sciences, and pharmaceutical industries.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), one-of-a-kind cryptoassets stored on...more
6/25/2021
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
Blockchain ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
EU ,
Know Your Customers ,
Life Sciences ,
MiFID ,
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) ,
Technology Sector ,
Token Sales ,
UK
A report from the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform provides recommendations for how the UK can “re-imagine” its approach to regulation post-Brexit.
On 16 June 2021, the Taskforce on Innovation,...more
6/17/2021
/ Banking Sector ,
Counterparties ,
Digital Currency ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinTech ,
Information Reports ,
MiFID II ,
Open Banking ,
Packaged Retail And Insurance-Based Investment Products (PRIIPS) ,
Retail Banks ,
UK ,
UK Brexit
Proposed changes to the UK Listing Rules would allow certain SPACs to avoid a listing suspension.
Key Points:
..The FCA is proposing to amend its rules so that SPACs meeting certain conditions and disclosure...more
Latest FCA consultation focuses on remuneration, risk management and governance, and liquidity requirements.
Key Points:
The consultation:
..Sets out the FCA’s proposals for the new remuneration rules for FCA...more
4/21/2021
/ Consultation ,
Corporate Governance ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Investment Adviser ,
Investment Firms ,
Liquidity ,
MiFID ,
Prudential Standards ,
Remuneration ,
Risk Management ,
Senior Management Regime (SMR) ,
UCITS ,
UK
The Woolard Review emphasises the urgency to bring all BNPL products under FCA supervision and sets out recommendations for the unsecured credit market.
The UK government has announced that interest-free buy-now-pay-later...more
The PRA has released a largely positive report, along with nine follow-up actions and recommendations on the SMCR for PRA-regulated firms.
Key Points:
..There is no need for major changes to the SMCR.
..There are...more
The FCA, Bank of England, and PRA have published updated rules for firms post-Brexit and intend to delay many (but not all) onshoring changes.
Key Points:
..The FCA has published an updated version of the FCA Handbook,...more
10/20/2020
/ Bank of England ,
Cross-Border Transactions ,
Dear CEO Letter ,
EU ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Onshoring ,
Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) ,
Time Extensions ,
Transitional Arrangements ,
UK ,
UK Brexit
Elisabeth Stheeman of the Financial Policy Committee outlined the new frameworks for building operational resilience against cyber risks and protection of payment chains.
On 9 September 2020, Elisabeth Stheeman, an...more
Andrew Bailey outlined what payments market participants can expect from regulators seeking to address financial stability risk in the world of payments, including as part of the rise and adoption of global stablecoins.
On...more
The additional temporary guidance aims to strengthen the arrangements for safeguarding customers’ funds and firms’ prudential risk management in light of the impact of COVID-19.
On 9 July 2020, the FCA published its...more
HM Treasury is planning significant changes to the financial promotion regime, including expanding its scope to certain cryptoassets, and amending the approval process for promotions of unauthorised firms.
On 20 July 2020,...more
The Fintech Strategic Review aims to ensure the ongoing growth and success of UK fintech as a world leader in financial innovation.
On 20 July 2020, HM Treasury announced the launch of an independent review into the UK’s...more