In a speech before the Aspen Security Forum on August 3, 2021, Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) Chair Gary Gensler urged lawmakers to provide him with the power to police cryptocurrency trading,...more
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) recently issued a stark reminder to regulated persons that it will pursue enforcement actions if they prevent whistleblowers from communicating with the SEC or...more
Bank Offers Ether-Backed Loans, Auction and Property Sales Accept Crypto - Digital asset bank Anchorage recently announced that its institutional clients will now be able to obtain Ethereum-backed loans through the bank’s...more
Market Actors Continue to Integrate Cryptocurrency into Payment Systems - According to a press release this week, California-based Silvergate Bank announced that it will become the issuer of Diem USD, a new cryptocurrency...more
5/17/2021
/ Bitcoin ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Digital Currency ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Hackers ,
Investment ,
Investors ,
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) ,
Payment Systems ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Virtual Currency
On April 14, 2021, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Gary Gensler as the 33rd Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”). This change will bring forth a Democratic majority at the...more
4/16/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
CFTC ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Dodd-Frank ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Fraud ,
FSOC ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs)
Crypto Firms Expand CBDC and Custody Initiatives, GSA Auctions Bitcoin - Ripple Labs recently released a white paper describing its XRP cryptocurrency as a way to link different central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The...more
3/29/2021
/ Bitcoin ,
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDCs) ,
CFTC ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Digital Currency ,
Enforcement Actions ,
ETFs ,
Financial Markets ,
Popular ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Virtual Currency
Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Financial Firms Announce Market Developments. Last week, Coinbase signified its intent to become a publicly traded company by announcing a proposed direct listing of its Class A common stock under...more
NY DFS Approves New Stablecoin Company, Crypto Financial Products Continue Growth - New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) recently granted a charter under New York Banking Law to a Japanese cryptocurrency firm...more
1/11/2021
/ Bitcoin ,
Blockchain ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Digital Currency ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Financial Products ,
FinCEN ,
Fraud ,
NYDFS ,
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) ,
Popular ,
Stablecoins ,
Virtual Currency
On Oct. 8 and 9, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) presented its annual program, The SEC Speaks in 2020. The Commission touted its virtual enforcement results, particularly in Chairman...more
On Sept. 23, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or Commission) adopted amendments to the rules that govern its whistleblower program in a 3-2 vote. Since the program’s inception 10 years ago, original...more
Blockchain Solutions Announced in Auto, Shipping, Medical and Aid Sectors - A prominent German automotive manufacturer announced this week that it has begun testing the use of blockchain technology for the company to monetize...more
On June 22, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision in Liu v. Securities and Exchange Commission, which found that disgorgement awards that do not exceed a wrongdoer’s net profits (gross profits...more
7/2/2020
/ 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(5) ,
Administrative Authority ,
Business Expenses ,
Calculation of Damages ,
Corporate Misconduct ,
Disgorgement ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Equitable Relief ,
Kokesh v SEC ,
Lack of Authority ,
Liu v Securities and Exchange Commission ,
Net Profits ,
Remedies ,
SCOTUS ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Last week, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed its brief in Liu v. SEC, claiming that disgorgement in federal courts is within its statutory authority and that the U.S. Supreme Court should not disrupt...more