Cryptocurrency, with its anonymity and decentralization, has revolutionized financial transactions. However, it has also opened doors for illicit activities, such as terrorist financing. Below we explore the role of...more
1/17/2024
/ AML/CFT ,
Anti-Money Laundering ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Financial Crimes ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Financial Transactions ,
FinTech ,
Hamas ,
Money Laundering ,
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) ,
Terrorist Financing Regulations
On November 20, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) instituted a civil enforcement action against Kraken, a major U.S. cryptocurrency exchange. The SEC alleged Kraken operated as an unregistered broker, dealer,...more
12/7/2023
/ Civil Monetary Penalty ,
Crypto Exchanges ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinTech ,
Investment Contract ,
Investment Products ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
On November 21, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed its criminal indictment against Binance.com (Binance), the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and its CEO, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao (CZ). The indictment against...more
12/1/2023
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
BSA/AML ,
CFTC ,
Consent Order ,
Criminal Prosecution ,
Crypto Exchanges ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinCEN ,
Indictments ,
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) ,
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Settlement
On October 13, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed Assembly Bill 39 (Digital Financial Assets Law). This new law broadly empowers the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to govern...more
11/7/2023
/ AML/CFT ,
Anti-Money Laundering ,
ATMs ,
Bank Secrecy Act ,
California ,
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) ,
Digital Assets ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
FDIC ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Money Laundering ,
New Regulations ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Stablecoins
On October 16, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations (the Division) released its 2024 Examination Priorities report. The report highlights that future examinations will focus on “risk areas...more
10/31/2023
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
Bank Secrecy Act ,
Beneficial Owner ,
Broker-Dealer ,
BSA/AML ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Emerging Technology Companies ,
Financial Institutions ,
Investment Adviser ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
SEC Examination Priorities ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Technology
On October 19, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dismissed its claims against Ripple Labs, Inc. (Ripple) executives Bradley Garlinghouse and Christian Larsen for allegedly aiding and abetting Ripple’s violations of...more
10/23/2023
/ Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Cybersecurity ,
Digital Assets ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Interlocutory Appeals ,
Popular ,
Ripple ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Violations ,
Summary Judgment ,
Trading Platforms
On August 9, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sent a letter to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres requesting leave to file an interlocutory appeal in SEC v. Ripple Labs, Inc. as to the two adverse liability...more
8/17/2023
/ Appellate Courts ,
Cryptoassets ,
Digital Currency ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Howey ,
Interlocutory Appeals ,
Leave to Appeal ,
Ripple ,
SCOTUS ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Transactions ,
Token Sales ,
Trading Platforms
On July 13, U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that seeks to examine the...more
7/26/2023
/ Amended Regulation ,
Anti-Money Laundering ,
Bank Secrecy Act ,
BSA/AML ,
CFTC ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinCEN ,
NDAA ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Stablecoins