The Staff noted that a stablecoin generally is not subject to SEC jurisdiction if it is not an investment and used solely for commercial activity....more
4/25/2025
/ Digital Assets ,
FinTech ,
Howey ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Reves Test ,
Securities Act of 1933 ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Exchange Act ,
Securities Regulation ,
Stablecoins
Stablecoin regulation is a top priority for lawmakers, and three recent proposals reflect differing perspectives on how to achieve regulatory clarity while balancing safety and innovation....more
Commissioner Hester Peirce outlined 10 priorities for the Crypto Task Force, aiming for regulatory clarity while promoting innovation in digital asset markets....more
2/11/2025
/ Blockchain ,
Broker-Dealer ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Enforcement Priorities ,
Exchange-Traded Products ,
FinTech ,
Investment Adviser ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation
With its pro-crypto stance and urgent posture, the executive order promises to make the US the “crypto capital of the planet.”
On January 23, 2025, President Trump issued a highly anticipated executive order on digital...more
1/28/2025
/ Blockchain ,
CFTC ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
FinTech ,
Popular ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Stablecoins ,
Trump Administration
Recent Supreme Court administrative law rulings change the power dynamic between the executive and the judiciary in critical areas of statutory interpretation, enforcement, and immunity from legal challenge....more
7/15/2024
/ Administrative Authority ,
Administrative Procedure Act ,
Administrative Proceedings ,
Chevron Deference ,
Corner Post Inc v Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
FinTech ,
Government Agencies ,
Judicial Authority ,
Jury Trial ,
Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo ,
SCOTUS ,
SEC v Jarkesy ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Seventh Amendment ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Statutory Authority ,
Statutory Interpretation
FIT21 would provide regulatory certainty for the US digital asset ecosystem, balancing support for innovation with consumer protection....more
5/30/2024
/ Blockchain ,
CFTC ,
Commodities ,
Consumer Protection Laws ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ,
Digital Assets ,
FinTech ,
Investment Contract ,
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) ,
Pending Legislation ,
Rulemaking Process ,
Securities ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Stablecoins
The bipartisan bill seeks to foster innovation and promote US dollar dominance while protecting consumers and mitigating illicit finance risks.
On April 17, 2024, US Senators Cynthia Lummis from the Senate Banking...more
As federal regulation remains patchy, firms may want to consider a New York state charter as a potential avenue to expand digital asset offerings in a compliant manner.
On March 22, 2024, WisdomTree, Inc., a global asset...more
4/5/2024
/ Custody ,
Digital Assets ,
Exemptions ,
Fiduciary ,
FinTech ,
Investment Management ,
Investment Trust Companies ,
Market Participants ,
Money Transmitter ,
NYDFS ,
OCC ,
Stablecoins ,
State Charters ,
Subsidiaries
The priorities highlight emerging and core risk areas for investment advisers, broker-dealers, and other entities, including cybersecurity and crypto assets.
On October 16, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s...more
11/3/2023
/ Broker-Dealer ,
Clearing Agencies ,
Compliance ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cybersecurity ,
FinTech ,
Investment Adviser ,
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ,
Investment Companies ,
Market Participants ,
Marketing ,
Private Funds ,
SEC Examination Priorities ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
A legislative initiative in Illinois would establish licensing and consumer protection requirements for digital asset businesses serving consumers in the state.
On February 21, 2023, the Illinois Department of Financial...more
3/29/2023
/ BitLicense ,
Compliance ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinTech ,
Popular ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Regulatory Authority ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Securities ,
Stablecoins
The Financial Services Committee seeks to bring order to an industry many say has suffered from lack of proper rulemaking.
On January 12, 2023, incoming House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry...more
Securities issues are covered in Title III (Responsible Securities Innovation) of the Responsible Financial Innovation Act (RFIA). The RFIA would add a new Section 41 to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Securities...more
As the market for NFTs heats up, market participants should remain mindful of the regulatory implications of complex schemes.
As the current crypto boom has progressed, it seemed Decentralized Finance (DeFi) had cemented...more
3/15/2021
/ Blockchain ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ,
Digital Assets ,
Ethereum ,
Fine Art ,
FinTech ,
Insurance Industry ,
Market Participants ,
Marketing ,
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) ,
Online Marketplace
Crypto-asset trading is a fast-growing part of the financial sector. Some countries have wholeheartedly embraced crypto-assets; others have been reticent to permit widespread adoption. Generally, countries have interpreted...more
SEC Commissioner Peirce has proposed a three-year safe harbor for qualifying token projects, but regulatory clarity remains elusive.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has been a perennial advocate of innovation in the...more
Recent SEC guidance on digital assets cleared a path for at least certain stable coins or payment tokens to avoid securities regulation. However, Latham & Watkins attorneys say there are still a number of open questions that...more
1/28/2020
/ Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
FinTech ,
Howey ,
Market Participants ,
New Guidance ,
No-Action Letters ,
Regulatory Standards ,
Securities ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Token Sales
In line with its previous guidance, FINRA has granted broker-dealer (but not custodian) status to a digital asset platform.
In a follow-up to the July 2019 SEC and FINRA joint staff statement (Joint Statement) clarifying...more
SEC’s investigative report sends clear message that virtual transactions using innovative technologies are subject to the application of securities laws.
Introduction -
On July 25, 2017, the US Securities and Exchange...more
7/28/2017
/ Blockchain ,
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) ,
Enforcement Actions ,
FinTech ,
Initial Coin Offering (ICOs) ,
Market Participants ,
Popular ,
Securities Act of 1933 ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Exchange Act ,
Token Sales