Unlike the current prohibitive policies on the trading and dealing of cryptocurrencies in China, the Chinese government has taken a more pragmatic approach towards non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”). It considers NFTs to be...more
Another day, another major U.S. restriction on Chinese tech. The Commerce Department is out with new rules “curbing Huawei Technologies Co.’s access to foreign-made chips.” The measures would “prohibit non-U.S. companies from...more
Goldman Sachs has reached a deal for $3.9 billion with the Malaysian government to resolve allegations of wrongdoing related to the massive 1MDB scandal. Goldman was the “main banker for the Malaysian fund” and raised...more
United Airlines is preparing to furlough as many as 36,000 workers—“nearly 40 percent of its global work force”—if the travel industry remains weak as summer turns into fall. The October 1 cuts would coincide with the end of...more
On Monday, the White House announced its plan to extend a “freeze on ‘green cards’ for new immigrants” and to “suspend H-1B, L-1, J and other temporary work visas for skilled workers, managers and au pairs through the end of...more
SFC outlines new regulatory framework for virtual asset trading platforms, HKMA highlights recent FinTech initiatives, and PBOC discusses China’s forthcoming central bank digital currency. The fourth annual Hong Kong FinTech...more
Senior negotiators from the U.S. and China will officially resume trade negotiations today, “with higher tariffs looming if [they] fail to break a five-month stalemate.” The U.S.’s moves this week to blacklist 28 Chinese tech...more
The US has blacklisted 28 Chinese companies—mostly in the tech sector—over China’s “campaign targeting Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities in the autonomous region of Xingjiang,” a move that’s drawn both...more
Talks between General Motors and the striking UAW broke down yesterday, threatening the progress the two sides “appeared to make in recent days,” a troubling sign as the strike heads into its 4th week....more
Financial giant Capital One, the fifth-largest credit card issuer in the U.S., announced on Monday that a hacker illegally accessed “the personal information of approximately 106 million card customers and applicants, one of...more
Samsung announced yesterday that it’s postponing the official mass-market introduction of its new foldable smart phone (originally set for the end of the week) based on reports that the pricey device has been malfunctioning....more
OMB official Kathleen Kraninger is likely to face serious questions as she takes to the Hill today to begin confirmation hearings for her surprise nomination to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Why? Her lack of...more
Cybersecurity in China remains a hot topic. The Cyber Security Law is already in place but the question is how this law is going to be interpreted and implemented. In this edition, we will look at various draft/trial measures...more
With Davos 2018 in the rear view mirror, some analysts are pegging the “geopolitical momentum” as China’s to claim, thanks in no small part to its expansive and ongoing “Belt and Road” initiative....more
Time Inc. announced yesterday that it’s sold itself as part of a roughly $3 billion all-cash transaction to Meredith Corporation. Meredith, which publishes Family Circle and Better Homes and Gardens, among other glossies, is...more
The ICO boom in 2017 brings with it questions of jurisdiction and compliance, and a need for further guidance - The benefits of ICOs in raising capital, as well as in providing a marketing push for a new business model,...more
Lyft, armed with a fresh billion from Google’s venture investment arm (CapitalG), is looking seriously at a 2018 IPO. The CapG money raises Lyft’s valuation from $6.9 billion to more than $10 billion....more
Representatives of the US’s biggest stock exchanges have questioned the SEC’s plan to change how markets work by altering the current “maker-taker” system and imposing new transparency and conflict-of-interest rules on...more
Under the impact of the Chinese government’s recent formal notices of halting ICOs, Notice 99 and Joint Notice released on September 2, 2017 and September 4, 2017 respectively, Beijing authorities have taken further actions...more
The government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has formally announced a suspension to all ICOs and token offerings and financing activities by releasing two notices, namely, the Notice of Seven Ministries Including...more
The CFPB issued a no-action letter to Upstart Network this week that will allow the online lender to “continue using alternative credit data to evaluate borrowers in exchange for providing data to the federal consumer finance...more
Big American banks (BofA, Citi, Morgan Stanley) are avoiding deals with Chinese conglomerate HNA Group over concerns regarding HNA’s debt level and ownership structure....more
The UK’s Daily Mail is reportedly joining Verizon in the field of suitors for Yahoo’s assets – WSJ - It’s no surprise when mega mergers attract the government’s attention, as we’ve seen in past weeks around here. But...more
Stock Market Commentary - China’s move to devalue its currency in late August set off a wave of selling and renewed volatility across global markets that continued through September. Enduring its worst quarter since...more