On May 28, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a consultation paper on regulating crypto-asset trading platforms (CTPs).
The consultation paper describes issues and risks identified by IOSCO in relation to CTPs. The consultation paper describes key considerations and provides related toolkits that are intended to assist regulatory authorities who may be evaluating…
On April 5, the UK Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a directory of regulators and other authorities in FSB jurisdictions who cover cryptoasset issues.
The FSB delivered the directory to the April 2019 G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting. It notes that the directory’s purpose is to provide information only—it does not define…
Recognizing the need for guidance as to the application of US federal securities law for those considering an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), or otherwise engaging in the offer, sale or distribution of a digital asset, the Securities and Exchange Commission released its Framework for “Investment Contract” Analysis of Digital Assets. The Framework represents the views of the SEC’s Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology (FinHub) and is designed to provide additional guidance in areas that the SEC has not previously addressed.
Continue Reading SEC Releases Framework for “Investment Contract” Analysis of Digital Assets
On April 3, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporate Finance (the “Division”) responded to TurnKey Jet, Inc.’s (TKJ) letter dated April 2, requesting confirmation that the Division would not recommend enforcement action to the SEC in connection with its offer and sale of tokens without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In issuing its response that it would not recommend enforcement action to the SEC, the Division noted that:
Continue Reading SEC Issues TurnKey Jet, Inc. No-Action Letter
On January 22, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued its annual Risk Monitoring and Examination Priorities Letter. This year’s letter includes a number of new areas for firms to consider in seeking to improve their compliance, supervisory and risk management programs.
Continue Reading FINRA Releases 2019 Annual Risk Monitoring and Examination Priorities Letter
On January 23, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper proposing new guidance further clarifying the circumstances under which cryptoassets are to be regulated.
Continue Reading FCA Consults on Guidance Clarifying When Cryptoassets Should Be Regulated
On January 9, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published advice addressed to the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on initial coin offerings (ICOs) and cryptoassets. On the same day, the European Banking Authority (EBA) also published advice on cryptoassets addressed to the European Commission.
Continue Reading ESMA and EBA Publish Advice on Cryptoassets
As part of its LabCFTC initiative, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued a Request for Input (RFI) to deepen the CFTC’s understanding of the technology, mechanics, and markets for Ether and its use on the Ethereum Network. In particular, the RFI seeks to understand similarities and distinctions between Ether and Bitcoin (as well as other…
On December 7, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper on restricting contract for difference (CFD) and other derivative products sold to retail consumers.
In its consultation paper, the FCA is proposing to intervene in the CFD market to address allegedly poor conduct by firms offering CFD products to retail customers, and to limit the sale of CFDs and similar products with excessive risk features that could result in harm to such customers. The FCA has proposed rules that will require firms to:
Continue Reading FCA Publishes Consultation Paper on Restricting CFD Products Sold to Retail Clients
On November 12, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published the final version of its cyber lexicon and an accompanying press release.
The FSB’s cyber lexicon is a set of approximately 50 core terms related to cybersecurity and cyber resilience in the financial sector, but is not intended to be a comprehensive lexicon of all cybersecurity and cyber resilience-related terms.
Continue Reading FSB Publishes Final Version of Cyber Lexicon
