Beginning on June 5, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dispute Resolution Services (FINRA DRS) will permit in-person hearings to resume at most of its hearing locations for in-person arbitration and mediation proceedings. Continue Reading FINRA Dispute Resolution Services to Reopen Most Hearing Locations for In-Person Arbitration and Mediation

On May 11, the Securities Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Investment Management (IM) staff issued a Public Statement (Statement) strongly encouraging any investor interested in investing in mutual funds exposed to the Bitcoin futures market to carefully consider the risks involved with such investments. Continue Reading SEC Division of Investment Management Staff Publishes Public Statement on Funds Registered Under Investment Company Act Investing in Bitcoin Futures Market

On May 7, Consolidated Audit Trail, LLC and FINRA CAT, LLC (CAT) published a new roadmap to assist Small Firms with their reporting obligations for CAT Reportable Securities by the compliance date of December 13. Continue Reading Consolidated Audit Trail Publishes New Roadmap to Assist Small Firms With Reporting Obligations

On May 7, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper on a new UK-authorized fund regime for investing in long-term assets (CP21/12). These assets are often called productive finance and include venture capital, private equity, private debt, real estate and infrastructure investments. Continue Reading FCA Consults on New Authorized Fund Regime for Investing in Long-Term Assets

On May 10, the UK Government published its guidance on the supply of emissions allowances in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). The UK ETS was introduced on January 1, replacing the United Kingdom’s participation in the EU Emission Trading System following the end of the post-Brexit transition period. Continue Reading UK Government Publishes Guidance on Supply of Emissions Allowances in UK ETS

On May 11, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) updated its webpage announcing the replacement of Gabriel, its data collection platform for gathering regulatory data from firms. Continue Reading FCA Replaces Data Collection Platform Gabriel With RegData

On May 7, the European Commission (Commission) published its consultation on a draft Delegated Regulation expanding Article 8 of the Taxonomy Regulation ((EU) 2020/852) by specifying the disclosure obligations associated with environmentally sustainable economic activities relating to large corporations. Continue Reading ESG: European Commission Consults on Draft Delegated Regulation of Disclosure Obligations Under Taxonomy Regulation

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is seeking comment on rules, operations and administrative processes that may create unintended disparate impacts on those within the industries that FINRA regulates.  Continue Reading FINRA Seeks Comment Regarding Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives