A recent bipartisan bill, if enacted, would particularly benefit small lenders and bank-fintech partnerships by promoting transparency, appellate rights, and examiner accountability.
On December 14, 2023, a bipartisan...more
The OCC outlines safety and soundness principles and appropriate risk management processes for its regulated institutions that engage in BNPL lending.
On December 6, 2023, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency...more
The proposal would subject certain large non-bank companies offering wallet and payment services to federal regulatory oversight on par with banks and credit unions.
On November 7, 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection...more
Covered financial institutions now face heightened expectations in relation to cybersecurity governance, risk assessment, and incident reporting.
The New York State Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) amendments (the...more
The proposed amendment seeks to modify the existing framework of FINRA Rule 2210 to accommodate the use of certain projections and targeted returns.
On November 13, 2023, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority...more
The joint statement provides helpful guidance on the civil rights implications of considering an individual’s immigration status under the ECOA.
On October 12, 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and...more
The OCC outlines safety and soundness principles and appropriate risk management processes for its regulated institutions that engage in venture lending.
On November 1, 2023, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency...more
11/29/2023
/ Banking Crisis ,
Banking Sector ,
Commercial Loans ,
FDIC ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Institutions ,
Lenders ,
New Guidance ,
OCC ,
Risk Management ,
State Charters
A proposed rule would lower the maximum amount that large debit card issuers can charge merchants for each transaction.
On October 25, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB) published a proposal...more
Guidance for the largest US financial institutions is intended to promote climate risk management consistent with general safety and soundness practices.
On October 30, 2023, the three US federal bank regulatory agencies...more
11/8/2023
/ Banking Sector ,
Biden Administration ,
Climate Change ,
Corporate Governance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Executive Orders ,
FDIC ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
New Guidance ,
OCC ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Risk Assessment ,
Risk Management ,
Strategic Planning
A proposed rule would increase Treasury’s insight into non-US crypto mixing transactions to combat illicit activities by malicious actors.
On October 19, 2023, the US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes...more
11/3/2023
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
Blockchain ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
FinCEN ,
Market Participants ,
Money Laundering ,
NPRM ,
Patriot Act ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Theft ,
U.S. Treasury
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)
Licensees, exchanges, and other market participants should prepare to comply with the listing, disclosure, capital, and other requirements that the new law imposes.
On October 13, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom...more
11/1/2023
/ Administrative Authority ,
Best Execution ,
Crypto Exchanges ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) ,
Digital Assets ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Governor Newsom ,
Listing Rules ,
Market Participants ,
New Legislation ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Stablecoins
The amendments aim to modernize the Names Rule and promote investor protection objectives by ensuring that a fund’s portfolio of holdings aligns with its name.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC or the...more
The Proposed Guidance would require enhanced criteria for coin-listing and delisting procedures for New York-licensed virtual currency entities.
On September 18, 2023, the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS)...more
10/6/2023
/ Bitcoin ,
Corporate Governance ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Guidance Update ,
Listing Rules ,
NYDFS ,
Popular ,
Stablecoins ,
Token Sales ,
Virtual Currency
The new standard aims to improve accounting treatment of certain digital assets under GAAP and may pave the way for increased institutional adoption.
On September 6, 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)...more
9/27/2023
/ Accounting ,
Accounting Standards ,
Asset Tokens ,
Cryptoassets ,
Digital Assets ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Fair Market Value ,
FASB ,
GAAP ,
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) ,
Proposed Regulation
In its second action involving NFTs, the SEC targets an offering tied to fundraising and promises of future value.
On September 13, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a cease-and-desist order (the...more
An appeals court panel rules that the SEC rejection of a proposed spot bitcoin ETP was arbitrary and capricious, opening the door for the potential launch of numerous ETPs in the near future.
On August 29, 2023, a...more
A federal court’s dismissal of claims against a decentralized cryptocurrency platform and its investors for the actions of scam token issuers is a case of first impression with wider significance.
On August 29, 2023, the...more
9/7/2023
/ Cryptocurrency ,
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ,
Digital Platforms ,
Dismissals ,
Investors ,
Petition for Writ of Certiorari ,
Scams ,
Securities Act of 1933 ,
Securities Exchange Act ,
Smart Contracts ,
Token Sales ,
Unregistered Securities
In its first enforcement action involving NFTs, the SEC focused on issuer marketing that promised outsized returns on investment and platform building. On August 28, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a...more
8/31/2023
/ Cease and Desist ,
Civil Monetary Penalty ,
Disgorgement ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Misrepresentation ,
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) ,
Securities ,
Securities Act of 1933 ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Violations ,
Unregistered Securities
The move becomes effective on October 1, 2023, with the Supreme Court soon to decide on the agency’s rule-writing authority.
On February 1, 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a rule (the...more
The Act aims to modernize and streamline state regulation of money transmitters while promoting innovation and consumer protection.
More than a dozen US states have enacted the Money Transmission Modernization Act (MTMA)...more
New laws implement regulatory standards and licensing requirements for fintechs seeking to improve employee access to wages.
On June 13, 2023, Nevada enacted a law that regulates earned wage access (EWA) services provided...more
A new program addresses innovative banking activities such as bank-fintech partnerships and digital assets while reinforcing guardrails around stablecoin activity.
On August 8, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal...more
8/16/2023
/ Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Compliance ,
Digital Assets ,
Enforcement Programs ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Institutions ,
FinTech ,
FRB ,
Risk-Based Approaches ,
Stablecoins
A bifurcated decision in a highly anticipated digital assets enforcement action may not provide the clarity that market participants want or need.
On July 13, 2023, Judge Analisa Torres of the US District Court for the...more
7/26/2023
/ Aiding and Abetting ,
Civil Monetary Penalty ,
Crypto Exchanges ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Digital Platforms ,
Due Process ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Fair Notice ,
Institutional Investors ,
Investment Platforms ,
Personal Liability ,
Ripple ,
Securities Act of 1933 ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation ,
Securities Violations ,
Token Sales ,
Unregistered Securities
Consumers and businesses stand to benefit from rapid access to funds at any time when routed through participating financial institutions.
On July 20, 2023, the Federal Reserve announced the long-awaited launch of its...more