oversight
UK Government Wants FCA Oversight on Crypto Investment Advertising
The UK Government has proposed that crypto asset promotions should fall under the scope of the Financial Conduct Authority’s existing oversight and does not require a whole new framework just for digital assets.
Singapore's Central Bank Paves the Way for Regulatory Oversight of Cryptocurrency Derivatives Trading
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has revealed regulatory plans to permit the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives on select platforms. This oversight strategy is being fronted because investors are considerably favoring these products.
SEC Chief to Testify Before House Committee on Crypto Oversight
SEC chief Gary Gensler will face questioning from the House Financial Services Committee on April 18 regarding his approach toward the crypto ecosystem. The committee will focus on Gensler's rulemaking and approach toward crypto assets and lay down a regulatory sphere for digital assets.
ACE Exchange President Michael Wang Arrested
Michael Wang, President of ACE Exchange, was recently arrested on charges of fraud and money laundering, marking a significant event in the cryptocurrency industry.
US Treasury Suggests Easier Oversight for Nonbank Financial Institutions
The US Treasury and top financial regulators have proposed new rules to ease the Federal Reserve's designation of nonbank institutions as systemically important. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raised concerns over nonbank institutions' lack of supervision and the potential for financial contagion during periods of distress.
SEC Chair Gensler Faces Congressional Pressure Over EU Coordination and Lack of Transparency
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has intensified scrutiny on SEC Chair Gary Gensler over the SEC's coordination with the EU on legislative matters and a perceived lack of transparency. The discord, highlighted in a letter dated October 12, 2023, follows a pattern of communication deadlock between the SEC and Congress, with implications on broader legislative and regulatory frameworks. The Committee expects more forthright engagement from the SEC by October 19, 2023, threatening compulsory processes for compliance.
SEC Charges FTX Auditor Prager Metis Over Independence Violations
The SEC has charged Prager Metis with violations of auditor independence laws, drawing attention due to its previous engagement with cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which filed for bankruptcy in 2022. The legal action emphasizes the crucial role of auditor independence in ensuring financial transparency and investor protection.
Taiwan's Legislature Considers Virtual Asset Management Bill to Protect Consumers
The Taiwanese Legislature is deliberating on a new Virtual Asset Management Bill aimed at fostering better consumer protection and industry oversight. The bill, seen as moderate, outlines pragmatic mandates for VASPs while leaving room for further regulatory fine-tuning, marking a significant step in Taiwan’s evolving digital asset regulatory landscape.
Congressional Memo Challenges SEC's SAB 121
Congress members question the enforceability of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin 121, arguing it deviates from standard accounting practices, misrepresents custodians' responsibilities, and increases consumer risk.
HKPF and SFC Form Joint Working Group to Tackle Illicit Activities in VATPs
The HKPF and SFC have formed a joint working group to enhance monitoring and investigation of illegal activities related to VATPs. The group aims to facilitate information sharing, assess risks, and collaborate on investigations. The move comes amid ongoing investigations into the unlicensed operations of the Dubai-based JPEX exchange.
US Treasury Department Warns Regulators of Potential Risks of Digital Assets
The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) of the US Treasury Department has released its annual report with a crucial warning of digital assets disruption.
China's Central Bank Publishes Rules for Blockchain-Based Financial Applications
The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has published a set of evaluation rules for blockchain-based finance applications. The published rules aim to provide regulatory oversight using three basic standards bordering on technical, performance, and security.
Belgium’s FSMA Blacklists More Crypto Investment Businesses Following Customer Complaints
Belgium’s Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA), a body mandated with the oversight and regulation of the nation’s financial services sector, has opted to add more crypto investment businesses to its blacklist for fraudulent activities. According to an official announcement, this decision was sparked by new cries aired by customers about cryptocurrency investment offers meant to swindle them.
Why Facebook's Libra Is Not A Real Cryptocurrency
Facebook on Tuesday announced its Bitcoin rival called Libra, a cryptocurrency created by a Facebook subsidiary called Calibra that will be managed by an oversight body called the Libra Association. The Libra coin will not be available immediately, as the announcement only covers the vision and technology behind the Facebook blockchain. But the company says Libra will be private, mostly.
Calibra CEO Defends Libra at Its First Major Encounter with 26 Global Central Banks
David Marcus, the CEO of Calibra, behind Facebook’s Libra has announced that the proposed stablecoin would not be a threat to the monetary sovereignty of nations as suggested previously by regulators.
Bakkt Opens Long-Awaited Bitcoin Warehouse For Deposit and Withdrawal
Bakkt has finally announced the launch of its long-awaited for the withdrawal and deposit of Bitcoin, Bakkt had said in its announcement that it's potential clients are customers who are willing to deposit and withdraw Bitcoin.
Winklevoss Twins' Gemini and Archax Exchange Now Licensed by UK Financial Conduct Authority
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has granted a license to the Winklevoss twins’ Gemini cryptocurrency exchange.
Singapore Payment Services Act Now in Effect For Crypto Firms
The Monetary Authority of Singapore now requires cryptocurrency providers and exchanges to be licensed under some of the same regulatory elements as traditional financial service providers.
SEC Fights Telegram on Gram Token Sale at US Court Battle
The cryptocurrency and blockchain community have been closely watching the court case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Telegram over the legality of the latter’s $1.7 billion token offering.
UN Investigates North Korea on Cyberattacks Funding WMD
The U.N. experts are currently investigating 35 cases in 17 countries where North Koreas were using cyberattacks to raise money for the military objective.