Senator Warren Slams Citibank’s Ongoing Failures — Suggests Breaking up Citi

Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for bold action from regulators, urging the acting head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to address Citibank’s persistent operational failures. Warren stated that Citibank may be “too-big-to-manage,” citing years of regulatory missteps and mishandled reforms, despite ongoing penalties. The letter suggests that breaking up the … Read more

Lawmaker Introduces Defi Bill — Calls Decentralized Finance ‘Essential to Future of Markets’

Congressman Warren Davidson has introduced the Evaluating Defi Opportunities Act to foster data-driven regulations for decentralized finance (defi). He stressed the importance of safeguarding innovation and user privacy while addressing concerns over potential overregulation. This proposed study by key financial regulators seeks to balance defi’s growth with oversight, ensuring the sector’s competitive edge and resilience … Read more

US Banking Regulator Calls for Stronger Oversight of Crypto Risks

Acting Comptroller Michael Hsu has emphasized the importance of proactive oversight in managing crypto risks. He cited the 2022 crypto market collapse, with a $2 trillion loss, where effective supervision kept banks stable. Hsu emphasized the need for vigilant supervision as digital assets and fintech increasingly integrate with traditional banking, presenting new challenges and risks. … Read more

Tax Authority Slated to Become Main Crypto Regulator in Russia

Russia’s tax administration is going to be tasked with overseeing the crypto industry in the country, a high-ranking government official has indicated. According to the regulatory concept that’s currently under consideration, the revenue service will also serve as an entry point for market participants. Russians to Report Crypto Holdings and Transactions to Their Tax Service … Read more

FTX Finds $7.3 Billion in Liquid Assets; Lawyers Consider Rebooting Shuttered Crypto Exchange

FTX debtors revealed during a hearing on April 12th that the restructuring team has collected $7.3 billion in liquid assets. The exchange is currently considering a relaunch, according to a lawyer representing the defunct cryptocurrency exchange. Following the announcement, the exchange’s token, FTT, increased by over 70%, rising from $1.30 to $2.35 per unit. Lawyers … Read more

US Treasury Report Warns of Defi’s Threat to National Security, Authors Conclude Fiat Is Used in Illicit Finance More Than Crypto

The U.S. Treasury has released a 42-page report assessing the risks of decentralized finance (defi). The report states that specific nation-state adversaries, cybercriminals, ransomware attackers, thieves, and scammers are using defi to “transfer and launder their illicit proceeds.” The Treasury’s report warns that defi could threaten national security and calls for policymakers to increase oversight. … Read more

UBS Considers Acquiring Credit Suisse, Requests Government Backstop in Deal

After Credit Suisse Group AG announced it would borrow 50 billion Swiss francs from the Swiss National Bank, UBS Group AG is reportedly considering acquiring the banking giant. However, UBS is requesting that the government issue a backstop to protect against any losses if it purchases Credit Suisse. According to unnamed sources familiar with the … Read more

NYDFS Releases Guidance on Importance of Segregation and Separate Accounting for Customer Funds in Crypto Industry

On Monday, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) published guidance on custodial structures to help protect customers’ money if a crypto firm goes bankrupt. New York’s top financial regulator stressed that businesses should not commingle customer funds and that customer funds should be segregated with separate accounting. FTX Collapse Prompts NYDFS to Issue … Read more

Israel’s Securities Watchdog Seeks to Regulate Crypto Assets

The body overseeing the securities market in Israel is taking steps to incorporate rules for digital assets into the existing legislation. The regulator released a draft proposal to introduce the changes that would define the legal status of cryptocurrencies in the country. Amendments to Israel’s Securities Laws Aimed at Expanding Supervision Over Crypto Arguing that … Read more