Regulations Roundup: SEC Considers Crypto Fund Criteria, South Korea Warns Investors

In this edition of Regulations Roundup, we focus on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) ongoing discussions with companies that are interested in setting up cryptocurrency funds. We also look at a recent warning by the South Korean financial regulator about virtual currency investments, as well as a call by the CEO of U.S. … Read more

Regulations Roundup: Investors Not Protected in China, Albania to Regulate

In recent regulatory news, a court in China’s Futian District has ruled that cryptocurrency investments are not protected by law, Albania’s government has indicated that it intends to develop a regulatory framework for crypto, and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission has published a memorandum from a recent meeting pertaining to the proposed Vaneck … Read more

Hong Kong Regulator: Cryptocurrencies ‘May Not Qualify as Securities’

Cryptocurrency falls into a legislative gray area in many jurisdictions, which is why governments should take a particularly nuanced approach to developing regulatory frameworks for crypto trading, the outgoing chairman of Hong Kong’s securities regulator said in a recent interview. Also Read: Fidelity Launching Crypto Custody and Trading Services Key Challenge for Legislators “We have to … Read more

ICO Activity Down 90% This Year, Research Shows

An independent study by Autonomous Research has found that initial coin offering (ICO) activity globally has dropped over 90 percent this year. With the high of about $3 billion in funds raised by token sales at the beginning of this year, September investments were less than $300 million, according to the firm. Also read: 160 Crypto … Read more

Regulations Roundup: Crypto-Intermediaries in France, SEC Deadline for Rejected ETF Commentary

In recent news pertaining to cryptocurrency regulations, French lawmakers are considering a proposed amendment that would introduce a regulatory framework for crypto-asset intermediaries; the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced October 26th as the deadline for the submission of public comments relating to the nine exchange-traded funds (ETFs) it recently rejected; and a … Read more

CFTC Chair Explains Why US Has Regulated Bitcoin Futures but Not Bitcoin ETFs

The chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has explained why bitcoin futures have been approved in the U.S. but bitcoin ETFs have not. He also shared his thoughts on the future of cryptocurrencies and how they can potentially solve currency-related problems in as much as two-thirds of the world’s countries. Also read: 160 … Read more

North Dakota Issues Orders Against Bitconnect, Magma, Pension Rewards

The securities department of the US state of North Dakota has issued orders against three companies promoting initial coin offerings in the state. They are Bitconnect, Magma Foundation, and Pension Rewards. The investigations are part of Operation Cryptosweep which involves over 40 US and Canadian securities regulators. Also read: 160 Crypto Exchanges Seek to Enter Japanese … Read more

SEC, CFTC, FBI Take Action Against Bitcoin-Funded Securities Dealer 1Broker

Three U.S. agencies have taken action against international bitcoin-funded securities dealer 1pool Ltd., aka 1Broker. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says 1Broker violated federal securities laws. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) says it violated the Commodity Exchange Act. Meanwhile, the company says it is working on letting customers withdraw their funds. Also read: 160 … Read more

European Regulator Renews Restrictions on Crypto-Based Derivatives

Europe’s securities watchdog, ESMA, has decided to extend the restrictions applied to a number of financial derivatives, including contracts-for-differences (CFDs) based on cryptocurrencies. The limits that were introduced in August of this year will now remain in place until the end of January 2019.   Also read: French Regulator Blacklists More Fraudulent Crypto Businesses ESMA … Read more