SEC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has settled charges with two initial coin offering issuers. These cases are the commission’s first to impose civil penalties “solely for ICO securities offering registration violations.” Both companies have agreed to refund investors, pay penalties, and register their tokens as securities. Also read: Yahoo!Continue Reading

Hundreds of startups are reportedly being “secretly” targeted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for their involvement with initial coin offerings. Companies that participated in ICOs are now scrambling to clarify whether their token constituted a security, and, if so, whether it was properly registered with or exempted byContinue Reading

This week Dutch authorities revealed to the public that the Netherlands’ largest financial services provider, ING, had violated numerous money laundering laws because they didn’t scrutinize unusual transactions and certain accounts. Also Read: Public Anger Forces Bank CFO to Quit Over Huge Money Laundering Affair Netherlands’ Largest Bank Admits: “ING ClientsContinue Reading

In recent news pertaining to initial coin offerings (ICO) regulations, an EU report has advocated the regulation of ICOs according to crowdfunding legislation, the governor of Korea’s Jeju Island wants his jurisdiction to become a special economic zone regarding cryptocurrencies and blockchain, and the U.S. SEC has warned consumers regardingContinue Reading

A high-profile crypto case involving a well-known actor and model has come to public attention in Thailand following the enforcement of the country’s crypto regulations. Over 5,564 BTC were reportedly stolen from a bitcoin millionaire. The alleged ringleader has fled to the U.S. Thailand’s main crypto regulator is cooperating withContinue Reading

On Thursday, the well-known cannabis culture brand and publication High Times announced it’s holding an initial public offering (IPO) and that it will be the first regulated A+ stock offering to accept cryptocurrencies. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space High Times Takes Another Step Into the FutureContinue Reading

The Kodak-branded bitcoin mining rigs unveiled at the CES technology trade show this year will no longer be available to mine for customers. Amid scam accusations, the company behind the Kodak Kashminer crypto mining scheme has reportedly confirmed the plan has collapsed, citing intervention by the U.S. Securities and ExchangeContinue Reading

A few months ago the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) charged a Staten Island-based company called Cabbage Tech with ‘fraud and misappropriation’ of funds based in Bitcoin and Litecoin. According to the CFTC, it revealed it had charged Patrick McDonnell and his company Cabbage Tech for crimes associated withContinue Reading

ICOs seeking to crowdfund their big idea have a quandary: should they register their token as a security, complete with the expense, delays, and paperwork this entails, or should they brand it a utility and hope the SEC doesn’t come after them? Last year, virtually everything was labeled a utilityContinue Reading

Thailand’s financial agencies have agreed that regulators cannot stop the use of cryptocurrencies within the country. The relevant ministries will meet and discuss the regulatory framework for digital currencies and initial coin offerings, which is expected to be finalized within a month. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business WithContinue Reading

The financial inspectors of the SEC publish their top priorities at the beginning of every year in an effort to improve compliance, prevent fraud, monitor risk, and inform regulatory policy. This year, tacking fraud in the ICO and cryptocurrency markets takes center stage. Also Read: Weiss Ratings Defends its DecisionContinue Reading

Virtual Currencies: The Oversight Role of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission began in earnest at the United States Senate Dirksen office building Tuesday, 6 February. The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs summoned respective Chairs of the US Securities and ExchangeContinue Reading