Veronica Reynolds

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SEC Chair Stands Firm: ‘Vast Majority’ of Cryptocurrency Tokens Are Securities

By Teresa Goody Guillén, Joanna F. Wasick, Kevin Edgar, Robert A. Musiala, Michelle Tanney, Veronica Reynolds, Alex Karambelas and Jonathan A. Forman on September 9, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, White Collar

In prepared remarks delivered at the Practising Law Institute’s “SEC Speaks” program on Sept. 8, Chair Gensler emphasized and reiterated his long-standing position that the vast majority of cryptocurrency tokens are securities, and he noted that “only a small number of tokens, even though they may represent a significant portion of the crypto market’s aggregate … Continue Reading

Developer Arrested Following OFAC Sanctions of the Tornado Cash Protocol

By Teresa Goody Guillén, Adam Gale, Michelle Tanney, Veronica Reynolds and Alex Karambelas on August 22, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

On Aug. 10, 2022, just days after OFAC issued sanctions against virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash, Dutch authorities arrested the protocol’s alleged developer. In a press release, the Treasury Department alleged that since 2019, Tornado Cash had been used to launder more than $7 billion in cryptocurrency, including more than $455 million stolen in the … Continue Reading

SEC and DOJ Bring Parallel Crypto Insider Trading Cases; SEC Alleges Nine Tokens Are Securities

By John J. Carney, Kevin Edgar, Jonathan A. Forman, Adam Gale, Teresa Goody Guillén, Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds and Michelle Tanney on July 25, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

Significant parallel actions commenced this week by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) bring crypto fraud enforcement into the spotlight, with the SEC alleging that multiple tokens listed on Coinbase are securities. In its first insider trading case of “crypto asset securities,” the SEC charged a former Coinbase product manager, his … Continue Reading

DOJ Calls on International Partners to Improve Investigative Efficiency in Response to President Biden’s Executive Order on Risks Involving Digital Assets

By Carlos Ortiz, Robert A. Musiala, Teresa Goody Guillén, John J. Carney, Christina Gotsis, Veronica Reynolds and Kayley Sullivan on June 30, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In June 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a report (Report) recommending increased cooperation among international law enforcement agencies to combat threats and crime related to the use and proliferation of digital assets and to address obstacles unique to the asset class. Specific actions recommended by the Report include expanding U.S. relationships with international … Continue Reading

New Stablecoins, Cryptocurrency Products and NFT Initiatives Launch; Ukraine Sells Donated NFT; SEC and OSC Bring Crypto Enforcement Actions

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Joanna F. Wasick, Veronica Reynolds and Alex Karambelas on June 24, 2022 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFT, NFTs

In this issue: • New Fiat-Pegged Stablecoins Launch, BIS Publishes New Findings on CBDCs• Traditional Financial Firms and Startups Launch New Cryptocurrency Products• NFT Ecosystem Expands; Ukrainian Government Sells NFT for Over $100,000• Canadian and US Securities Regulators Continue Crypto Enforcement Actions New Fiat-Pegged Stablecoins Launch, BIS Publishes New Findings on CBDCs By Jordan R. … Continue Reading

Financial Firms and Crypto Networks Launch Initiatives; Nonprofit Challenges Crypto Tax Provision; Crypto Enforcement Continues; UST Analysis Published

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick, Jordan R. Silversmith, Keith R. Murphy and Kayley Sullivan on June 17, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue:• Firms Announce New Crypto Initiatives; Data Published on Crypto and NFT Use• Nonprofit Coin Center Files Lawsuit Challenging Crypto Provision of Tax Code• OpenSea and Chainlink Announce Network Transitions• SEC Investigates Stablecoins, Crypto Exchanges; DOJ Seizes Dark Market• Report Analyzes UST Collapse, Australia Reports Losses to Crypto Scams Firms Announce New Crypto … Continue Reading

Proposed Federal Crypto Legislation Supported by Digital Asset Ecosystem; Consumer Advocacy Groups Balk

By Teresa Goody Guillén, Kevin Edgar, Veronica Reynolds, Nicholas C. Mowbray, Michelle Tanney and Alex Karambelas on June 15, 2022 Posted in Cryptocurrency

On June 7, Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced S. 4356, the Responsible Financial Innovation Act (Lummis-Gillibrand Bill). If enacted, the legislation would create a regulatory framework for federal oversight of digital assets. In a jointly authored blog post published in conjunction with the introduced bill, Senators Lummis and Gillibrand warned that … Continue Reading

New Crypto Products Launch, Draft Digital Assets Bill Released, Regulators Address Stablecoins, DOJ Publishes Crypto Report, Hacks and Scams Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Maria Luevano, Veronica Reynolds, Alex Karambelas and Lauren Bass on June 10, 2022 Posted in Uncategorized

In this issue: • Fintech and Crypto Firms Announce Myriad New Crypto Product Launches• Senators Release Digital Assets Bill, Crypto Activists Send Letter to Congress• NY DFS and Japan Address Stablecoins, BIS Addresses Crypto ‘Fragmentation’• DOJ Calls for International Cooperation in Fight Against Crypto Crime• CFTC Sues Crypto Exchange, NY AG Issues Investor Alert, UST … Continue Reading

An Introduction to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

By Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Keith R. Murphy and Veronica Reynolds on June 7, 2022 Posted in NFT, NFTs

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are the latest advancement in the ongoing evolution of the blockchain market. To help put this new phenomenon into context, the BakerHostetler Blockchain team has prepared a series of papers that examine NFTs from various perspectives. In the first paper in the series, we introduce NFTs from the technological and market perspectives. … Continue Reading

Crypto Payment Initiatives Launch; Report Cites Evolving Crypto Views; G7, ECB, BIS Address Crypto Risks; DOJ, CFTC Target NFT Insider Trading, Crypto Fraud

By Robert A. Musiala, Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds, Keith R. Murphy and Teresa Goody Guillén on June 3, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • New Cryptocurrency Payments Systems, Tokens and Trade Associations Launch• Cryptocurrency Industry Report Notes Change in Consumer and Insider Views• Digital Asset and Blockchain Risks and Opportunities Addressed by G7, ECB, BIS• DOJ Brings First NFT Insider Trading Case, CFTC Action Targets Crypto Fraud New Cryptocurrency Payments Systems, Tokens and Trade Associations … Continue Reading

New CBDC and NFT Data Released; OFAC Adds Mixer and Public Keys to SDN List; Multiple Crypto Enforcement Actions; Stablecoin Risks on Display

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds, Christina Gotsis, Alex Karambelas and Joanna F. Wasick on May 13, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • BIS Releases Survey on CBDC Initiatives; New Crypto Products Launch• 2022 NFT Market Data Released; Brands Continue NFT Initiatives• OFAC Sanctions Cryptocurrency Mixer, Adds New Public Keys to SDN List• Multiple Crypto Enforcement Actions Announced by CFTC, DOJ and SEC• Multistate Enforcement Action Targets Metaverse Casino’s NFT Offering• Algorithmic Stablecoins Collapse; … Continue Reading

SEC Signals Ramp-Up in Crypto Enforcement by Nearly Doubling Its Crypto Assets Cyber Unit Staff

By Joanna F. Wasick, Teresa Goody Guillén, Veronica Reynolds, Adam Gale, John J. Carney, Jonathan A. Forman and Robert A. Musiala on May 5, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

On May 3, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the expansion of its Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit (the Unit f/k/a the Cyber Unit) to 50 staff members, nearly double the Unit’s former size, including supervisors, investigative staff attorneys, trial counsel and fraud analysts. The Unit is a group within the Division of … Continue Reading

New Crypto Payment Initiatives; Regulators Address Crypto in Speeches; Lawmakers Propose Legislation; OFAC Sanctions Crypto Actors; DeFi Hacked

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Teresa Goody Guillén, Veronica Reynolds, Keith R. Murphy and Joanna F. Wasick on April 8, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • Crypto Payment Initiatives Announced in Stablecoins, Lightning Network, Mining• SEC Chairman and Comptroller of the Currency Address Crypto in Speeches• SEC Addresses Crypto Accounting, Commissioner Peirce Voices Criticisms• Stablecoins Take Center Stage in Proposed Legislation, Reports and UN Donation• OFAC Sanctions Russian Dark Markets, Adds 100 Crypto Public Keys to SDN … Continue Reading

Money Laundering Concerns Prompt EU Parliament to Approve Privacy-Reducing Crypto Rules

By Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick and Melinda L. McLellan on April 6, 2022 Posted in Cryptocurrency

On March 31, 2022, two European Parliament committees – the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (the “Committees”) – voted in favor of new rules (the “Rules”) that would change the way cryptocurrency transactions are treated by the European Union (EU) and would require that … Continue Reading

Firms Expand Crypto Services; Networks Implement DAOs and Integrations; Congressmen Address SEC on Crypto; IRS and OECD Address Crypto Tax

By Robert A. Musiala, Alex Karambelas, Veronica Reynolds and Lauren Bass on March 25, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: Investment Bank and Cryptocurrency Exchanges Expand Crypto Services From Australia to Africa, Cryptocurrency Sees Continued International Adoption ApeCoin Drops; Juno Holders Confiscate Funds; Polygon Integrates Simba Chain Congressmen Question SEC on Crypto; OECD and IRS Address Crypto Taxation Investment Bank and Cryptocurrency Exchanges Expand Crypto Services By Robert A. Musiala Jr. This … Continue Reading

Crypto Payment Offerings Launch; Exchanges Achieve Foreign Approvals; Ukraine Legalizes Crypto; Regulators Issue Warnings; $28M in Bitcoin Seized

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick, Kayley Sullivan, Alex Karambelas and Jordan R. Silversmith on March 18, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: Payments Firm Unveils Crypto Services, Exchanges Achieve Foreign Approvals Blockchain Network Developments: Ethereum 2.0, Wallets, DAOs and Mining Crypto Legalized in Ukraine; New Crypto Sanctions Screening Tools Launch Regulators Issue Warnings on Crypto Retirement Plans, ATMs and Sanctions DOJ Extradites Individual Charged with Ransomware; $28M in Bitcoin Seized Payments Firm Unveils Crypto … Continue Reading

Executive Order Launches Comprehensive US Policy and Action Plan for Digital Assets

By Robert A. Musiala, Teresa Goody Guillén, Joanna F. Wasick, Veronica Reynolds, Kevin Edgar, Jonathan A. Forman and Adam Gale on March 17, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

On March 9, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets (EO) and the White House released a corresponding fact sheet summarizing related key policy objectives. As discussed in more detail here, this is a landmark moment for the U.S. cryptocurrency market. … Continue Reading

Executive Order Addresses Digital Assets; Banks and Restaurants Launch Crypto Initiatives; FinCEN Issues Alert; SEC, CFTC and DOJ Bring Actions

By Robert A. Musiala, Alex Karambelas, Veronica Reynolds, Keith R. Murphy, Joanna F. Wasick and Lauren Bass on March 11, 2022 Posted in Cryptocurrency, FinTech, Government, Securities & Exchange Commission, Uncategorized

In this issue: President Biden Issues Executive Order Addressing Digital Assets Banks Join USDF ‘Stablecoin’ Consortium, Pursue Crypto Custody Offerings U.S. Restaurants Adopt Crypto; Swiss City Calls Crypto ‘De Facto’ Legal Tender Cryptocurrency Sanctions Compliance Activity Spikes Following Russian Actions SEC, CFTC and DOJ Bring Charges Alleging Cryptocurrency Fraud Schemes President Biden Issues Executive Order … Continue Reading

U.S. Bank Acquires Blockchain Infrastructure; SEC Approves Blockchain-Based Exchange; FTC Warns on Crypto Scams; NFT Threats, Crypto Hacks Reported

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Jordan R. Silversmith, Lauren Bass, Joanna F. Wasick and Keith R. Murphy on February 4, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • U.S. Bank Seeks to Launch Stablecoin; New Crypto Payments Data Released • U.S. Bank Seeks to Launch Stablecoin; New Crypto Payments Data Released • FTC Warns of Crypto Scams, IRS Offers Staking Settlement; MAS Bans ATMs • Reports Address NFT Platform Exploits, Wash Trading and Money Laundering • SEC Scrutinizes Crypto … Continue Reading

Crypto Payments Firms Make Moves; NFT and Blockchain Supply Chain Projects Launch; Central Bank Addresses CBDCs; SEC and DOJ Bring Crypto Actions

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Keith R. Murphy, Joanna F. Wasick and Jordan R. Silversmith on January 28, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission, Supply Chain

In this issue: • Crypto Payments Consortium Sells Assets; Other Crypto Firms Make Moves • New NFT Projects Launch in Art, Music, Fashion, Sports and Social Media • Firms Launch Blockchain Supply Chain Initiatives in Pharma and Liquor Products • U.S. Central Bank Addresses CBDCs; Congressman Proposes Crypto Action • SEC Scrutinizes Crypto Interest Accounts … Continue Reading

US Banks Launch New Stablecoin; NFT Markets Expand; OCC Promotes Stablecoin Regulation; Blockchain Networks Evolve; Exchange Hacked for $34M

By Robert A. Musiala, Keith R. Murphy, Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick and Jordan R. Silversmith on January 21, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFTs, Stablecoin

In this issue: • US Banks Launch New Stablecoin, Data Shows Increasing Interest in Crypto • With New Acquisitions and Partnerships, NFT Marketplaces Continue to Expand • Acting Comptroller of the Currency Promotes Stablecoin Regulation • Blockchain Networks Implement Scaling and Operational Initiatives • Major Cryptocurrency Exchange Hacked for $34M, Customers Reimbursed US Banks Launch … Continue Reading

NFT Initiatives Launch, Congress Writes to CFTC on Crypto, SEC Charges ICO Fraud Scheme, GAO Addresses Crypto ATMs, Reports Address Crypto Threats

By Robert A. Musiala, Lauren Bass, Joanna F. Wasick and Veronica Reynolds on January 14, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, ICOs, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • From Music to Marketplaces: NFT Use Cases Continue to Expand • Congress Writes CFTC on Crypto, Firms Make DeFi and Crypto Derivative Moves • SEC Charges ICO Fraud Scheme, GAO Recommends Crypto ATM Regulation • New Reports Provide Data on 2021 Cryptocurrency Criminal Activities From Music to Marketplaces: NFT Use Cases … Continue Reading

New Initiatives Launch in Stablecoins, CBDCs, Tokenized Securities, Supply Chain; Crypto Guidance Published for Credit Unions; CFTC Fines Events Market

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Keith R. Murphy, Lauren Bass, Joanna F. Wasick and Kayley Sullivan on January 7, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Enforcement, Stablecoin, Tax

• Financial Messaging Network Launches Experiments in Stablecoin Sector • Technology and Finance Firms Announce CBDC and Digital Securities Initiatives • Gold, Wool and Cargo: Global Supply Chains Continue to Adopt Blockchain • NCUA Clarifies Crypto Guidance for Credit Unions; Crypto Tax Report Published • CFTC Targets Smart Contracts Market; DOJ Traces Bitcoin Linked to … Continue Reading

Crypto Initiatives Launch; Bitcoin Upgrade Activated; Reports Address DeFi, Tether; SEC Rejects Bitcoin ETF; DOJ to Sell $56M in Crypto Fraud Proceeds

By Robert A. Musiala, Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick and Keith R. Murphy on November 19, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, Uncategorized

• Raising Municipal Funds and Rewarding Loyalty: New Cryptocurrency Use Cases • Bitcoin’s Taproot Upgrade Activated to Improve Network Security • Reports Address DeFi Security, Tether Distribution and Liquidity • SEC Rejects Proposal for Spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund • US and Canadian Authorities Pursue Fraud Schemes, Recover Stolen Crypto Raising Municipal Funds and Rewarding … Continue Reading