Archives: Cryptocurrency

The Four Areas Online Merchants and E-Commerce Companies Must Know About Cryptocurrency

By Jeewon Serrato and Robert A. Musiala on December 2, 2021 Posted in Cryptocurrency

Partner Jeewon Serrato and Counsel Rob Musiala discuss what online merchants and e-commerce companies should know about cryptocurrency. Questions & Comments: jserrato@bakerlaw.com, rmusiala@bakerlaw.com Listen to the episode. Subscribe to BakerHosts Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | iHeartRadio | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn Download Episode Transcript… 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

Crypto Payment Products Launch; SEC Addresses DeFi, Targets DAO Tokens; OFAC Adds Crypto Exchange to SDN List; Crypto Fraud Schemes Revealed

By Robert A. Musiala, Kayley Sullivan, Joanna F. Wasick, Veronica Reynolds and Keith R. Murphy on November 12, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Cybersecurity, Enforcement, Securities & Exchange Commission

• New Crypto Payment Products Launch, Report Cites Exchange Consolidation • SEC Commissioner Publishes Article Addressing DeFi Risks and Regulation • OFAC Adds Crypto Exchange and Cryptocurrency Addresses to OFAC SDN List • Enforcement Agencies Target DAO Offering and Fraudulent Crypto Companies • New Cryptocurrency Fraud Schemes Revealed, DeFi Protocol Hacked New Crypto Payment Products … Continue Reading

Financial Firms Integrate Crypto Offerings; Congressmen Address Bitcoin ETFs; NFT Boom Continues; Agencies Seek Crypto Oversight; Crypto Hacker Indicted

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Joanna F. Wasick, Lauren Bass, Keith R. Murphy and Elyssa S. Kates on November 5, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Government, NFT, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission

• Traditional Financial Firms Integrate Crypto Services, CBDC Reports Published • Congressmen Advocate for Bitcoin Spot ETFs, Australia Issues Crypto ETP Regs • Sports Franchises and Music Platforms Continue to Embrace NFTs • Government Agencies Argue for Increased Oversight of Cryptocurrency Markets • DOJ Charges Cryptocurrency Hacker, Decentralized Exchange Hacked for $139M Traditional Financial Firms … Continue Reading

Financial Firms Integrate Crypto, NFT Market Expands, Blockchain Pilots Launch, FATF Publishes New Crypto Guidance, Crypto Enforcement Actions Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Lauren Bass, Joanna F. Wasick and Keith R. Murphy on October 29, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFTs, Platforms

• Financial Firms Integrate Crypto Products, New Bitcoin Network Data Published • From Digital Art to Alcohol: The NFT Marketplace Continues to Expand • Blockchain Pilots Launch in News Data, Satellite Networks and Trade Finance • FDIC Chair Addresses Crypto, FATF Publishes Updated Crypto AML Guidance • Global Agencies Target Darknet Market; CFTC Investigates Crypto … Continue Reading

Crypto Initiatives Launch in Payments, Capital Markets and NFTs; OFAC and White House Address Crypto Risks; CFTC and NYAG Take Enforcement Actions

By Robert A. Musiala, Keith R. Murphy, Lauren Bass and Kayley Sullivan on October 22, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, NFTs, Platforms, Ransomware

• Blockchain Payment Pilots Launched by Media, Government and Crypto Firms • Blockchain Market Advances in Options, ATS Platforms, Commodities and DeFi • New Platforms Launch NFT Collections • OFAC and White House Address Cryptocurrency Industry Risks • CFTC and NYAG Enforcement Actions Target Cryptocurrency Exchanges Blockchain Payment Pilots Launched by Media, Government and Crypto … Continue Reading

Crypto Financial Products Launch; G7 Addresses CBDCs; SEC Commissioners and Foreign Regulators Address Crypto; ICO Founders Plead to Tax Evasion

By Veronica Reynolds, Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Keith R. Murphy and Jordan R. Silversmith on October 15, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Cybersecurity, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission, Uncategorized

• Crypto Products Launch in Payments, ETFs, DeFi; Bitcoin Mining Data Published • G7 Considers Impact of CBDCs in New Publications • Blockchain Solutions Launch in B2B Software; Cobalt and Leather Supply Chains • SEC Commissioners Address Crypto Market Regulation in Contrasting Speeches • Foreign Regulators Address Crypto Advertising, Mining and Ransomware • ICO Founders … Continue Reading

DOJ Targets Cryptocurrency Fraud

By John J. Carney, Robert A. Musiala, Michelle Tanney and Kayley Sullivan on October 12, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, Securities & Exchange Commission

Authorship credit: John J. Carney, Robert A. Musiala Jr., Michelle N. Tanney, and Kayley B. Sullivan On October 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the creation of a National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (“NCET” or “Team”) to tackle investigations and prosecutions of criminal misuses of cryptocurrency, including crimes committed by virtual currency exchanges, … Continue Reading

Crypto Initiatives and Blockchain Supply Chain Solutions Launch; Reports Provide 2021 Crypto Market Stats, Address Risks; DOJ Crypto Team Announced

By Robert A. Musiala, Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds and Jordan R. Silversmith on October 8, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, ICOs, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission, Uncategorized

• Major Financial Institutions Announce Crypto and Blockchain Initiatives • Blockchain Adopted to Improve Supply Chains and Authenticate Products • Blockchain Reports Publish 2021 Blockchain, DeFi and NFT Stats • Financial Watchdogs Publish Reports Addressing Cryptocurrency Markets • DOJ Announces Crypto Enforcement Team, Warning Issued on French ICO Major Financial Institutions Announce Crypto and Blockchain … Continue Reading

NFT Scandals Coincide with Increased Push for Crypto Regulation

By George Stamboulidis, Robert A. Musiala and Christina Gotsis on October 8, 2021 Posted in Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission, Uncategorized

Authorship credit: George A. Stamboulidis, Robert A. Musiala Jr., and Christina O. Gotsis Problems caused by the lack of regulation in NFT markets were clearly exposed just last month with the revelation of not one, but two NFT scandals involving the use of insider information to snag exclusive pieces and game the market. In early … Continue Reading

Market Updates in CBDCs, Crypto Funds, BD-ATS Platforms and Stablecoins; DOJ and CFTC Enforcement Continues; DeFi Error Releases Millions in Crypto

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Kayley Sullivan, Lauren Bass, Keith R. Murphy and Jordan R. Silversmith on October 1, 2021 Posted in Banking, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, Global, Government, NFTs

In this issue: • CBDCs Explored by the U.K., New Zealand and Major Payments Network • New Products Launch in Crypto Funds, BD-ATS Platforms and Stablecoins • Fashion, Sports, Graphic Novels and Art: NFT Market Continues to Expand • Crypto Enforcement: DOJ and CFTC Target Sanctions and Registration Violations • DeFi Error Releases Millions in … Continue Reading

Financial Institutions Pursue Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Offerings, US Treasury Sanctions Russian Crypto OTC Desk, Multiple DeFi Platforms Hacked

By Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick and Kayley Sullivan on September 24, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission

• Traditional Financial Firms Pursue Crypto and Blockchain Market Offerings • States Target Crypto Lending Platform, Alleging Securities Laws Violations • US Treasury Sanctions Russian Crypto OTC Desk, Issues Ransomware Advisory • Cryptocurrency Hackers Continue to Plague DeFi Platforms Traditional Financial Firms Pursue Crypto and Blockchain Market Offerings By Lauren Bass Earlier this week, a … Continue Reading

Market Initiatives Announced in Crypto Compliance, Digital Asset Exchange, Blockchain Enterprise Solutions and NFTs; SEC Chairman Comments on Crypto

By Robert A. Musiala, Kayley Sullivan, Veronica Reynolds and Keith R. Murphy on September 17, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission

• US Firm Acquires Crypto Co., Swiss Digital Asset Exchange Gains License • Enterprise Firms Announce Polygon Integration and Shipping Data Solution • NFT Sells for Record $1.1M, NFT Marketplace Exec Accused of Insider Trading • SEC Chairman Comments on Crypto Market in Senate Committee Speech • US Crypto Exchange Files with NFA, UK FCA … Continue Reading

NFT Market Expands in Alcohol, Athletics and Art; Regulators Warn Against Crypto Risks; U.S. Agencies Target Crypto Fraud

By Lauren Bass, Kayley Sullivan and Veronica Reynolds on September 10, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, NFT, Platforms

In this issue: • Alcohol, Athletics, and Art: NFT Adoption Continues to Expand • US, UK and Thailand Regulators Warn of Crypto Risks, Act Against Exchange • DOJ and SEC Actions Target Crypto Fraud Scheme and Crypto Exchanges Alcohol, Athletics, and Art: NFT Adoption Continues to Expand By Lauren Bass To celebrate National Rum Day, … Continue Reading

CBDC Initiatives Announced, NFTs Expand Across Markets, Token and Wallet Applications Evolve, SEC and DOJ Target Crypto Fraud, Crypto Hacks Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds, Jordan R. Silversmith and Teresa Goody Guillén on September 3, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Cybersecurity, Enforcement, NFT, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission, Uncategorized

In this issue: • CBDC Initiatives Announced, Blockchain Trade Finance Platform Launches • Baseball, Art, Politics, Commerce: NFT Market Continues to Expand • Gaming Token Shifts Away from Ethereum, MetaMask Announces 10M Users • BitConnect Charged in $2B Crypto Fraud, BitConnect Promoter Pleads Guilty • Seychelles Investigates Crypto Fraud, Singapore Issues Warning for Exchange • … Continue Reading

Cryptocurrency and NFT Market Growth Continues, Regulators Across Globe Target Crypto Industry as Threats Continue, Global Blockchain Survey Published

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Lauren Bass, Teresa Goody Guillén, Keith R. Murphy and Joanna F. Wasick on August 27, 2021 Posted in Banking, Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Cybersecurity, Enforcement, Global, NFT, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: •Crypto Market Develops in DeFi, Payments, Compliance and Consumer Adoption • Market Navigation, Fashion Metaverse, Online Tutorials: NFT Adoption Continues • Crypto Compliance Addressed by CFTC, Thai SEC, South Korea and UK FCA • SEC, DOJ and Ontario Securities Commission Bring Crypto Enforcement Actions • Reports Released on Crypto Scams and Malware, … Continue Reading

Crypto Adoption and AML Reports Published, NFT Market Growth Continues, Blockchain Cobalt Pilot Progresses, Crypto Exchange and DeFi Market Hacked

By Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Lauren Bass, Keith R. Murphy, Jordan R. Silversmith and Kayley Sullivan on August 20, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Global, NFTs, Ransomware, Supply Chain

In this issue: • Crypto Adoption Index Published, Regulators Address Crypto Across Globe •Design, Data and Digital Platforms: NFT Market Domination Continues • Blockchain Cobalt Tracing Pilot Launches, Ethereum-Based Networks to Merge • Bitcoin “Tumbler” Operator Pleads Guilty, Crypto AML Report Published • Cryptocurrency Exchange and DeFi Market Hacked, Crypto Malware Reported Crypto Adoption Index … Continue Reading

Crypto, CBDC and Blockchain Supply Chain Initiatives Announced; More SEC and FinCEN Enforcement; Crypto Tax Amendment Fails; DeFi Hacked for $600M

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick, Teresa Goody Guillén, Nicholas C. Mowbray and Kayley Sullivan on August 13, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, Platforms, Securities & Exchange Commission, Tax

In this issue: • Crypto Firms Pursue Bank Charters, Traditional Financial Firms Integrate Crypto • CBDC and Blockchain Remittance Initiatives Launch Across Foreign Markets • Blockchain Supply Chain Initiatives Launch Across Various Industries • SEC Charges DeFi Company and Digital Asset Exchange Platform • FinCEN Settles Enforcement Action Against Major Cryptocurrency Exchange • Senate Passes … Continue Reading

SEC Doubles Down on Crypto Enforcement

By John J. Carney, Teresa Goody Guillén, Adam Gale, Jonathan A. Forman and Michelle Tanney on August 10, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, Securities & Exchange Commission, White Collar

In a speech before the Aspen Security Forum on August 3, 2021, Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) Chair Gary Gensler urged lawmakers to provide him with the power to police cryptocurrency trading, referring to it as the “Wild West.”[1] While he noted that the views he was sharing were his own and not … Continue Reading

Cryptocurrency Payment Products and NFT Initiatives Launch, SEC Chairman Addresses Crypto, Pending Legislation Includes New Crypto Tax Reporting Rules

By Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds and Nicholas C. Mowbray on August 6, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, NFTs

In this issue: • New Crypto Products Launch in Payment Cards, Gold and Sandwiches • More NFTs Launch in Sports, Fashion, Gaming and Charity Auctions • SEC Chairman, Kentucky and UK Address Various Aspects of Crypto Industry • Proposed Legislation Expands Crypto Tax Reporting, Senators Seek Amendment New Crypto Products Launch in Payment Cards, Gold … Continue Reading

Regulator Seeks Comments on DeFi; Crypto Firms Announce Products, Licenses, DAO Application Updates; NFT Boom Continues; OFAC Adds Bitcoin Address

By Robert A. Musiala, Kayley Sullivan, Lauren Bass and Keith R. Murphy on July 30, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, FinTech

In this issue: • NCUA Seeks Comment on DeFi, Crypto Firms Launch Products, Gain Licenses • Reports Describe Developments in Decentralized Platforms and FinTech Funding • Fashion, Sports, Art and Music: the NFT Market Continues to Boom • OFAC Adds Bitcoin Address to SDN List, Anchorage Selected for USMS Services NCUA Seeks Comment on DeFi, … Continue Reading

New Stablecoin and CBDC Developments, Blockchain Enterprise Initiatives Announced, Crypto Financial Services Firm Targeted by State Regulators

By Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Jordan R. Silversmith, Keith R. Murphy and Kayley Sullivan on July 23, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • US Stablecoin Issuers Publish New Details on US Dollar Reserves • US Treasury, Bank of Canada and Academics Address Stablecoins and CBDCs • Australian and Georgian Governments Launch Blockchain Initiatives • Crypto Financial Services Firm Targeted by State Securities Regulators • SEC Enforcement Actions Target Cryptocurrency-Related Misrepresentations US Stablecoin Issuers Publish … Continue Reading

USDC Expands to New Blockchains, NFT Sales Continue, FATF Publishes Review of Crypto Standards, US and Global Crypto Enforcement Actions Continue

By Jordan R. Silversmith, Keith R. Murphy, Robert A. Musiala, Kayley Sullivan and Joanna F. Wasick on July 9, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFT

In this issue: • USDC Expands to 10 New Blockchains, Crypto Payment Initiatives Launch • NFT Sales Continue Across Sports and Art Markets • FATF Issues Review of Crypto Standards Amid Regulatory News in US and UK • Major Crypto Exchange Faces Global Scrutiny, Announces Compliance Efforts • DOJ Targets Unlicensed Crypto MSBs, Global Enforcement … Continue Reading

NFT Initiatives Continue, Blockchain Tracing Solutions Expand, SEC Targets ICO, Crypto Enforcement Data Published, Regulators Across Globe Address Crypto

By Veronica Reynolds, Jordan R. Silversmith, Teresa Goody Guillén, Joanna F. Wasick and Kayley Sullivan on June 25, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFTs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • NFT Initiatives Continue, Cryptocurrency Advertising Restrictions Ease • Blockchain Traceability Solutions Expand in Food, Shipping and Jewelry Sectors • SEC Settles ICO Fraud, US Crypto Enforcement Reaches $2.5 Billion • Regulators in Canada, UK and Portugal Address Cryptocurrency Market • China Crypto Crackdown Continues, South Korea Seizes Tax Evader Crypto NFT … Continue Reading