Tag Archives: NFTs

A Legal Practitioner’s Guide to NFTs, Digital Advertising and Media

By Robert A. Musiala, Amy Ralph Mudge, Lauren Bass and Linda A. Goldstein on June 23, 2022 Posted in NFT, NFTs

In 2021, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) generated overall sales of close to $25 billion and became one of the year’s most defining cultural phenomena. This trend has continued with NFT sales topping $2 billion in the first quarter of 2022. In an effort to engage audiences and produce secondary revenue streams, brands—in sectors ranging from fashion … 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

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

Crypto Products and Mining Initiatives Launch; Sports and Spirits Firms Embrace Blockchain; US Agencies Seek Crypto Input, Address Risks, Target Crimes

By Robert A. Musiala, Keith R. Murphy, Lauren Bass, Kayley Sullivan, Joanna F. Wasick and Alex Karambelas on May 20, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • New European Crypto ETF Launches, Bitcoin Mining Sees Wider Adoption• Sports Leagues and Alcohol Brands Expand Blockchain Partnerships• Congress Addresses CBDC, Commerce Dept. Seeks Input on Digital Assets• SEC and FinCEN Officials Comment on Cryptocurrency Sector Risks• US Law Enforcement Targets Crypto Scams and Sanctions Evasion New European Crypto ETF Launches, … 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

Banks and Retailers Embrace Crypto, Bitcoin Environmental Costs Debated, New NFT Initiatives Launch, Various Agencies Address Crypto, DeFi Hacks Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Maria Luevano, Joanna F. Wasick, Keith R. Murphy, Teresa Goody Guillén and Alex Karambelas on May 6, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • Banks and Retailers Venture Further into Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain• Congress Spars with Industry on Environmental Impact of Bitcoin Mining• New NFT Offerings Revealed by Entertainment, Social and Crypto Companies• FinCEN Director and NY DFS Address Cryptocurrency Risks• DOJ Targets Crypto Fraud, SEC Doubles Crypto Staff, JF Issues NFT Red Flags• Hackers … 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

Crypto and NFT Pilots Launch Across Industries; Paper Analyzes Bitcoin Use in El Salvador; Crypto Enforcement Continues in US; New Foreign Crypto Regs

By Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Lauren Bass, Teresa Goody Guillén, Jordan R. Silversmith and Maria Luevano on April 29, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • Crypto Pilots Launch in Social Media, 401(k) Plans and Municipal Bitcoin Mining• NBER Publishes Paper Analyzing Bitcoin Usage in El Salvador• Brands Enter NFT Market Across Industries, New NFT Platforms Launch• Crypto Firm Enters AML Consent Order; Stablecoins and Wallets in Focus• Foreign Governments Publish New Crypto Legislation and Policy Papers• … Continue Reading

NFT Initiatives Continue; EU Issues Blockchain Healthcare Report; Crypto Addressed by Various US Regulators; State Actions Target Bitcoin ATMs, NFTs

By Robert A. Musiala, Lauren Bass, Alex Karambelas, Teresa Goody Guillén and Christina Gotsis on April 15, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • Sports Teams and Messaging Apps Go All-In on NFTs, Potential Hack Foiled• Report on Blockchain in the European Healthcare Sector Published• US Treasury Secretary, FDIC, Acting Comptroller and EU Address Crypto• State Enforcement Actions Target Bitcoin ATM Operator and NFT Sellers Sports Teams and Messaging Apps Go All-In on NFTs, Potential … 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

Financial Firms Continue Expanding into Cryptocurrency Markets; Crypto Donations Reach Ukraine; DOJ Crypto Enforcement Continues; SEC Probes NFTs

By Robert A. Musiala, Alex Karambelas, Keith R. Murphy and Teresa Goody Guillén on March 4, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: Traditional Financial Firms Expand Reach into Cryptocurrency Sphere Cryptocurrency Donations Pour In to Fund Ukrainian Government and Charities DOJ Secures Guilty Pleas and Charges Alleged Ponzi Scheme; SEC Launches NFT Probe… 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

Banks to Use Blockchain for FX; Avalanche Adds USDC; NFT Boom Continues; Regulators Address Crypto Ads, Derivatives; Reports Address Crypto Threats

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Lauren Bass and Keith R. Murphy on December 17, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFTs

• Banks to Use Blockchain for FX Settlement, Avalanche Network Adds USDC • From Auctions to Venture Capital, NFTs Continue to Generate Millions • IMF Calls for Crypto Regs, UK Bans Ads, ISDA Addresses Crypto Derivatives • Cryptocurrency Exchange Hacked for $77M; Reports Discuss Crypto Threats Banks to Use Blockchain for FX Settlement, Avalanche Network … Continue Reading

US Financial Services Firms Announce Crypto Initiatives; Crypto Firms Pursue LATAM Market; Products Launch in DAOs, NFTs; Exchange Hacked for $200M

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Joanna F. Wasick and Lauren Bass on December 10, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, FinTech, NFTs

• Multiple US Financial Services Firms Announce Cryptocurrency Initiatives • Crypto Firms Pursue LATAM Market, Launch Cold Storage and DAO Products • New NFT Initiatives by Beer Co., Crypto Exchange; NFT Market Report Published • Crypto Exchange Hacked for $200M, Lawsuit Targets Crypto Malware Botnet Multiple US Financial Services Firms Announce Cryptocurrency Initiatives By Robert … Continue Reading

Financial Firms Plan Decentralized Exchange, Launch Digital Bond; NFTs Launch in Sports, Fashion; Blockchain Tracing Solutions Launch; OCC Clarifies Crypto Guidance for Banks

By Robert A. Musiala, Kayley Sullivan, Keith R. Murphy, Lauren Bass and Joanna F. Wasick on December 3, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, NFTs

• US and Swiss Financial Firms Announce Decentralized Exchange, Digital Bond • Sports and Fashion NFTs Launch; Food Delivery Service Adds Bitcoin Rewards • Blockchain Solutions Track Data for Carbon Footprints, Medical Supplies, Wine • OCC Letter Clarifies Crypto Guidance for Banks, IRS Reports Crypto Seizures US and Swiss Financial Firms Announce Decentralized Exchange, Digital … Continue Reading

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

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

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