Tag Archives: SEC

Court Applies Single Scheme Theory To Grant the SEC’s Preliminary Injunction in Telegram Cryptocurrency Case

By John Harrington, John Gherlein, Teresa Goody Guillén, Jonathan A. Forman, Adam Gale and Robert A. Musiala on April 2, 2020 Posted in Cryptocurrency

On March 24, Judge P. Kevin Castel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) motion for a preliminary injunction in the closely followed Telegram case. The preliminary injunction continues to prevent the delivery by Telegram Group Inc. and TON Issuer (collectively, Telegram) of … Continue Reading

Token Litigation Cases Reach Milestones, Stablecoins and CBDCs Gain Attention, CFTC Approves Guidelines for ‘Actual Delivery’ of Virtual Currency

By Teresa Goody Guillén, Robert A. Musiala, Simone O. Otenaike and Jordan R. Silversmith on March 27, 2020 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • Telegram, Kik and Tezos Cases Reach Milestones in Blockchain Token Litigation • Stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies Gain Attention • CFTC Approves Guidelines for Delivery of Virtual Currencies, Web Browser Integrates Cryptocurrency Trading Telegram, Kik and Tezos Cases Reach Milestones in Blockchain Token Litigation By Teresa Goody Guillén and Robert … Continue Reading

New US Exchange Launches, India Court Rules in Favor of Crypto Exchanges, OFAC Adds 20 Bitcoin Addresses, DOJ Charges Chinese Nationals for Crypto Money Laundering

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Jordan R. Silversmith and Teresa Goody Guillén on March 6, 2020 Posted in Bitcoin, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • Exchanges Expand in US and Gibraltar; India Supreme Court Ruling Favors Industry • Crypto Custody Report Published, Power Plant Installs Mining Operation • 20 Bitcoin Addresses Added to OFAC List, DOJ Charges Detail $100 Million Crypto Hack • SEC Charges Actor Steven Seagal With Unlawful Touting of a Digital Asset Offering … Continue Reading

Making Sense of the Telegram Case

By Teresa Goody Guillén, Robert A. Musiala and Veronica Reynolds on February 27, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Securities & Exchange Commission

Multiple Parties Weigh In as the Courts Consider Whether a Blockchain Token Is a Security Overview of the Telegram Case Telegram, a global messaging platform, was founded by Russian brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov in 2013.[1] The platform is popular among cryptocurrency enthusiasts because of its libertarian roots, emphasis on privacy[2] and its group-chat feature, … Continue Reading

Blockchain 50 Published, Exchanges Expand Services, Enforcement Actions by SEC, CFTC and International Tax Authorities, Hacks Drive Losses

By Joanna F. Wasick, Jordan R. Silversmith and Brian P. Bartish on February 21, 2020 Posted in Enforcement, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • Forbes Publishes Blockchain 50, Cryptocurrency Exchanges Expand Services • SEC Settles Charges Involving ICO, CFTC Takes Action Against Crypto Investment Firm • Dutch Tax Authorities Make Arrests, IRS Summit to Address Cryptocurrencies • Manipulation, Hacks and System Errors Lead to Losses for Cryptocurrency Users and Exchanges Forbes Publishes Blockchain 50, Cryptocurrency … Continue Reading

SEC Commissioner Peirce Unveils ‘Token Safe Harbor Proposal’

By Teresa Goody Guillén and Robert A. Musiala on February 13, 2020 Posted in Securities & Exchange Commission

On Feb. 6, during a speech at the International Blockchain Congress in Chicago, SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce unveiled a proposed “safe harbor” that would seek to provide an exemption from the registration requirements of the federal securities laws for blockchain tokens that meet certain criteria. Before discussing the details of her proposed safe harbor, … Continue Reading

Foreign Regulators Issue Approvals and Guidance, SEC Enforcement Continues, Blockchain Trade Groups File Amicus Briefs, Reports Detail Terrorist Financing Risks

By Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick, Teresa Goody Guillén and Simone O. Otenaike on January 24, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • New Approvals From European and Thai Regulators, Canada and WEF Publish Guidance • SEC Targets ICOs, IRS Updates Crypto FAQs, UK Tax Agency Seeks Blockchain Analytics Tool • Chamber of Digital Commerce and Blockchain Association Weigh In on SEC v. Telegram • Reports Address Cryptocurrency Terrorist Financing Risks New Approvals From … Continue Reading

Invoices Paid on Ethereum, FINRA Application Approved, SEC/ICO Enforcement, Industry Launches Compliance Initiative

By Robert A. Musiala, Brian P. Bartish, Veronica Reynolds and Jonathan D. Blattmachr on October 4, 2019 Posted in ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • Smart Contracts Deployed by Icelandic Retailer, Blockchain for Sneakers and DHS • Cryptocurrency Service Providers Target Mainstream Investors, FINRA Application Approved • SEC, DOJ and State Agency Enforcement Actions for ICOs and Crypto Fraud Schemes • Regulatory Problems and Solutions in the Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Arena Smart Contracts Deployed by … Continue Reading

Interbank Settlement Initiative and Crypto Payment Solutions Expand, SEC and International Enforcement Actions Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Marc Powers and Joanna F. Wasick on September 20, 2019 Posted in Cryptocurrency, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • Blockchain Developments in Interbank Settlement, Capital Markets, Cryptocurrency Payments • Multiple SEC Enforcement Actions, New Treasury Sanctions, More Crypto-Mining Malware Detected • International Crypto Developments: Tax, FATF Compliance, Enforcement Actions Blockchain Developments in Interbank Settlement, Capital Markets, Cryptocurrency Payments By: Robert A. Musiala Jr. According to reports this week, a major … Continue Reading

Blockchain Developments: Energy Grids, Automobiles, Stablecoins, International Regulations, SEC Enforcement

By Simone O. Otenaike, Jonathan D. Blattmachr, Robert A. Musiala and Joanna F. Wasick on September 6, 2019 Posted in Blockchain, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • Blockchain Developments for Energy Grids, Automobiles, Enterprise Protocols • International Developments in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Regulation • NY DFS Approves Gold-Backed Stablecoin, Financial Institutions Pursue Blockchain Pilots • SEC Settles Charges, Treasury Hears Testimony, Cryptojacking Report Released Blockchain Developments for Energy Grids, Automobiles, Enterprise Protocols By: Simone O. Otenaike Earlier this … Continue Reading

Blockchain Applications Advance for Healthcare and Payments, CFTC Prioritizes Cryptocurrencies, QuadrigaCX Saga Continues

By Brian P. Bartish, Robert A. Musiala, Simone O. Otenaike and Joanna F. Wasick on February 15, 2019 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • Blockchain Initiatives in Healthcare and Other Industries Target Data Integrity, Speed and Analytics • Blockchain Payment Systems Announced by Major Banks and Online Payment Processors • Forthcoming SEC Guidance Confirmed, Initiatives Continue at Banks and Cryptocurrency Exchanges • CFTC Makes Cryptocurrency a Priority, Foreign Agencies Take Enforcement Action • QuadrigaCX Saga … Continue Reading

Blockchain for NASA and IoT, Developments in Crypto Products and Payments, Cryptocurrency Exchange Hacked

By Diana Stern, Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Jordan R. Silversmith, Simone O. Otenaike, Roger M. Brown and Nicholas C. Mowbray on January 18, 2019 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement

In this issue: • The Blockchain Effect: NASA, IoT, Supply Chain and State Initiatives • Blockchain Announcements From Traditional Financial Institutions and Emerging Platforms • Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Payment Providers Announce New Products • Cryptocurrency Exchange Hacked, Crypto-Malware and Wallet Vulnerabilities Exposed • International Regulators Target Cryptocurrency Exchanges, ICOs and Tax Compliance • Tax Analysis: … Continue Reading

New Blockchain Products, an FBI Raid, the $11 Billion Bitcoin Case, Hackers Strike With a 51 Percent Attack and Crypto Tax Analysis

By Simone O. Otenaike, Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Roger M. Brown, Heather K. P. Fincher and Nicholas C. Mowbray on January 11, 2019 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, Tax

In this issue: • New Cryptocurrency Financial Products and Platforms Announced • An FBI Raid, the $11 Billion Bitcoin Case, and Other Enforcement and Regulatory Actions in the U.S. and Abroad • Hackers Strike With 51 Percent Attack and Crypto-Mining Malware • Tax Analysis: Token Taxonomy Act Would Allow Tax-Free Exchanges of Virtual Currencies • … Continue Reading

Blockchain Developments: Government and Transport Sector Solutions, Legislation, Payment Applications and Global Enforcement Actions

By Diana Stern, Simone O. Otenaike, Jonathan D. Blattmachr, Joanna F. Wasick, Marc Powers, Roger M. Brown and Heather K. P. Fincher on December 14, 2018 Posted in Enforcement, Enterprise, Global, Government, Tax

In this issue: • Blockchain Transport Applications, Public Sector Initiatives, Protocol and Market Developments • Capital Markets Initiatives Continue as US Congress Issues New Research and Two New Bills • Blockchain Payments Networks Evolve, New Cryptocurrency Exchange Lands in US • SEC Achieves Settlements, FATF Evaluates UK, Regulator Actions in Denmark and New Zealand • Tax Analysis: Securitized Tokens Backed … Continue Reading

Ohio Accepting Bitcoin for Taxes, Multiple SEC and Financial Crime Developments, New Blockchain Capital Markets and Enterprise Initiatives

By Roger M. Brown, Heather K. P. Fincher, John Busch, Robert A. Musiala, Diana Stern and Jordan R. Silversmith on November 30, 2018 Posted in Cryptocurrency, ICOs

In this issue: • Satisfying Tax and Other Liabilities With Cryptocurrency • New SEC ICO Enforcement and Developments on Unregistered Securities, Fraud, Promotions and the Howey Test • International Crypto Crime Developments, OFAC Lists Bitcoin Addresses, Cyberattacks and Fraud Schemes Uncovered • Cryptocurrencies Continue to Permeate Capital Markets as Blockchain Permeates Settlement Systems • Blockchain … Continue Reading

Blockchain Developments: Bitcoin ATMs, Token Listings, Voting Pilots, Shipping Competition, Global Enforcement, Tax and More

By Joanna F. Wasick, Jonathan D. Blattmachr, Diana Stern, Simone O. Otenaike, Roger M. Brown and Heather K. P. Fincher on November 9, 2018 Posted in Banking, Bitcoin, Blockchain, ICOs

In this issue: • NY DFS Grants License to Bitcoin ATM Operator, Exchanges Make Announcements • Capital Markets Developments in Regulatory Guidance, Value of ICO Offerings and Banking • Blockchain Pilots for Voting and Supply Chain, Global Shipping Business Network Challenges TradeLens • Multiple Enforcement Actions in US and Abroad Seek to Quell Blockchain Industry … Continue Reading

SEC Launches FinHub, FATF Publishes Guidance, Futures and Stablecoin Markets Mature

By Taylor Thompson, Jonathan D. Blattmachr and Joanna F. Wasick on October 26, 2018 Posted in Capital Markets Offerings, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • SEC Launches FinHub, FATF Revises Cryptocurrency Guidance • Capital Markets Developments in Futures, Stablecoins, Custody, ICOs • Blockchain Enterprise Developments for Gold, Ports, BaaS and Developers SEC Launches FinHub, FATF Revises Cryptocurrency Guidance By: Taylor Thompson On Oct. 18, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the creation of the Strategic … Continue Reading

Blockchain Developments: Government, Wine, Journalism, Asset-Backed Tokens, SEC Enforcement and More

By Taylor Thompson, Simone O. Otenaike, Robert A. Musiala and Marc Powers on October 12, 2018 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • U.S. and International Governments Address Smart Ports, Smart Cities, and Cryptocurrencies • Blockchain Enterprise Developments in Wine, Journalism, Real Estate and Mining • Blockchain Tokens Backed by Real-World Assets Appear to Grow in Popularity • SEC Enforcement Actions Announced, New Data on Cryptocurrency Hacks Published U.S. and International Governments Address Smart … Continue Reading

Global Blockchain Developments in Enforcement, Payments, ICOs and Enterprise

By Simone O. Otenaike, Njeri Chasseau, Robert A. Musiala and Panida A. Pollawit on October 5, 2018 Posted in Blockchain, Enforcement, ICOs

In this issue: • Cryptocurrency Enforcement Actions Continue Across the Globe • Multiple Blockchain Announcements for Asset-Backed Tokens, Payments and Exchanges • Lawmakers Seek Clarity on ICOs as New Research Is Published • Enterprise Developments: Blockchain Interoperability, Supply Chain, Identity and More Cryptocurrency Enforcement Actions Continue Across the Globe By: Panida A. Pollawit On Friday, … Continue Reading

Hard for ICOs to Avoid US Courts: Personal Jurisdiction Found in Two Recent Securities Cases Over Foreign ICO Defendants

By Marc Powers and Jonathan A. Forman on September 27, 2018 Posted in ICOs

Over the past year, the plaintiffs’ bar and Securities and the Exchange Commission (SEC) have brought class and enforcement action proceedings, respectively, against those involved with the issuance and marketing of initial coin offerings (ICOs), including those located outside the United States. The proceedings involving foreign defendants present the interesting and threshold issue in these … Continue Reading

Stablecoins Launch in US Amid Multiple Securities Enforcement Actions and Bid to Repurpose DoD Data Center for Cryptocurrency Mining

By Brian P. Bartish, Robert A. Musiala, Njeri Chasseau, Jaime B. Petenko and Melonia A. Bennett on September 14, 2018 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • Stablecoins Launch in US as New Data Cites Drop in ICO Funding • SEC and FINRA Issue First-of-Their-Kind Enforcement Actions • Blockchain Enterprise Developments: Mining, Digital Identities and Food Supply Chain • Cryptocurrencies Continue to Enter Traditional Areas of Financial Crimes Stablecoins Launch in US as New Data Cites Drop in … Continue Reading