On Tuesday, 18 October 2022, the European Commission (“the Commission”) published a communication setting out an EU Action Plan for Digitalising the Energy System. Amongst initiatives focussed on improving the functioning of the EU’s energy markets, such as the creation of a common European energy data space, improving strategic European coordination for energy markets, promoting … Continue Reading
On 11 October 2022, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a consultative report which sets out a number of proposed recommendations to promote the consistency and comprehensiveness of regulatory, supervisory and oversight approaches to crypto-asset activities and markets intended to strengthen international cooperation, coordination and information sharing. The recommendations apply to any type of crypto-asset … Continue Reading
In this post, we summarise the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill (the Bill) which was published on 22 September 2022 and the significant reform proposed to the role of Companies House. The Bill proposes giving Companies House improved investigation and enforcement powers and makes changes to strengthen regulators’ powers to seize and detain … Continue Reading
In recent years, the UK government has been seeking to tackle ever-growing financial crime and money laundering. In this post, we summarise the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill (the Bill) published on 22 September 2022 as well the expansion of the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) investigative powers under the Bill in an effort to … Continue Reading
In June, HM Treasury issued its response to its October 2021 consultation on amendments to the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLRs 2017). The response contained a number of updates to the MLRs 2017 which, for the most part, come into force on 1 September 2022. … Continue Reading
On 8 August 2022, the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce published a public consultation on the issuance and transfer of digital securities under English private law. In November 2018, the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce published its Legal Settlement on the Status of Cryptoassets and Smart Contracts. The Legal Settlement expressed the view that cryptoassets were property and smart … Continue Reading
Vladimir_Consulting_Limited_v_The_Financial_Conduct_Authority.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) Introduction The business of Vladimir Consulting Limited (VCL) involved trading in cryptocurrency such as bitcoin on peer-to-peer exchanges which provide a market place for sellers and buyers of cryptocurrency. The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLRs) were amended with effect from 10 January 2020 … Continue Reading
On 13 July 2022, the House of Commons’ Treasury Committee launched a new inquiry into crypto-assets. In this inquiry, the Committee will examine the potential risks and opportunities associated with the use of crypto-assets, their impact on social inclusivity and the possible need for regulatory change in the future. The Committee requests written evidence submissions … Continue Reading
On 12 July 2022, the Bank of England (BoE) published a speech by Sir Jon Cunliffe regarding lessons learned from the recent instability and losses in crypto markets (crypto winter). Sir Jon notes that in recent months there has been a dramatic bout of instability and losses in crypto markets – dubbed by some commentators … Continue Reading
On 11 July 2022, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a statement on international regulation and supervision of crypto-asset activities. Key points from the statement include: Crypto-assets and markets must be subject to effective regulation and oversight commensurate to the risks they pose, both at domestic and international level. Crypto-asset service providers must at all … Continue Reading
On 7 July 2022, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) issued its Crypto-Asset Roadmap for 2022-2023. The Roadmap sets out IOSCO’s policy agenda and work program for the crypto-asset sector over the next 12 to 24 months. Earlier this year IOSCO established a board-level fintech taskforce (FTF) which was mandated to develop, oversee, deliver … Continue Reading
On 30 June 2022, the Council Presidency and the European Parliament reached provisional agreement on the Regulation on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA). MiCA is part of a broader package of measures to boost digital finance in the EU. The package also includes: A regulation on digital operational resilience (DORA) was agreed in March. DLT pilot … Continue Reading
On 29 June 2022, the FCA published the key themes emerging from its first policy-focused CryptoSprint events in May and June 2022. The main aim of the CryptoSprint was for the FCA to increase its understanding of emerging cryptoasset market practices and seek industry views on what an appropriate regulatory regime might look like. At … Continue Reading
The latest post from our firm’s banking and commercial disputes blog, Inside Disputes, discusses causes of action that may arise from both algorithmic and traditional asset-backed stablecoins, and highlights the key litigation challenges in respect of blockchain technology.… Continue Reading
On 12 May 2022, the FCA published a new webpage regarding the two-day CryptoSprint event that it held recently which explored how cryptoassets could be regulated in the UK. Over the event, participants worked in mixed-discipline teams to explore some of the challenges facing the industry, including how the FCA can support and balance innovation … Continue Reading
On 21 April 2022, the Council of the EU published a table regarding the proposed Regulation on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets (recast). The table has three columns setting out the European Commission’s proposal and the European Parliament and Council mandates.… Continue Reading
Introduction On 4 April 2022, HM Treasury published a response to its earlier consultation and call for evidence on the UK regulatory approach to cryptoassets, stablecoins and distributed ledger technology (DLT) in financial markets. Through its consultation, the government proposed a staged and proportionate approach to cryptoasset regulation, which is sensitive to risks posed and … Continue Reading
On 1 April 2022, the Council of the EU published a three-column table to commence trilogues on the proposed Regulation on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA). The table shows the position adopted by the European Commission, European Parliament and the Council on MiCA.… Continue Reading
On 30 March 2022, the FCA updated its webpage concerning its role as the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing supervisor of UK cryptoasset businesses under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017. Specifically, the FCA has provided an update on the temporary registration regime for cryptoasset businesses … Continue Reading
On 24 March 2022, the FCA published a statement regarding the existing obligation that all FCA regulated firms have when interacting with or exposed to cryptoassets. Some areas of risks that need to be considered are: Being clear with customers – firms are responsible for identifying and managing risks relating to cryptoassets and firms must … Continue Reading
On 24 March 2022, the PRA published a Dear CEO letter it had sent to dual regulated firms concerning how the prudential framework applies to ensure that firms engaging in crypto activity manage the risks in a way that supports the firm’s safety and soundness. The PRA has issued this Dear CEO letter as it … Continue Reading
On 24 March 2022, the Bank of England (BoE) published, ‘Financial Stability in Focus: Cryptoassets and decentralised finance (DeFi)’ which sets out the Financial Policy Committee’s (FPCs) view on specific topics which relate to financial stability. The publication focuses on: the role of cryptoassets and decentralised finance in the financial system; financial stability implications of … Continue Reading
On 18 March 2022, the House of Lords (Economic Affairs Committee) published the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) and HM Treasury’s (HMT’s) response to the Lords’ Economic Affairs Committee report ‘Central bank digital currencies (CBDC): a solution in search of a problem?’ The taskforce comprising of the BoE and HM Treasury was established in 2021 to … Continue Reading
On 15 March 2022, the Financial Markets Law Committee published a letter that it had sent to HM Treasury highlighting some examples of legal uncertainty as regards the proposals in HM Treasury’s response to its 2020 consultation on cryptoasset promotions and the FCA’s consultation on strengthening financial promotion rules for high-risk investments, including cryptoassets.… Continue Reading
