In the latest in our podcast series, Split the difference, which explores divergence between the EU and UK regulatory regimes in the markets space, Hannah Meakin, Albert Weatherill, Floortje Nagelkerke and Anna Carrier explore some of the markets dimensions of the regulatory reforms involving cryptoassets.… Continue Reading
This note provides a high-level comparison of some of the key areas of MiCA and the HMT Proposals. It is relevant to participants in EU and UK cryptoasset markets, including service providers and issuers, as well as institutional and retail investors. Readers should note that, since neither regime has been finalised yet, there may be … Continue Reading
By now you may have had the chance to review in greater detail the proposals published by HM Treasury on 1 February 2023 setting out the future direction of the UK’s regulatory framework for cryptoassets. If you haven’t you can read our summary here and our online briefing note here. Many in the industry are … Continue Reading
We have published a new briefing note, ‘HM Treasury consults on next steps for the regulation of cryptoassets‘. The note looks at HM Treasury’s Consultation Paper on its proposed next steps for cryptoassets.… Continue Reading
Introduction On 1 February 2023, HM Treasury issued its latest proposals concerning the regulation of cryptoassets. These proposals build on HM Treasury’s previous work which focused on stablecoins and the financial promotion of cryptoassets. They deliver on the government’s announcement last April setting out plans for the UK to become a global hub for cryptoasset … Continue Reading
On Friday 25 November 2022, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill (the Bill) entered Parliament. The Committee Stage (Commons) was brought to a conclusion on Tuesday 29 November 2022. The Bill, as amended by the Public Bill Committee, was published on 30 November 2022. The Bill proposes various reforms designed to reduce economic and … 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 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
Germany further broadens the scope of its new legislative regime for electronic securities: On 18 June 2022, the German Regulation on Crypto Fund Units (Verordnung über Kryptofondsanteile – KryptoFAV; link) entered into force. The KryptoFAV introduces the possibility to issue units in common funds (Sondervermögen) via decentralised crypto securities registers which are typically based on distributed ledger … 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
The European Insurance and Occupational Pension Authority (EIOPA) has published its feedback statement on its 2021 discussion paper on blockchain and smart contracts in insurance. EIOPA received a number of responses to its earlier paper and has summarised these in the statement. Stakeholders were able to identify a number of use cases for blockchain. The … 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
