Introduction In a landmark decision on the legal status of digital assets in Hong Kong handed down on 31 March 2023, the Court of First Instance, in Re Gatecoin Limited[1], has ruled that cryptocurrencies satisfy the definition of “property” under Hong Kong law and are capable of being held on trust. The case arose in connection … Continue Reading
On October 3, 2022, the US Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced that it charged Kim Kardashian for failing to disclose her interest in the promotion of a crypto asset on social media, resulting in a settlement of USD 1.26 million. In its brief decision, the SEC explained that Ms. Kardashian failed to disclose the approximately … Continue Reading
Regardless of your position on whether cryptocurrency is a legitimate method of payment, you can’t deny its permeation into mainstream society recently. From donations to Ottawa “freedom” protests[1] to countries approving bitcoin as legal tender,[2] the use of cryptocurrency is emerging beyond the dark web. But with use comes misuse. In 2021, there were an … Continue Reading
Que l’on croit ou non qu’elle constitue un mode de paiement légitime, on ne peut nier que la cryptomonnaie s’insinue récemment dans la société en général. En effet, qu’elle serve à des dons pour les « manifestations pour la liberté » à Ottawa[1] ou encore que des pays approuvent le bitcoin en tant que monnaie légale[2], la … 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
Once a far-off concept, digital assets, including cryptocurrency, have grown dramatically, achieving over US$3 trillion in value last November with no signs of slowing. Extraterritorial application of foreign laws is an emerging concern as cryptocurrency regulations take shape in other countries, notably the United States. While cryptocurrency regulations have yet to develop in Canada, Canadian … Continue Reading
Autrefois un concept obscur, les actifs numériques, dont les cryptomonnaies, ont connu une croissance spectaculaire, réalisant une valeur de plus de 3 T$ US en novembre dernier sans le moindre signe de ralentissement. L’application extraterritoriale des lois étrangères est une préoccupation émergente alors que des règlements sur les cryptomonnaies sont mis en œuvre dans d’autres pays, notamment … Continue Reading
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) have shone a light on the risks associated with crypto-assets in a statement issued on 13 March 2019, calling on banks who acquire exposures to crypto-assets to take appropriate and specific measures to mitigate such risks. The BCBS is the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation … Continue Reading
The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance recently conducted a consultation on a draft decree, aimed at imposing registration requirements on virtual currency operators. These measures reflect a decree passed last year, in the context of implementation of Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, whereby Italian lawmakers anticipated some of the topics that were still under discussion … Continue Reading
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released its updated guidance with respect to the treatment of initial coin offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrencies. In its updated Information Sheet (INFO 225), the corporate regulator has clearly outlined its intent to crack down on any misleading or deceptive conduct by ICO issuers and cryptocurrency traders. Misleading … Continue Reading
Increasingly, clients are coming to us for regulatory advice surrounding the mining of cryptocurrency tokens, operating digital currency exchanges, raising funds through Initial Coin Offerings, and investments involving cryptocurrencies. On the heels of such heightened interest in investing in cryptocurrencies, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has released their guidance with respect to Listed Investment Companies … Continue Reading
