An investigation by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has led to the halt and unwinding of an initial coin offering (ICO) by Black Cell Technology Limited (Black Cell) to the Hong Kong public on the basis that Black Cell potentially engaged in unauthorized promotional and unlicensed regulated activities. Black Cell promoted the token … Continue Reading
The SEC recently adopted rules that allow companies to offer and sell securities through crowdfunding. The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), enacted in 2012, established a regulatory framework for startups and small businesses to raise capital through securities offerings using crowdfunding. The SEC’s rules that implement this framework, referred to as … Continue Reading
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has issued Regulatory Notice 15-33, which provides guidance on prudent practices that broker-dealers should consider and implement in order to effectively manage liquidity. In its notice, FINRA stressed that failure to manage liquidity has contributed to firm failures as well as wide spread systemic crises. The notice described a review … Continue Reading
The FINRA Board of Governors (the “Board”) met last week to discuss a number of upcoming rule proposals and initiatives, many which focus on high-frequency trading and market transparency. FINRA Chairman and CEO Rick Ketchum stated that he believes these proposals address Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Chair Mary Jo White’s call to action for … Continue Reading
This Summer, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted long-awaited rules on cross-border security-based swap activities. The SEC’s rules provide: 1) an explanation of when a cross-border transaction must be counted towards the requirement to register as a security-based swap dealer (SBSD) or major security-based swap participant (MSBSP), including transactions guaranteed by a US person … Continue Reading
On August 29, 2014, the SEC announced a whistleblower award of more than $300,000 to a company employee who performed audit and compliance functions and reported wrongdoing to the SEC after the individual’s employer failed to take action after the misconduct was reported internally by the employee. The employee disclosed the information to the SEC … Continue Reading
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has proposed to extend temporary Rule 206(3)-3T under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) from December 31, 2014 until December 31, 2016. Rule 206(3)-3T establishes an alternative means for registered investment advisers that are also registered as broker-dealers (“Dual Registrants”) to meet the requirements of Section … Continue Reading
