The Staff Statement provides clarity that Proof-of-Work crypto mining does not involve securities, reducing regulatory uncertainty and enforcement risks for miners.
By Jenny Cieplak, Zachary Fallon, Stephen P. Wink, Connor Jobes, and Deric Behar
On March 20, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Division of Corporation Finance (the Staff) published a Statement on Certain Proof-of-Work…
New FDIC guidance permits crypto activities by supervised institutions without prior approval, emphasizing risk management and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
By Arthur S. Long, Parag Patel, Pia Naib, and Deric Behar
On March 28, 2025, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a Financial Institution Letter (FIL-7-2025) that provides new guidance for FDIC-supervised institutions engaging…
An executive order and related legislation centralizes Bitcoin and digital asset holdings across the federal government to optimize oversight and management of crypto as a US reserve asset.
By Jenny Cieplak, Zachary Fallon, Arthur S. Long, Yvette D. Valdez, Stephen P. Wink, Connor Jobes, and Deric Behar
On March 6, 2025, President Trump issued…
In a break from restrictive Biden-era policies, OCC-supervised banks may now engage in crypto without supervisory nonobjection, potentially opening new avenues for innovation.
By Arthur S. Long, Parag Patel, Pia Naib, and Deric Behar
On March 7, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reaffirmed that national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks)…
The Staff stated that most meme coins are not subject to federal securities laws or SEC fraud enforcement; who will oversee meme coins remains an open question.
By Jenny Cieplak, Zachary Fallon, Ghaith Mahmood, Yvette D. Valdez, Stephen P. Wink, and Deric Behar
On February 27, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Division of…
Stablecoin regulation is a top priority for lawmakers, and three recent proposals reflect differing perspectives on how to achieve regulatory clarity while balancing safety and innovation.
By Jenny Cieplak, Arthur Long, Yvette D. Valdez, Stephen P. Wink, Pia Naib, Connor Jobes, and Deric Behar
In the wake of President Trump’s executive order on digital…
The new unit aims to protect retail investors and foster innovation by addressing cyber-related misconduct and emerging technology fraud.
By Margaret Graham, Michael H. Rubin, Nathan H. Seltzer, and Douglas K. Yatter
On February 20, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the establishment of the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU), which will focus on…
The SEC’s move is part of a recent shift toward a less enforcement-centric approach that is set to reshape the regulatory framework for digital assets in the US.
By Stephen P. Wink, Naim Culhaci, and Deric Behar
On February 20, 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voluntarily dismissed its appeal against a pair of related decisions…
In an opinion post for a16z crypto, Latham lawyer Jenny Cieplak calls for a new regulatory approach for tokenized securities.
A significant number of projects over the past several years have “tokenized” so-called real world assets, turning more than $20 billion in everything from debt to diamonds and more into tokens. Tokenization may sound like some kind…
Commissioner Hester Peirce outlined 10 priorities for the Crypto Task Force, aiming for regulatory clarity while promoting innovation in digital asset markets.
By Jenny Cieplak, Zachary Fallon, Yvette D. Valdez, Stephen P. Wink, and Deric Behar
On February 4, 2025, Commissioner Hester Peirce, leader of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) newly established Crypto Task Force…
The NYAG’s action highlights various pitfalls in the MCA space, underscoring the importance of proper structuring and marketing of merchant cash advances.
By Parag Patel, Mik Bushinski, Connor Jobes, and Deric Behar
On January 22, 2025, New York Attorney General (NYAG) Letitia James announced a judgment and settlement against cash advance provider Yellowstone Capital, its officers, and…
With its pro-crypto stance and urgent posture, the executive order promises to make the US the “crypto capital of the planet.”
By Jenny Cieplak, Zachary Fallon, Arthur Long, Yvette D. Valdez, Stephen P. Wink, Douglas K. Yatter, and Deric Behar
On January 23, 2025, President Trump issued a highly anticipated executive order on digital…
