The regulatory perimeter continues to expand as the Securities and Futures Commission introduces a comprehensive regime to regulate virtual asset service providers. By Simon Hawkins and Adrian Fong In December 2022, Hong Kong passed the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill 2022 (Amendment Bill), which will establish a new licensing regime and statutory framework … Continue Reading
A legislative initiative in Illinois would establish licensing and consumer protection requirements for digital asset businesses serving consumers in the state. By Jack Barber, Parag Patel, Arthur S. Long, John J. Sikora, Stephen P. Wink, Pia Naib, and Deric Behar On February 21, 2023, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced the Consumer … Continue Reading
The Guidance clarifies the regulator’s expectations on safekeeping customer digital assets, and the disclosures that must accompany such arrangements. By Arthur S. Long, Parag Patel, Marlon Q. Paz, Yvette D. Valdez, Barrie VanBrackle, Pia Naib, Donald Thompson, and Deric Behar On January 23, 2023, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) published Guidance on Custodial … Continue Reading
Digital asset activities of licensed institutions must be approved and will be assessed for potential safety and soundness risks. By Arthur S. Long, Pia Naib, and Deric Behar On December 15, 2022, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) issued final guidance to covered institutions engaging in (or seeking to engage in) virtual currency-related … Continue Reading
Consumers and service providers should take note of some of the enhanced risks upon an e-money institution’s insolvency. By Hongbei Li Technology is rapidly changing the way customers and businesses interact with financial systems. Fintech companies are a driving force behind the disruption of traditional banking and payment services, with regulatory innovation close behind. In … Continue Reading
Hong Kong’s Core Climate aims to facilitate trading of carbon credits, while the Hub plans to expedite Singapore’s ESG ecosystem growth. By Farhana Sharmeen, Paul A. Davies, and James Bee On 28 October 2022, the Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing Limited (HKEX) launched Core Climate, Hong Kong’s International Carbon Marketplace. The birth of Core Climate … Continue Reading
The latest statements from the government and regulators indicate that Hong Kong is moving forward with enhancing its virtual asset regulatory and legal regime. By Simon Hawkins and Adrian Fong The Hong Kong government and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced their policy stances and further measures to support the development of virtual assets (VA) in … Continue Reading
The agency just revived its dormant authority to supervise nonbank financial entities that it determines pose risk to consumers. By Matt Hays, Benjamin Naftalis, Parag Patel, Barrie VanBrackle, and Deric Behar On April 25, 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — the US government agency established under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer … Continue Reading
The HKMA introduces a new data sharing initiative, reported on the central bank digital currency initiative, and outlined regtech plans. By Simon Hawkins, Kieran Donovan, and Kenneth Y.F. Hui The fifth annual Hong Kong Fintech Week conference kicked off with speeches and panels from both Hong Kong and international regulatory representatives, in addition to key … Continue Reading
The proposed regulation will provide greater consumer and investor protection and lessen the risks of participating in digital finance. By Stuart Davis The EU Commission has published a proposal for a wide-ranging EU regulation covering cryptoassets and e-money tokens, both of which are currently largely unaddressed in EU financial services legislation. The draft Markets in … Continue Reading
HM Treasury is planning significant changes to the financial promotion regime, including expanding its scope to certain cryptoassets, and amending the approval process for promotions of unauthorised firms. By Stuart Davis, Sam Maxson, and Anna Lewis-Martinez On 20 July 2020, HM Treasury published two consultation papers on a regulatory framework for approval of financial promotions … Continue Reading
The Fintech Strategic Review aims to ensure the ongoing growth and success of UK fintech as a world leader in financial innovation. By Stuart Davis and Anna Lewis-Martinez On 20 July 2020, HM Treasury announced the launch of an independent review into the UK’s fintech industry to “identify opportunities to support further growth in the … Continue Reading
Bank for International Settlements selects Bank of England as UK centre to host new fintech hub. By Stuart Davis, Brett Carr, and Sam Maxson On 30 June 2020, the Bank of England announced that it had been selected to host a centre of the Bank for International Settlements’ Innovation Hub. The UK centre will support … Continue Reading
Latham Fintech partner Jenny Cieplak discussed consortium governance on a panel hosted by WEF at the Consensus: Distributed Conference. Jenny Cieplak, a member of Latham & Watkins’ Fintech Industry Group, recently discussed blockchain consortia governance issues as part of a panel hosted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the Consensus: Distributed conference. A replay … Continue Reading
Call for input: market players need to engage with the process for the procurement of the NPA By Stuart Davis, David Little, Christian McDermott, Brett Carr, and Nathan Wilkins This Call for Input is part of the development of the Payment Systems Regulator’s (PSR) policy for the future regulation of the newly procured New Payments … Continue Reading
The US derivatives regulator continues to foster FinTech adoption and leadership in US markets. By Yvette D. Valdez, Douglas K. Yatter, and Deric Behar The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has affirmed its commitment to engaging the fast-moving financial technology world by elevating its LabCFTC unit to be an independent operating office within the … Continue Reading
SFC outlines new regulatory framework for virtual asset trading platforms, HKMA highlights recent FinTech initiatives, and PBOC discusses China’s forthcoming central bank digital currency. By Simon Hawkins and Kenneth Y.F. Hui The fourth annual Hong Kong FinTech Week conference kicked off with a major announcement from Mr. Ashley Alder, Chief Executive Officer of the Securities … Continue Reading
In line with its previous guidance, FINRA has granted broker-dealer (but not custodian) status to a digital asset platform. By Stephen P. Wink, Cameron R. Kates, Shaun Musuka, and Deric Behar In a follow-up to the July 2019 SEC and FINRA joint staff statement (Joint Statement) clarifying the regulators’ position on the custody of digital … Continue Reading
Latham & Watkins lawyers provide an in-depth look at the regulation of cryptoasset trading platforms in key jurisdictions. By Todd Beauchamp, Nozomi Oda, Yvette D. Valdez, Stephen P. Wink, and Simon Hawkins Cryptoasset trading is a fast-growing part of the financial sector. Some countries have wholeheartedly embraced cryptoassets; others have been more reticent to permit … Continue Reading
If adopted efficiently, the PCPD’s Ethical Accountability Framework should help organizations to demonstrate and enhance trust with individuals. By Kieran Donovan In October, 2018, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) presented the findings of an inquiry into the ethics of data processing, commissioned by the PCPD with the help of the Information Accountability … Continue Reading
By Andrew C. Moyle, Grace Erskine, and Charlotte Collins As leading global financial and FinTech centres, the UK and Singapore will benefit from strengthening their cybersecurity alliance. On 13 June 2019, the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore announced that they will be working together to strengthen cybersecurity … Continue Reading
Report highlights key strengths and regulatory innovations to inform stakeholders for trade and investment. By Laura Holden and Nootan Vegad The Department for International Trade, with the support of Innovate Finance, has published a report titled the “FinTech State of the Nation”. Providing an overview of the UK’s FinTech industry and highlighting the UK’s appeal … Continue Reading
Federal court allows NYSDFS lawsuit against OCC FinTech charter to proceed, raising further questions about the charter’s viability. By Alan W. Avery, Todd Beauchamp, Loyal T. Horsley, Pia Naib, and Charles Weinstein In a May 2 order, US District Court Judge Victor Marrero rejected the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC’s) recent motion … Continue Reading
The guidelines create new obligations for financial, payment, and electronic money institutions that will impact cloud outsourcing and deployment of FinTech. By Fiona M. Maclean and Laura Holden On 25 February 2019, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published a final report on its draft guidelines on outsourcing arrangements (Guidelines). The report followed the EBA’s publication … Continue Reading
