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
The US Treasury opens a Pandora’s box of legal issues as it targets a decentralized finance protocol used for both licit and illicit means. By Eric Volkman and Deric Behar On August 8, 2022, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against decentralized virtual currency “mixer” Tornado Cash (and … Continue Reading
The CFTC issues stringent guidelines for FCMs seeking to custody digital assets in connection with physically delivered futures contracts or swaps. By Yvette D. Valdez, Adam Bruce Fovent, and Deric Behar The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC’s) Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (DSIO) issued CFTC Staff Letter No. 20-34 (the Advisory) on … Continue Reading
SEC relief streamlines noncustodial settlement of digital asset trades, but broker-dealer custody is still off-limits. By Stephen P. Wink, Naim Culhaci, and Deric Behar On September 25, 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a no-action letter (the Letter) granting more leeway to registered alternative trading systems (ATSs) that settle trades involving digital … Continue Reading
The long-awaited guidance clarifies the application of the “actual delivery” exception to leveraged virtual currency transactions with retail purchasers. By Yvette D. Valdez, J. Ashley Weeks, and Deric Behar Earlier this year, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved final interpretive guidance (Guidance) concerning retail commodity transactions involving certain digital assets. The Guidance clarifies … Continue Reading
Product innovation (including in pooled investment vehicles) is encouraged, but innovation must be consistent with the law. By Yvette D. Valdez, Douglas K. Yatter, J. Ashley Weeks, and Deric Behar The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC’s) Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (DSIO) Director Joshua B. Sterling issued a statement on February 10, … Continue Reading
It was a year filled with tantalizing tidbits and many loose ends. By Stephen P. Wink, Cameron R. Kates, Shaun Musuka, and Deric Behar 2019 marked the 10th year since blockchain technology was released into the wild by its still unknown inventor, Satoshi Nakamoto, who mined the first bitcoin block in January 2009. In the … Continue Reading
The IRS has published a Revenue Ruling and FAQs clarifying some long-standing virtual currency questions. By Brian C. McManus, Elena Romanova, Stephen P. Wink, Sam (Seung Hyun) Yang, and Deric Behar On October 9, 2019, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued its first guidance on the tax treatment of cryptocurrencies in at least five … Continue Reading
SEC issues cease-and-desist orders for unregistered token presales and anti-touting violations. By Stephen P. Wink, Cameron R. Kates, Shaun Musuka, and Deric Behar Not content to let the dog days of summer slip by, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently issued two cease-and-desist orders relating to the offer, sale, and marketing of cryptocurrencies. … Continue Reading
The regulators attempt to clarify their position on the possible custody of digital assets by broker-dealers, but questions remain. By Stephen P. Wink, Cameron R. Kates, Shaun Musuka, and Deric Behar The SEC and FINRA recently released a joint staff statement (Joint Statement) addressing the custody of digital asset securities by broker-dealers. For some time, … Continue Reading
FinCEN’s guidance clarifies the applicability of the BSA to a variety of virtual currency businesses. By Todd Beauchamp, Charles Weinstein, Loyal T. Horsley, Cameron R. Kates, and Shaun Musuka On May 9, the US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued interpretive guidance expanding on previously issued guidance and rulings regarding the … Continue Reading
The enforcement action serves as a reminder that virtual currency exchangers, regardless of size, must comply with the BSA. By Todd Beauchamp and Charles Weinstein The US Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) does not care if you are a multinational corporation or an individual operating out of your garage; regardless of size, … Continue Reading
Federal legislators introduce two bills in an attempt to provide the blockchain economy with regulatory certainty. By Stephen P. Wink, Morgan E. Brubaker, Cameron R. Kates, and Shaun Musuka US regulators and federal legislators may be heeding the calls of crypto-enthusiasts for legal clarity regarding the status of digital assets and cryptocurrencies (collectively, Tokens). Two … Continue Reading
The SEC provides additional guidance for analyzing whether a digital asset is a security. By Stephen P. Wink, Cameron R. Kates, and Shaun Musuka On April 3, 2019, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology (the SEC) released a framework (the Framework) for assessing whether a blockchain-issued token or … Continue Reading
A new white paper explores jurisdictional conflicts and the regulatory status of digital assets. By Yvette D. Valdez, J. Ashley Weeks, and Jacqueline M. Rugart Members of the American Bar Association’s (ABA’s) Derivatives and Futures Law Committee recently published a white paper exploring the US regulatory landscape for digital assets (White Paper), including a 50-state … Continue Reading
