The DTCC and Accenture are hoping to spark a new dialogue about the governance processes required for the “safety and soundness” of blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT) networks that support securities operations. Blockchain/DLT started out as the backbone of the Bitcoin crypto-currency but has been spun out as a potential backbone for key securities operations. The… Read More >>
Bakkt Futures & Custody to Launch Next Month
The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has given the green light to Bakkt Trust Co., which means that it can offer custody services for bitcoin in conjunction with the launch of physically delivered bitcoin futures contracts, officials say. “This now enables us to offer institutional-grade custody via the Bakkt Warehouse alongside the… Read More >>
Bitcoin Broker Pays $990K Penalty for Alleged Violations
A brokerage located in the Marshall Islands, 1pool Ltd., and Patrick Brunner, its owner and CEO, are paying a $990,000 civil penalty to resolve a CFTC consent order charging them in federal court with making “illegal bitcoin-related transactions,” failing to register as a futures commission merchant (FCM) and “failing to meet its supervisory duties by… Read More >>
NY State’s Cryptocurrency Task Force to Consider Regulation
With Wall Street and other industries in mind, the New York state government has set in motion the creation of a digital currency task force that will investigate legislative and regulatory recommendations, among other issues, for the burgeoning cryptocurrency marketplace and the growing usage of blockchain technology. The task force got its final approval late… Read More >>
CFTC Clarifies Staff Ownership of Crypto Coins
Markets and venues for trading instruments based upon cryptocurrencies are emerging almost daily and CFTC officials have been trying to stay on top of this phenomenon via new policies and guidances, including a recent memo for CFTC staff that specifies the parameters of cryptocurrency ownership. Initial media reports implied that CFTC staffers would be set… Read More >>
Clayton & Giancarlo Issue Joint Crypto Currency Warning
Regulators See Upside to Blockchain/DLT Bitcoin and the other so-called distributed-ledger cryptocurrencies have had a rollercoaster valuations ride so far this year, which may not be surprising to anyone who can identify Mt. Gox or knows that Tether, pitched to investors as the “more stable” cryptocurrency, lost nearly $31 million in tokens near the end… Read More >>
Bitcoin Rollercoaster Becomes a Ride Most Avoid for Now
The bitcoin cryptocurrency rollercoaster is roaring ahead as regulators come to grips with instruments based upon it, some trading venues advance instruments as other venues move into limbo, and the price of the virtual currency is under constant scrutiny. The only thing more erratic than bitcoin’s rise and fall and rise was the brinksmanship around… Read More >>
South Korea May Ban Bitcoin Trading as CFTC Gives Wary Approval
While U.S. and European regulators are mulling over what to do with bitcoin, the South Korean government, which is home to the world’s third largest cryptocurrency market, is planning to crack down on crypto currency trading. At a press conference, Park Sang-ki, justice minister for South Korea, said, “There are great concerns regarding virtual currencies… Read More >>
2018 Predictions: Expect More Madness via MiFID II & Disruptors
(Editor’s Note: The major concerns about MiFID II compliance, which officially began January 3, will be ongoing throughout 2018. But these market reforms from the European Union will have to share the spotlight with the emerging trends also dubbed as “disruptors,” and we offer a sampling of opinions about them in this final installment in… Read More >>
2018 Predictions: Global Markets to Expand Despite Jolts
(Editor’s Note: Predicting what the financial markets, regulators and industry participants will do in 2018 is a challenge as there are so many variables that could undercut prognostications. Yet in a bid to offset chaos, FTF News has put together a round-up of opinions and initiatives from researchers, analysts and executives at the TABB Group,… Read More >>
