Recent developments about the New York State Department of Financial Services
(Not affiliated with NYDFS; just a blog.)
• NYDFS issued an Industry Letter and consumer bulletin that warns licensees and consumers to exercise caution regarding meme coins. According to the Industry Letter: • “The New York State Department of Financial Services (“Department”) is closely monitoring the rapid proliferation of sentiment-based virtual currencies. The platforms that enable the creation of these coins are not licensed … Read more
Two new cybersecurity enforcement actions from NYDFS, against GEICO and Travelers Indemnity Co. Enforcement takeaways are (according to DFS allegations): • GEICO experienced three cybersecurity events in a short period of time primarily involving customer interfaces for obtaining quotes and submitting claims and the web portal for GEICO agents, allowing threat actors to obtain driver license … Read more
• According to NYDFS, this is the second annual report, reviewing lending activity based on the New York Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (“HMDA”) data from 2023. • As in last year’s report, NYDFS analyzed mortgage lending in 23 different geographies, including New York State as a whole, all metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) within the state, and a … Read more
Speaking to Bloomberg at DC Fintech Week, Superintendent Adrienne Harris stated about crypto enforcement: • Superintendent Adrienne Harris said “absolutely” when asked if there are “big cases coming down the pike for crypto firms, stable coin firms or even market makers in the space.” • Superintendent Harris elaborated, saying “I think for us we really make sure … Read more
Speaking this week at DACOM 2024, Superintendent Harris stated: • The Superintendent does not contemplate any amendments to the BitLicense, even though the regulatory regime will be in effect for 10 years coming June. • She said the BitLicense framework will continue to evolve instead through guidance, enforcement and other supervisory activity. She pointed to the agency’s … Read more
Many takeaways from this 43-page Consent Order from NYDFS against Nordea Bank, including the view of DFS that: • “[t]he combination of deficient AML controls, an unsophisticated transaction monitoring apparatus, and a decentralized global compliance program created a set of circumstances that exposed Nordea’s financial channels to a high risk of criminal abuse. Nordea’s relationships with … Read more
From the Wall Street Journal: – “New York’s financial regulator has appointed a former official from Dubai’s financial regulator to help oversee its virtual currency unit that regulates cryptocurrency businesses in the state. Ken Coghill, who most recently was the director and head of innovation and technology risk supervision at Dubai Financial Services Authority, … Read more
• According to the agency, “DFS has finalized the guidance with careful consideration of the valuable feedback received from regulated entities and other key stakeholders, including trade associations, advisory firms, universities, and the broader public.” • Superintendent Adrienne Harris has said recently, in several public settings (including the IIB Conference in March), that guidance for banks is … Read more
NYDFS has issued guidance concerning how Virtual Currency Entities handle customer complaints. According to the guidance: • The guidance applies to all “Virtual Currency Entities” (“VCEs”) • The guidance applies to individual customers – not institutions • The guidance requires VCEs to collect relevant data so DFS can assess whether they are resolving customer service requests and complaints … Read more
According to a stipulation filed (1822000-1822445-stipulation) in the BlockFi bankruptcy proceeding in New Jersey: • NYDFS had asserted unliquidated claims for violation of Financial Services Law § 408, one of its omnibus enforcement authorities, and the BitLicense Regulation, 23 N.Y.C.R.R. Part 200 • BlockFi does not appear to have ever obtained a license or charter from NYDFS. That … Read more