REP. TORRES WILL NOT SUPPORT LEGISLATION PREEMPTING NYDFS

Rep. Ritchie Torres said today that he would not support legislation that preempts NYDFS’ powers to regulate cryptocurrency or otherwise encroaches on New York’s sovereignty in regulating financial services.  [Video here].  He made these comments today at the House Financial Services Committee hearing today on stablecoins, at which Superintendent Harris testified. Other takeaways from today’s … Read more

COMPLIANCE OFFICERS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE

“41 percent of respondents in Compliance Week’s annual ‘Inside the Mind of the CCO’ survey said they don’t believe the DOJ’s CCO certification requirement to be a positive development for the profession,” according to Compliance Week. This report comes at the same time that the OCC is that compliance risk remains “elevated” in its Semiannual … Read more

OFAC’S SMALL-ISH PENALTY AGAINST KRAKEN

OFAC issued an enforcement action against the U.S.-based crypto exchange Kraken. What is perhaps most striking is how this matter is much more like the run-of-the-mill OFAC enforcement action against a mature financial institution, and not a start up.  Key language from OFAC:  “This case also demonstrates the value of a company implementing robust remedial … Read more

NASDAQ TO ENTER CRYPTO CUSTODY BUSINESS AND SEEK NYDFS LICENSE

Law360 reports that NASDAQ will be jumping into the crypto custody business for institutional investors.   NYDFS will be reviewing their application, according to Law360. Coindesk reporting on this may be found here:  https://www.coindesk.com/business/2022/09/20/nasdaq-starts-crypto-custody-services-for-institutional-clients/  

NYDFS ISSUES FIRST-IN-THE-NATION STABLECOIN GUIDANCE

Its finally here:  first-in-the-nation stablecoin guidance for regulated cryptocurrency entities.  Some highlights: Backing and Redeemability: The stablecoin must be fully backed by a Reserve of assets, meaning that the market value of the Reserve is at least equal to the nominal value of all outstanding units of the stablecoin as of the end of each … Read more

“NYDFS GETTING A FIRM, FRIENDLY CRYPTO REGULATOR”: PYMTS.COM

Interesting take in pymts.com on NYDFS Crypto Regulation: “NYDFS will not only remain relevant as the regulator of the largest financial center in the world, but as the obvious yardstick against which proposed national rules are measured.”   Article is found here:  https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2022/in-adrienne-harris-nydfs-getting-firm-but-friendly-crypto-regulator/