SEC Tries (and Fails) to Expand the Private Markets

On August 26, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced several changes to the “accredited investor” definition, adding new categories of the eligible individual and corporate candidates for private capital markets. Passed in a 3-2 Commission vote, the agency press release … Read more about SEC Tries (and Fails) to Expand the Private Markets

FTC Sues Company for Unsubstantiated Claims

On April 24, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) filed a complaint in federal court as well as an administrative complaint against California-based marketer, Whole Leaf Organics for its unsubstantiated product claims.1 The company sells Thrive, a supplement consisting mainly of vitamin C and … Read more about FTC Sues Company for Unsubstantiated Claims

Lawmaker Suggests Cryptocurrency to Fund Border Wall

Ohio Congressman Warren Davidson suggested that crowdfunding through a cryptocurrency might provide a viable solution to the funding issues for the proposed wall along the US/Mexico border. In an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep, the Republican representative suggested that both the proposed … Read more about Lawmaker Suggests Cryptocurrency to Fund Border Wall

Big Tobacco Moving Into Cannabis Market

One of the largest tobacco companies in North America, Altria Group - which owns Philip Morris USA, best known for their manufacture of Marlboro cigarettes - has agreed to invest $1.8 billion USD ($2.4 billion Canadian dollars) into Cronos Group, based in Ontario. The investment marks the largest … Read more about Big Tobacco Moving Into Cannabis Market

Ohio Now Accepting Bitcoin for Tax Payments

Beginning today, November 26, 2018, Ohio will be the first US state to accept Bitcoin payments for more than 20 kinds of state business taxes. Payments made in Bitcoin will be made through third-party payment service BitPay. The Ohio Treasurer's website lists the 23 kinds of business taxes that can … Read more about Ohio Now Accepting Bitcoin for Tax Payments

McConnell: Farm Bill Will Include Hemp Legalization

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican - Kentucky) spoke to reporters last week and said that while legislators are still trying to come to a consensus on the Farm Bill, a provision legalizing hemp will be included in the legislation. When asked by reporters about the hemp provisions … Read more about McConnell: Farm Bill Will Include Hemp Legalization

CFTC Chairman: DLT Can Automate Regulation

  The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has, thus far, exhibited far more enthusiasm for Distributed Ledge Technology ("DLT") than the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). On balance the CFTC has come across as open, if not downright enthused by the possibilities … Read more about CFTC Chairman: DLT Can Automate Regulation

SEC Charges EtherDelta Founder with Operating Unregistered Exchange

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced settled charges on the first enforcement action based on findings that a digital token trading platform was operating as an unregistered national securities exchange. The charges were against Zachary Coburn, founder of decentralized Ethereum … Read more about SEC Charges EtherDelta Founder with Operating Unregistered Exchange