SummerHaven Investment Management, a firm that acts as a commodity trading advisor (CTA) and commodity pool operator (CPO), has been penalized $500,000 by the CFTC on charges that it engaged in wash sales and other non-competitive transactions. The firm has also been charged with falling short in supervising these activities, according to the CFTC. The… Read More >>
CEO Says PE Acquisition Gives Fenergo ‘Unicorn Status’
Fenergo achieved “unicorn status,” says Marc Murphy, president and CEO of the KYC and client management software solutions vendor, because it’s been acquired by private equity firms Astorg and Bridgepoint via a definitive agreement they signed with venture capitalist firm Insight Partners, which owned the Dublin-based provider. Several media outlets have reported a wide range… Read More >>
SIFMA, ICI and DTCC Launch T+1 Outreach
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the Investment Company Institute (ICI), and The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) are reaching out to financial services firms to gather more information for a new push to shorten the U.S. securities settlement cycle from T+2 to T+1, and they are aiming to complete their information… Read More >>
ABN AMRO Pays $575M to Settle AML Case
ABN AMRO Bank NV is paying approximately $575 million, which includes a fine and disgorgement, to the Netherlands government to resolve charges that the Dutch banking giant violated anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorism financing laws. The bank has accepted an offer from the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service (NPPS) in a case that encompasses violations… Read More >>
A.I. Is On the Regulators’ Radar
Almost all facets of securities operations are investigating or even embracing cutting-edge technologies, particularly the extensions of artificial intelligence (A.I.) such as machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and deep learning. Many firms are also exploring how robotic process automation (RPA) may make their lives easier. But, as these advanced technologies become more prevalent, the… Read More >>
Gensler’s SEC Will Face ESG, Crypto & Investor Woes
By a vote of 53 to 45, Gary Gensler, a former CFTC chairman, won confirmation by the U.S. Senate to become the next chair of the SEC, ushering in what many expect will be a new era of regulation requiring adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reforms. The Senate vote, which got the support… Read More >>
Firms Must Bolster AML Systems: FATF President
The G20 countries have recommitted to the battle against financial crime. One reason: The president of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the self-described “global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog,” has prompted them to do more. In a plain-spoken speech at the recent Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting of the G20 countries,… Read More >>
Credit Suisse & Instinet Use Blockchain for T+0 Settlement
Instinet & Credit Suisse Use Paxos Settlement Service Instinet and Credit Suisse used blockchain technology from Paxos Trust Company to settle U.S. listed equities trades on a same-day, T+0 settlement, cycle via the Paxos Settlement Service, the market infrastructure provider confirms. “The trades occurred [March 4, 2021] at 11 AM ET and 3 PM ET… Read More >>
CFTC Pursues Alleged Bitcoin Swindler Gone Missing
It looks like a classic case of take the money and run. Following its investigation, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has gone to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and been awarded a massive default judgment against an alleged bitcoin fraudster. That alleged bitcoin fraudster is one Benjamin… Read More >>
BNY Mellon Helps Crypto Custody Startup Raise $133M
Fireblocks Raises a Total of $179 Million Crypto infrastructure provider Fireblocks has raised $133 million in Series C funding with help from the Bank of New York Mellon and SVB Capital, the investment platform of SVB Financial Group, via an effort led by Coatue, Ribbit Capital, and Stripes Group, officials say. With this round of… Read More >>
