October 2021
BTC price nears all-time-high as futures ETFs near approval
The U.S. could see a long-awaited Bitcoin futures ETF trading on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq in the next few days. Forkast.News spoke with market watchers to find out what it means for the industry.
SEC calls Ripple’s 30,000 legal requests in XRP lawsuit ‘abusive’ and ‘crushing’
But Ripple says its 5,000 pages of requests for admission to SEC are reasonable and could cut down on trial time.
SEC approves next best thing to a Bitcoin ETF in the U.S.
Editor’s Note On October 8, 2021, a Forkast.News article was published with the inaccurate SEO headline “Bitcoin Futures ETF Approved By SEC.” One of our readers rightfully identified this mistake. We have made the correction, and we apologize. Serving the community is our top priority, and Forkast.News would like to thank @scottmelker for bringing it […]
Judge makes XRP holders ‘friends of court’ in SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple
A US court has denied XRP holders’ bid to join the SEC v. Ripple lawsuit as third-party defendants, but XRP advocates say being ‘amici curiae’ is still a win.
SEC chair Gensler: No plans to ban crypto, says it’s ‘up to Congress’
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has no plans to ban cryptocurrencies, chair Gary Gensler said during a congressional hearing on Tuesday. He added that any decision to ban crypto is “up to Congress.” Fast facts Gensler responded to Rep. Ted Budd’s question about whether the U.S. plans to ban crypto along the lines of […]
September 2021
Bhutan to adopt Ripple’s XRP technology for CBDC pilot
Ripple’s win in Bhutan comes as it suffers a setback in a US court as judge rebuffs Ripple’s request for SEC’s internal trading decisions over XRP.
U.S. Treasury prepares to recommend stricter regulation on stablecoins
The U.S. Treasury is preparing a raft of recommendations for stricter oversight of Tether and other stablecoins, as unnamed insiders say the department has identified the greatest risks posed by the tokens, according to a recent Bloomberg report. Fast facts Making sure investors are able to transfer money in and out of tokens is a […]
SEC chair says most cryptocurrencies including stablecoins are securities
In his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, Gary Gensler, chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said that Coinbase lists “dozens of tokens that may be securities.” Fast facts In response to Senator Pat Toomey’s questions about whether cryptocurrencies classify as securities, Gensler said “very many” of the cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins, are in […]
SEC chair reiterates call for crypto platforms to ‘come in and talk to us’
Ahead of the U.S. Banking Committee’s hearing on the “Oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission” today, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler reiterated his call for crypto platforms and projects that have securities to register with the agency. Fast facts In prepared remarks, Gensler emphasized the concerns he sees over the lack of investor protection […]
Mark Cuban to Coinbase: ‘Go on the offensive’ against SEC over high-yield product
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban says Coinbase should “go on the offensive” against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in its feud over high-yield savings account Lend. Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple — which is itself embroiled in ongoing litigation with the SEC — quipped “Welcome to the party” in a GIF tweet. Fast facts In […]
SEC pushes back on Ripple’s legal questions over XRP
Ripple wants to know how SEC regards Bitcoin, Ether and XRP, but SEC says Ripple is repeating the same questions as ‘they do not like the answers they received.’
SEC threatens to sue Coinbase over high-yield savings account
Crypto platform CEO claims regulators use ‘intimidation tactics behind closed doors’ by refusing to provide clarity.
SEC launches probe into Uniswap Labs
In another sign of increasing regulatory pressure on the crypto industry, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Uniswap Labs, the developer behind the decentralized exchange of the same name, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Fast facts Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said the SEC is seeking information on […]
SEC wins access to Ripple’s Slack message for XRP lawsuit
Overruling Ripple’s objections over cost, a judge gives the SEC a green light to review more XRP-related Slack communications.
SEC charges BitConnect founder with $2B ‘textbook Ponzi scheme’
The founder of the now-defunct crypto exchange BitConnect is being sued for a US$2 billion “textbook Ponzi scheme” by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to a Reuters report. Fast facts The SEC alleges BitConnect’s founder Satish Kumbhani, an Indian citizen, lied about the exchange’s ability to earn 40% returns on investments of BitConnect’s […]
August 2021
SEC wants to watch videos of Ripple’s company meetings
The battle over discovery escalates between SEC and Ripple over what might have been said about the XRP at Ripple’s all-hands meetings since 2014. Will there be popcorn?
How regulators should consider the future of DeFi | Ep. 1
What is DeFi, why it’s poised to enable financial inclusion, and how the showdown between decentralized finance and regulators is taking shape.
Ripple: SEC ex-chief Hinman’s views on XRP are ‘dubious’
Ripple also challenges SEC’s use of ‘deliberative process privilege’ to prevent agency documents on Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP from disclosure.
Ripple decries SEC’s demand for employee Slack messages on XRP
Ripple claims the SEC’s request for 1 million more of the company’s internal messages is costly and unlikely to resolve disputes at the heart of the litigation.
SEC’s Gensler tells Warren: crypto investors not adequately protected
In a much-anticipated reply, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler has written to Sen. Elizabeth Warren saying “crypto investors are not adequately protected.” Fast facts “In my view, the legislative priority should center on crypto trading, lending, and [decentralized finance] platforms. Regulators would benefit from additional plenary authority to write rules for and […]
SEC seeks 1 million Slack messages from Ripple for XRP litigation
The US Securities and Exchange Commission wants to review ‘terabytes’ of Ripple’s Slack chats for evidence of XRP-related wrongdoing. How much is too much?
USDC issuer Circle to become full-reserve digital currency bank
Amid a period of increasing regulatory interest in stablecoins, Circle, the digital payment company that issues USDC, the world’s second-largest stablecoin , has announced plans to become a full-reserve national digital currency bank in the U.S. Fast facts In a company blog post, CEO and co-founder Jeremy Allaire said the company was prepared to operate […]
Crypto platform Poloniex agrees to $10M settlement with SEC
Cryptocurrency platform Poloniex has agreed to pay more than US$10 million to settle charges for operating an unregistered online digital asset exchange, according to an announcement by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Fast facts According to the SEC’s order, Poloniex violated securities laws from July 2017 to November 2019 as the company did […]
First SEC DeFi bust made in US$30M fraud case
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has taken its first regulatory action involving decentralized finance in a case involving the “unregistered sales of more than US$30 million in securities,” according to an agency press release. Fast facts Gregory Keough and Derek Acree were charged along with their Cayman Islands-based company, Blockchain Credit Partners, over allegedly […]
Ripple expands XRP into NFTs amid escalating legal battles
As court grants CEO request to obtain info from Binance to bolster defense in SEC lawsuit, Ripple seeks to expand use cases for XRP Ledger.
SEC chair labels crypto industry ‘Wild West,’ asks for more powers
The cryptocurrency trading industry has been labeled a “Wild West,” riddled with fraud and investor risk, by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, according to a Reuters report. Fast facts Calling on Congress at the Aspen Security Forum to give the SEC more power to regulate the industry, Gensler said many of the […]
U.S. infrastructure bill could bring sweeping regulatory changes to crypto
A provision in an infrastructure bill being debated by the U.S. Senate has prompted concerns in the crypto industry as it boosts Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements for investors and brokers. Fast facts According to the New York Times, the provision is an effort to help fund a US$ 1 trillion bipartisan bill and could […]
July 2021
Robinhood readies IPO as risks cast shadow over future earnings potential
The fee-free trading platform’s initial public offering promises plenty of action for retail investors, but pitfalls may lie in wait amid trading volatility and wider adoption of business model.
SEC: Commissioners’ statement not relevant to Ripple’s XRP lawsuit defense
US Securities and Exchange Commission staffers say their appointed leaders’ views do not reflect the agency’s stance on Ripple and XRP.
Court grants Ripple bid to force ex-SEC director to testify in XRP case
Ripple scores major discovery win as judge rules ex-SEC official William Hinman must answer ‘central question’ on Ethereum in the globally-watched case about XRP.
Ripple seeks to force ex-SEC director to testify on XRP next week
Despite opposition from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Ripple is pushing ahead with plans to question former SEC director William Hinman, the former head of the regulator’s Division of Corporation Finance, telling the judge overseeing discovery in the SEC v. Ripple Labs lawsuit that Hinman’s deposition has been rescheduled to July 19, according to a […]
SEC says Ripple not entitled to testimony on XRP from ex-director
Is William Hinman a former ‘high-ranking’ SEC official exempt from disclosing his prior communications on XRP, or must he provide testimony to Ripple?
June 2021
SEC seeks to stop Ripple from calling ex-SEC director for XRP testimony
SEC does not want its former head of Corporation Finance to testify or answer question about XRP. Who is William Hinman — and what might he tell Ripple?
Bitcoin ETFs start trading on Brazil, Dubai stock exchanges
QR Capital’s Bitcoin exchange-traded fund — the first Bitcoin ETF in Latin America — has been listed on Brazil’s stock exchange.
Court grants Ripple access to SEC’s internal trading policies on XRP
A judge has granted Ripple’s request to force the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to reveal its non-public policies regarding whether agency employees may buy and sell XRP and other cryptocurrencies, according to a screenshot of a new legal filing shared by the lawyer representing XRP holders. Fast facts: Earlier this month, Ripple sought the […]
U.S. SEC settles with Loci over unregistered securities offering
The U.S. SEC has settled charges against Loci and its CEO, John Wise, for allegedly making false statements in connection with a sale of digital asset securities.
U.S. securities watchdog’s regulatory agenda turns blind eye to crypto
Dashing hopes of greater regulatory clarity for the cryptocurrency industry, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recently released annual regulatory agenda does not mention Bitcoin or cryptocurrency regulations.
Court denies SEC request for info on Ripple’s recent XRP transactions
A judge has denied the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s request for documents related to Ripple’s XRP transactions and lobbying efforts that took place after the SEC filed its lawsuit last December, according to a new legal filing. Fast facts: “As discussed in the Court’s earlier Opinion and Order denying access to Ripple’s privileged communications, […]
Court gives Ripple execs go-ahead to obtain XRP info from 16 foreign exchanges
A judge overseeing discovery in the U.S. Securities and Exchanges Commission’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs has granted the SEC’s request to extend deadlines by 60 days as well as a request by co-defendants Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and executive chairman Chris Larsen to obtain information from 16 cryptocurrency exchanges outside the United States. Fast facts: […]
Ripple: Delaying SEC lawsuit would pose ‘existential threat’ to XRP
In a new court filing, Ripple describes the damage the SEC lawsuit has already done to XRP and the payment company’s now-frozen US business.
Ripple execs seek info to defend XRP trades from 16 foreign crypto exchanges
To defend themselves against SEC lawsuit, Ripple’s CEO and chairman ask court for help getting XRP info from a who’s who list of offshore crypto exchanges.
Is India’s central bank greenlighting crypto? Bitcoin fees fall to new lows. Cardano rolls out Alonzo upgrade for DeFi.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: Thailand’s SEC tries to rein in DeFi via regulation. Will China’s future DCEP digital yuan offer smart contracts?
May 2021
Are 73 SEC actions against crypto enough warning to Ripple about XRP?
SEC says Ripple had plenty of ‘notice’ that XRP transactions could be violating the law via its many enforcement actions against other crypto companies.
How Ripple found new ways to grow XRP business despite SEC lawsuit
Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse says Ripple was hit hard financially after SEC filed its lawsuit, but the company is now expanding uses for XRP’s technology.
U.S. SEC chair Gary Gensler says regulator will enforce crypto rules ‘aggressively and consistently’
U.S. SEC chair Gary Gensler says as technology and markets evolve, regulators should be ready to bring cases involving crypto.
Judge denies Ripple’s bid to bar SEC from seeking foreign info on XRP
In a win for the SEC, a judge knocks back Ripple’s request to stop the SEC from asking foreign regulators for info on Ripple and XRP transactions overseas.
XRP whale moves coins worth US$93M to unknown wallet, price dips
XRP’s price has slumped almost 7% in the past 24 hours after a so-called whale transferred US$93 million of the cryptocurrency to an unknown wallet on May 18, according to blockchain analytics platform WhaleAlert.
SEC and XRP holders face off anew over SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple
In a new court filing, SEC tries to keep out 6 representatives of 17,100 XRP holders from joining as 3rd party defendants in the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple.
U.S. cryptocurrency scams soar tenfold since October, FTC says
American consumers have lost an estimated US$80 million in cryptocurrency investments since October 2020, according to new data from the Federal Trade Commission, which calculated that digital currency scams had jumped tenfold year on year.
Ripple seeks to protect legal advice on XRP from disclosure to SEC
Ripple rebuts SEC’s attempt to obtain Ripple’s confidential communications with lawyers over XRP’s legal status and seeks to bolster ‘fair notice’ defense.
SEC demands Ripple reveal legal advice Ripple received on XRP
In the latest volley in SEC v. Ripple Labs, the SEC contends that Ripple has waived its attorney-client privilege over legal advice on XRP’s status.
Ripple’s XRP sales increased over 90% in 1Q 2021
XRP sales by Ripple accounted for 0.07% of global XRP volume. Ripple says its sales were to support on-demand liquidity customers.
Court orders SEC to give Ripple internal documents on XRP, Bitcoin, Ether
Ripple scores another in legal wrangling over SEC lawsuit as SEC now must disclose its confidential internal communications over XRP, Bitcoin and Ethereum.
SEC tries to block XRP holders from joining SEC v. Ripple lawsuit
In new court filings, the SEC says allowing XRP holders’ to join SEC v. Ripple lawsuit as third-party defendant would cause delays and ‘sow chaos.’
XRP prices steady after court hearing, Ripple releases $1.6 billion XRP
XRP is up 600% since the start of the year and its holding steady as Ripple released one billion XRP over the weekend.
April 2021
Ripple demands SEC to stop obtaining info on XRP dealings abroad
Ripple asks court to stop SEC from using MOU requests to get info on XRP from overseas regulators and pushes for access to SEC’s internal communications.
SEC sought info on Ripple and XRP from 20 foreign entities, including trading platforms
SEC says info on Ripple and XRP transactions overseas is important to lawsuit. But of the nine foreign regulators the SEC asked, two refused to help.
SEC seeks to knock out Ripple defense, says no duty to warn over XRP
In a new legal filing, the SEC asks court to dismiss Ripple’s ‘lack of due process and fair notice’ defense that the XRP token could be deemed a security.
12,600 XRP holders demand their day in court in SEC v. Ripple lawsuit
XRP investors and users ask to join SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple as third-party defendant. ‘Without our intervention, we are without a voice in the debate.’
Why new SEC chief Gary Gensler may be Biden’s gift to crypto industry
Are digital assets securities or commodities? Outdated laws offer no clarity, but US is now poised to reform blockchain regulations and lead world by example.
Ripple accuses SEC of ‘intimidation tactic’ in seeking XRP info overseas
Battlefield for SEC v. Ripple lawsuit goes global as defense lawyers seek to stop SEC from obtaining information on Ripple and XRP from foreign regulators.
Are Bitcoin ETFs ready to party? Line is growing at SEC’s gate.
Bitcoin’s soaring prices are attracting traditional investors who want in, but with an entourage rather than solo. When will the velvet ropes lift in US and Asia?
Ripple partners with Novatti to use XRP for remittances in Asia Pacific
Despite its legal troubles in the US, Ripple expands XRP’s uses in Southeast Asia’s lucrative and fast-growing international money transfer market.
How new SEC chair Gary Gensler can reshape the crypto industry’s future
The former MIT blockchain professor and CFTC chair now sits atop a key regulator over crypto. How might his leadership affect SEC v. Ripple, or Bitcoin ETFs?
What is Coinbase really worth? XRP rallies with Ripple’s wins over SEC. HSBC bans MicroStrategy over Bitcoin embrace.
Other top blockchain and crypto news: HSBC bans MicroStrategy over Bitcoin affair. Tokenized TSLA and Coinbase COIN now on several crypto exchanges.
Ripple executives file to dismiss SEC lawsuit as XRP prices soar
Tailwind of legal wins propel XRP’s market cap past US$70 billion as Ripple CEO and chairman ask court to drop SEC’s charges against them.
XRP price surges over 40% following another legal victory for Ripple
Court ruling favoring Ripple executives and slapping down SEC catapults XRP — now the world’s 4th most popular crypto — to its highest prices in 3 years.
Lawyer for 11,000 XRP holders pushing to fight SEC in Ripple lawsuit
As Ripple and SEC intensify their legal battles, attorney John Deaton and his clients are trying to jump into the fray. Will XRP investors get their day in court?
Ripple wins access to SEC’s internal documents on Bitcoin and Ether
In a ruling that can boost Ripple’s defense, judge says SEC must disclose discussions on whether XRP, Bitcoin and Ether are securities. Is a settlement now near?
SEC agrees to redact two documents in Ripple lawsuit as XRP prices surge
XRP prices soar after Ripple and the SEC agree to partially redact some of Ripple’s email exchanges — but not the CEO’s financial information
March 2021
XRP holders step closer to joining Ripple in fighting SEC lawsuit
In a new ruling, the judge presiding over SEC v. Ripple Labs opens the door to allowing XRP holders to intervene as a third party in the government’s lawsuit.
Ripple plans major Southeast Asia expansion by buying 40% of Tranglo
Despite its legal battles in the US over the XRP token, Ripple continues its push in Asia to grow its cross-border payments and money-transfer business.