Are Initial Coin offerings (ICOs) legal? It's hard to know, with a number of vague hints - and enforcement actions - suggesting that the SEC largely views the answer to be no. And while the market is still well ahead of formal regulatory policy, some hints have finally been offered in a recently-issued "Framework for 'Investment Contract' Analysis of Digital Assets." What … [Read more...] about New SEC Framework Charts a Narrow Way Forward for Token Developers
Chicago
A Reality Test for Enterprise Blockchain Technology at Financial Institutions
Following is the text from a talk I gave April 2 at the International Blockchain Congress held in Chicago. When it comes to blockchain projects for enterprise financial institutions, I'm sure I’m not alone in wondering, What's real? To be clear, I am not a naysayer. I understand the business possibilities for blockchain technology well enough to believe that it has … [Read more...] about A Reality Test for Enterprise Blockchain Technology at Financial Institutions
Can Chicago Become a Crypto Capital?
David Carman and George Vukotich, co-founders of the FinTank incubator, are pursuing a vision of Chicago as a center of cryptoasset trading. More than 120 other FinTech professionals share that vision enough to have spent a couple of hours on Monday, Mar. 18 in the Loop discussing how to make the vision a reality. It was a positive atmosphere, and I’m glad I was … [Read more...] about Can Chicago Become a Crypto Capital?
Chicago Blockchain Events Roundup
For cryptocurrency professionals, the next few weeks have more to offer than a warmer turn in the weather. A number of blockchain events are set to take place around Chicago over the next month. Take a look and make sure to register for these meetings soon if you're interested in attending, as they're rapidly approaching. PAABC/GCSI CyberSecurity Meetup PAABC/GCSI … [Read more...] about Chicago Blockchain Events Roundup
Chicago Payments Startups Tackle the Tough Problems
Solutions presented at the February Chicago Payments Forum meetup focused on credit-card fraud, accounts receivables, merchant access, and consumer identity. Four Chicago-based startups presented to about 50 professionals with interests across the payments ecosystem, including bankers, startup founders, investors, lawyers, and marketers. Occasion. Aksh Gupta, co-founder … [Read more...] about Chicago Payments Startups Tackle the Tough Problems
Three FinTech Themes for 2019
Chicago's Hyde Park is a world away from LaSalle St., the city's financial center. I'm willing to fly halfway across the country and even around the world to learn about new FinTech companies and trends. Going to a part of the city I rarely visit shouldn't seem so out of the way. Yet it did - but it was even more worth it to get another view of Chicago's entrepreneurial … [Read more...] about Three FinTech Themes for 2019