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
cryptocurrency
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
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
Open Source Finance
The future of currency looks increasingly invisible—and branded. Bitcoin is going through something of an identity crisis. While much cryptofinance news over the past 18 months has focused on the fluctuating price of bitcoin (BTC) and the use of crypto-tokens to raise capital, the underlying blockchain technology was designed to account for payment transactions. The recent … [Read more...] about Open Source Finance
The Mobile Mainstream
THE WEEK IN FINTECH 01-24-2017 "Changing consumer preferences and behaviors are focused on ease of use, convenience, and immediacy of payment that can be obtained through the mobile channel," reports the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in its most recent mobile payments study. Yet the mobile experience in the mainstream of U.S. commerce hardly meets that ideal. "Mobile … [Read more...] about The Mobile Mainstream
Going Digital
FINTECH ARTICLES OF THE WEEK 09/27/17 Three reports this week show how incumbent financial institutions grapple with going digital. Taking the certainties of studies at face value: 1. Bank branches will continue to add value to customers while incorporating more technology 2. Insurers will accelerate investments in digital technologies 3. Central banks will face a … [Read more...] about Going Digital