From Bloomberg: The Bloomberg U.S. Startups Barometer, which tracks the business conditions for U.S.-based private technology companies, reached a record high. A 44 percent increase from a year earlier was driven by a surge in the number of businesses that … Continue Reading
Will Credit Rating Agencies Be Next to Exit London?
I’ve had a number of conversations with extremely bright, extremely high level professionals about credit rating agencies recently, which have all consistently highlighted the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA’s) heightened interest in credit rating agencies (CRAs) operated outside the European … Continue Reading
2017 IIEL Annual Report Now Available
I am delighted to present the 2017 Annual Report for the Institute of International Economic Law. Thanks to countless stakeholders and supporters, we have had the great opportunity to host the OCC’s Fintech Charter launch, Mexico’s top NAFTA … Continue Reading
China’s Silk Road Comes to North America
According to the Haitian Press Agency (AHP), China plans to invest $30 billion in Haiti’s infrastructure as part of its Silk Road initiative. This marks the first time to my knowledge that China’s trade and investment program will extend to … Continue Reading
Thinking a little about China’s Silk Road Initiative
I have an interview with PBS next week at their New York Offices where I plan to talk about China’s Silk road initiative. It’s an interesting topic, not just because of the transformative potential the project has for international economic … Continue Reading
Australia competes to become fintech hub, though I hope officials know why
I open up my daily FIA smartbrief inbox and I read the following: Australia might be on its way to become a global financial-technology hub as the number of startups jump from fewer than 100 in 2014 to almost 580, … Continue Reading
Three and a Half (Totally*) Unexpected Takeaways about Brexit and Finance
It’s not even halftime in the Brexit ballgame (indeed, we’re still in the pregame warm-up)—but already there are a number of takeaways worth noting: Prudential oversight is, perhaps ironically, accelerating the exodus of banks out of London. The European … Continue Reading
The EU Will be Hard Pressed to Respond Forcefully to US Sanctions on Russia
As a new US sanctions bill is scheduled to hit Mr. Trump’s desk, the prospect of increased penalties has rattled Russia and the European Union. Reuters reported this week: The issue has rattled Russia, which fears that its economy, weakened … Continue Reading
China’s Blockchain Associations Issue Protocol on Initial Coin Offerings
The United States isn’t the only country to issue guidelines on initial coin offerings. According to a new report, six Chinese blockchain industry associations have also jointly issued a protocol to better manage and control financial risks for initial coin … Continue Reading
SEC Issues Investigative Report Concluding DAO Tokens, a Digital Asset, Were Securities
From the SEC’s website: “The Securities and Exchange Commission issued an investigative report today cautioning market participants that offers and sales of digital assets by “virtual” organizations are subject to the requirements of the federal securities laws. Such offers and sales, conducted … Continue Reading