BACKGROUND

The PRA, FCA and the Bank of England (the Regulators) have identified, for some time, the growing dependency of the UK finance sector on critical third parties who supply services to the finance sector (CTPs), including, in particular, the largest cloud service providers. The Regulators have

Continue Reading Operational Resilience in the UK Financial Services Sector: Proposed ‘Critical Third Party’ Regulations

The technology sector faces a critical moment as economic signs continue to point to a possible downturn. Yet, despite this, our latest Technology Index findings show the industry has managed to remain optimistic thanks to forecasts of increased revenue and ESG opportunities.

As a firm, we launched this unique report

Continue Reading Tech Index 2022: Pathways to Growth in a Troubled World

Much anticipated regulatory updates on virtual assets (“VAs”) and related activities were announced during the Hong Kong FinTech Week. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (“FSTB”), Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”) debuted wide-ranging policy

Continue Reading Hong Kong provides long-awaited policy and regulatory updates on virtual assets

The evolution of payment methods in the metaverse and the new meta-economy are key concepts in understanding how tomorrow’s commerce will look: decentralized, secure, and fast. The metaverse is synonymous with innovation. And the biggest players in the market are already taking advantage of the new opportunities it offers.

The
Continue Reading Payment schemes in the metaverse – cryptocurrencies and smart contracts

The recent enrolment of one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the special section of the so-called “Organismo degli Agenti e Mediatori” (OAM) in Italy is something that should not go unnoticed for at least two reasons: (i) first of all, we will observe for the first time how
Continue Reading Cryptocurrency exchanges officially in Italy. What are the applicable regulatory requirements?

The world is currently in a state of unprecedented data availability. Within the financial sector, and indeed every other sector, organisations have found themselves with an abundance of data and information that they can use to better navigate the changing face of commerce. In many ways, this is incredibly helpful.
Continue Reading Financial Conduct Authority issues call for input on AI, synthetic data, and financial services innovation

Introduction

Over the past few years, new innovations under the umbrella term of decentralised finance (“DeFi”) has caught the attention of retail investors, financial institutions and regulators alike. DeFi generally refers to financial products and services which are powered by distributed ledger technologies and  provide permissionless peer-to-peer access to users.
Continue Reading Decentralised Exchanges: The relevant considerations when mapping out how DEXs might be regulated

The media is brimming with articles on the rise of cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Whether it’s news on the rising value of Bitcoin, the acquisition of digital art for large amounts of money, the release of the latest Kings of Leon album as an NFT (non fungible token), or articles
Continue Reading Crypto assets: A new line of enquiry and recovery for insolvency practitioners

On 20 November 2020 the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) published a draft declaration relating to crypto assets (including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum). In terms of this draft declaration, crypto assets would be regarded as a ‘‘financial product‘‘ in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services
Continue Reading Will we see authorised crypto providers?

Technology conference and event producer TechFire and DLA Piper recently collaborated to present a fireside chat with Victoria Treyger, general partner and managing director at venture capital firm Felicis Ventures, and DLA Piper partner Patrick Anding. Their conversation focused on the impact of the new normal on the venture
Continue Reading A conversation on consumer technology startups and the venture capital ecosystem