Tag: FINTECHTV Editorial Team
US Molinari Media, PBC Acquires UK Fintech Worldwide
NEW YORK, NY. Molinari Media, a fintech media and broadcast company has acquired London-based Fintech Worldwide – the World's Leading Network for Fintech, Blockchain & Digital Impact. The deal was announced today. This acquisition will further expand the Molinari Media global footprint and its financial streaming platform to the United Kingdom and Europe.
The transaction not only adds a fully integrated events management system, database, and analytics platform but also extends the media and broadcast reach of an already established brand and leadership team in the industry The acquisition complements the recent launch of Digital Asset Reporttm-London, which is broadcast and produced from the London Stock Exchange Studios in conjunction with Global Digital Finance (GDF).
"As we grow our FINTECH.TV, Digital Asset Report and TheIMPACT content reflecting on these additional synergies, we are excited to add the Fintech Worldwide moniker and brand arsenal into our current family of distinguished marquee brands. This acquisition, which includes the original London Fintech and Blockchain Weeks, will expand our broadcast base, and loyal viewership in the financial and blockchain community." said Vince Molinari, founder and CEO of Molinari Media. "In addition to those valuable intangibles, I am so pleased that Dr. Jane Thomason will be joining our management team and Board of Directors. She also brings with her a diverse and dynamic team of experts that will serve to the continued growth and global impact of our company."
"We see this as an exciting opportunity to pivot and supplement our events business with a large scale digital format, and together we will build the world's first global media network, championing Fintech, Digital Assets and Impact to serve as the model for the future of business as we know things today," said Dr. Jane Thomason, CEO Fintech Worldwide.
Dr. Jane Thomason further commented, "Over many years, we have been developing relationships with global leaders in the fintech, digital asset, and impact space. Because of this network, and our global content partners, we can bring bleeding edge thinkers from across the world to our channel. That means we can deliver to our audience the best of the best. This is an incredible opportunity to join forces and bring the latest content and future thinkers to FINTECH.TV."
FINTECH.TV brings the latest Fintech, Digital Asset news, as well as TheIMPACT television and social media platform. The content focuses on bringing stories on digital technologies, the digital assets sectors, and creating social impact with accelerating progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a new initiative that responds to the demands of millennial investors, ensuring their investments have a direct impact on Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) actions. Molinari Media's Founder and CEO, Vince Molinari, commented, "The work being done by companies and individuals to solve the humanitarian and global challenges is extraordinary. We want to amplify these efforts to create further education and awareness in the Impact / Sustainability sector.”
Fintech Worldwide is the world's leading network for Fintech, Blockchain, and Digital Impact.
Molinari Media, PBC (MM) broadcasts from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Studios.
MM produces two programs – Digital Asset Report, which provides a weekly look forward on digital assets, blockchain, innovation, disruption, and legislation/regulation. Also, TheIMPACT which focuses on ESG investing and the Sustainability Development Goals of the United Nations.
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For press and general inquiries, please contact:
Vince Molinari | [email protected] | +1 (917) 886-7250
Paul Sweeting: Principal of Concurrent Media Strategies
Paul Sweeting: Principal of Concurrent Media Strategies
Rika Khurdayan of DILENDORF KHURDAYAN, PLLC & David Partner at Silver & Miller
Rika Khurdayan of DILENDORF KHURDAYAN, PLLC & David Partner at Silver & Miller
Dara Albright and Stacy Robin of EISNERAMPER LLPs
Dara Albright and Stacy Robin of EISNERAMPER LLPs
“CELEBRATING WOMEN SDG HEROES WORLDWIDE”
"The 21st century must be the century of women's equality."
- Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres
WOMEN SDG HEROES WORLDWIDE is an original artistic debut uniting the transformational power of photography and the universal ambassadorship of music into a global tribute to the pioneering women on the frontline of the UN Sustainable Development Goal's Decade of Action 2020 - 2030, where all of our future will be decided. Featuring original SDG HEROES photography by Swiss-American SDG Photographer and Producer, RalphReutimann, the tribute is ignited with the duet anthem of "Put A Woman In Charge," by five-time Grammy Award winning Blues Musician, Songwriter & Producer, Keb' Mo', and four-time Grammy Award winning Singer & Songwriter, Rosanne Cash.
In honor of International Women's Day and International Women's Week, and in launching the Decade of Action 2020 - 2030 where we choose the world we want,
We call upon us all to remember, a simple truth:
As we search for solutions to Transform Our World...
She is likely standing right in front of us.
It is indeed time, to "Put A Woman In Charge."
GFSI Conference: Barbara VanRenterghem PH.D. from Food Safety Magazine
GFSI Conference: Barbara VanRenterghem PH.D., Editorial Director from Food Safety Magazine
GFSI Conference: Stephan Tromp, Managing Director of IFS
GFSI Conference: Stephan Tromp, Managing Director of IFS gives us an overview of IFS, their work with food manufacturers and private labels.
Who’s in Charge? Evaluating the Regulatory Landscape for Digital Assets
TABB Forum
Who’s in Charge? Evaluating the Regulatory Landscape for Digital Assets
By Herb Kozlov, Trevor Levine, and Christine Trent Parker, Reed Smith
Regulatory oversight of cryptocurrencies has seen a dramatic increase in the United States. While federal agencies have clarified that certain virtual currency-related activities may be subject to existing regulations, state agencies have taken the lead in issuing new regulations targeting virtual currencies. To provide an overview of the difference between the two approaches, Reed Smith attorneys examine developments in two key states as well as how the SEC and CFTC have been using their traditional frameworks to regulate the digital asset markets.
The recent dramatic increase in the use of virtual currencies such as bitcoin has led to a corresponding increase in regulatory oversight in the United States, particularly in the past two years. While various federal agencies have clarified through guidance that certain virtual currency-related activities may be subject to existing regulations (such as those governing money transmission), state agencies have been taking the lead in issuing new regulations specifically targeting virtual currencies.
To provide an overview of the difference between the two approaches, we will first examine developments in two key states seeking to lead the way in crafting a responsive regulatory framework: New York and Wyoming. Next, we will examine how the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission have been using their traditional frameworks to regulate the digital asset markets.
State Regulatory Developments
In 2019, both New York and Wyoming sought to add clarity to digital asset markets through both rulemaking and legislation.
New York
In December 2019, the New York Department of Financial Services proposed to update its regulations governing virtual currency licensees (i.e., those entities holding a BitLicense or trust charter) by adding: 1) a list of all coins permitted to be used in the virtual currency-related business activities of licensees without prior approval by DFS; and 2) a proposed model framework that licensees can utilize to create their own coin-listing policy, which could be used by licensees to self-certify the listing of new coins without DFS approval. If these rules are adopted, licensees will have more clarity about the legality of using specific currencies and a clear path forward to utilizing new virtual exchanges.
Wyoming
In February 2019, the Wyoming Legislature passed three laws adding clarity to the Wyoming digital asset regulatory landscape. SF0125 recognizes digital assets as property – paving the way for banks to custody digital assets – and defines them as “a representation of economic, proprietary or access rights that is stored in a computer readable format, and includes digital consumer assets, digital securities and virtual currency.” HB0185 permits corporations to issue tokenized stock certificates. And, finally, on Oct. 1, 2019, pursuant to HB0074, Wyoming began accepting applications from entities seeking to charter a special purpose depository institution, or SPDI. HB0074 was specifically enacted in response to the inability of blockchain innovators to access traditional banking services. Entities that become chartered SPDIs will be able to receive deposits, conduct asset management activities and provide custodial services.
In order to keep pace with innovation, to attract new fintech companies to their states and to provide market participants with regulatory clarity, both Wyoming and New York have chosen to update their regulatory regimes through legislation and rulemaking.
Federal Regulatory Developments
In 2019, the SEC and CFTC took a slightly different approach to the digital asset regulatory landscape than their counterparts in New York and Wyoming. While both agencies remain highly active in the space, both have predominantly relied on enforcement and the release of nonbinding frameworks and statements to stake out their positions on key digital asset-related issues.
Securities and Exchange Commission
In April 2019, SEC FinHub published a framework aimed at providing clear guidelines for market participants to analyze whether a digital asset is an “investment contract” and therefore a security under the U.S. securities laws. While the framework included several factors to weigh when considering the proper classification of a particular digital asset, it did not add any concrete or binding principles.
In October 2019, the SEC took a decisive enforcement action in initiating an action against Telegram Inc. in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York. The SEC is seeking an injunction against the launch of Telegram’s new blockchain ecosystem and companion virtual currency. In the complaint, the SEC alleged that Telegram sought to circumvent registering its new virtual currency as a security. Telegram argues in its answer that the virtual currency is a currency or commodity, not a security, and therefore is outside the SEC’s jurisdiction. The parties will argue their sides at a hearing on the court’s order to show cause in February 2020.
Digital asset market participants are following the matter closely, as the court’s decision could go a long way toward adding clarity to what constitutes a security in the world of digital assets.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The CFTC continued to pursue enforcement actions against virtual currency schemes charged with being fraudulent. While these actions are fundamental to the CFTC’s mandate to protect retail investors, they do not add much clarity to its regulatory approach to digital assets, as they are primarily traditional fraud cases.
Looking ahead, there are signs that the CFTC will play a bigger role in the digital asset regulatory space. In 2019, the CFTC approved the applications of several entities to become designated contract markets and derivatives clearing organizations that offer and clear derivatives in virtual currencies. The CFTC’s ability to apply all of its regulatory authority in the digital assets markets will help bring greater clarity to and understanding of market participants, market fundamentals and new products.
In addition to having increased visibility into virtual currency markets through regulatory authority over related derivatives markets, the CFTC is also expected to release its final rulemaking on what constitutes actual delivery of a digital asset with respect to retail commodity transactions in virtual currency, thereby providing added clarity to participants seeking to offer virtual currencies to retail customers on a leveraged or margined basis.
Looking Forward
These recently promulgated state regulatory regimes and statutes, along with the guidance provided by state and federal agencies regarding the application of existing regulations to virtual currency, have major implications for companies engaged in virtual currency activities from a licensing, supervision, compliance and cost perspective.
Though many questions remain, the sustained growth of virtual currencies will no doubt continue to solicit attention from regulators and legislators, leading to additional regulation and greater clarity in the coming years to protect market participants.
Herb Kozlov, Trevor Levine and Christine Trent Parker are attorneys in Reed Smith’s global Fintech practice.
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Global Impact Comes From Female Co-Founders Success With $1B Enterprise
Global Impact Comes From Female Co-Founders Success With $1B Enterprise