Cryptocurrency

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued an interpretive letter addressing whether national banks must comply with state money transmitter licensing requirements, particularly when state exemptions are tied to FDIC insurance status. This guidance arose from a dispute with Iowa over Fidelity Digital Assets' licensing obligations and establishes important precedent for national trust banks operating in the cryptocurrency custody space.

Malta's financial regulator discusses the evolving landscape of capital markets, examining how digitalization and changing investor behaviors are reshaping the relationship between retail investors, institutional markets, and regulatory oversight.

AI fintech startups building products that move money, provide investment advice, custody assets, or facilitate financial transactions face complex regulatory questions across securities law, money transmission, banking, and digital assets. Understanding which regulated financial activities a product performs—and addressing those issues early in product design—can help founders preserve options and avoid building on top of regulatory problems.

CRA phishing scams and CRA impersonation fraud continue to increase across Canada, particularly during tax-filing season and periods involving government benefit payments.