Written by:   Mark E. Ruddy, Esq. Maria Fielding National Futures Association (“NFA”) Proposes Virtual Currency Activities Disclosure Requirements NFA submitted an Interpretive Notice to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regarding virtual currency disclosure requirements. Due to the unique nature of virtual currency activities, NFA has determined that customers may not fully understand the nature of and potential risks involved in virtual currency activities. In the notice, NFA also reminds Members of Compliance Rule 2-29, which prohibits the use of any promotional material that is misleading or deceptive; something Members should also consider when drafting virtual currency disclosure materials. Details…...

How to Launch a Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund: Manager Registration Considerations Unlike other private funds, complex analysis is required to determine registration considerations for the manager of a crypto fund. This is because, unlike other asset categories such as securities and futures, cryptocurrency investments are not their own asset class. Rather, such investments are currently regulated by the asset class that a particular instrument most closely resembles – such as  a security, commodity, commodity interest, cash or consumer item. Consequently, launching a crypto fund requires an in-depth understanding of securities and commodities laws, as well as on ongoing review of regulatory…...

If you utilize suspense accounts this is an advisory that recently came out that if you haven’t taken note of you should.  New guidance that will become effective on October 1, 2018 effects those utilizing certain types of trading activities.  Be sure to read through the below advisory to make sure you are covered.  If you have questions or concerns we always advise to contact your compliance or legal professional.  If you would like a recommendation on a compliance or legal professional who is well versed in this area please feel free to reach out to the NIBA for a…...

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced today that it has unanimously approved proposed amendments to its regulations to simplify obligations imposed on a self-regulatory organization (SRO) when carrying out its financial surveillance program for futures commission merchants (FCMs). The proposed amendments to Regulation 1.52 revises certain minimum standards that an SRO must maintain in its financial surveillance program over FCMs to ensure their compliance with the CFTC rules and regulations as well as those of the SRO.  The proposal is a result of the CFTC’s Project KISS initiative, which requested public input on simplifying and modernizing the agency’s regulations to…...

CME Group’s Market Regulation Department works to protect the market integrity of all four of its Exchanges – CME, CBOT, NYMEX & COMEX.  Take a look at the “Wash Trades” video below produced by CME.  This is an intro to what to look out for and how to educate yourself about wash trades. These videos are very informative and make for great content when educating new brokers or market participants.  NIBA will be publishing more video content on a regular basis and we encourage our members to utilize these tools on their websites and other mediums....

On May 17, I represented the NIBA at the U.S. House Agricultural Committee Reception hosted by the NFA. This annual event takes during the days NFA holds its board meeting in Washington. Mike Burke and Scott Stewart, IIB representative and GIB representatives respectively were both in DC for these meetings. While in Washington, Mike and I visited with the CFTC to discuss issues suggested by NIBA members. A summary of that meeting will be posted in a future newsletter. Discussions were also held with members of the legislature, the FIA and to further the planning for both our DePaul Symposium…...

The US is not the only part of the world with new regulation to comply with.  The EU has recently put forth the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).  If you do not do business in the EU an do not have any customers from that region – this is as far as you need to read.  However, if you do have EU based customers or offices in the EU, please refer to the link below for additional information regarding the GDPR and how it comes into play for your operation.  If you have questions or concerns please feel free to…...

Written by:      Mark E. Ruddy, Esq. Maria Fielding National Futures Association (“NFA”) Stays Virtual Currency Reporting Requirements NFA announced on December 14, 2017 that it would require additional reporting requirements from commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) and commodity trading advisors (“CTAs”) who are involved in virtual currency transactions and introducing brokers (“IBs”) who accept orders in virtual currency derivatives. On March 27, 2018, NFA released Notice to Members I-18-07 to inform CPOs, CTAs, and IBs that they are currently not required to file the additional reporting requirements previously announced in December 2017. NFA cautioned, however, that it may contact individual firms…...

CME Group’s Market Regulation Department works to protect the market integrity of all four of its Exchanges – CME, CBOT, NYMEX & COMEX.  Take a look at the “Meet the Team” video below produced by CME.  These videos are very informative and make for great content when educating new brokers or market participants.  NIBA will be publishing more video content on a regular basis and we encourage our members to utilize these tools on their websites and other mediums....

Your NIBA representatives will be travelling to Washington D.C. next month to meet with our industry’s top regulators to discuss issues that are important to our membership.  If you have a topic or concern you would like to discuss with NIBA please reach out to us at [email protected]  Part of the NIBAs mission is to be a voice to the brokerage and trading communities and to raise awareness on issues that directly affect the way you conduct business.  Look for a report on our trip in an upcoming compliance edition of NIBAs newsletter....