Regulatory compliance is a prerequisite for a FinTech company’s success. Federal, state and local governments have agencies that regulate and oversee all financial markets. These financial regulators enforce applicable laws, work to prevent market manipulation, test the competence of financial service providers, conduct regular inspections, and investigate and prosecute misconduct.
Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
The mission of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is to foster open, transparent, competitive, and financially sound markets. By working to avoid systemic risk, the Commission aims to protect market users and their funds, consumers, and the public from fraud, manipulation, and abusive practices related to derivatives and other products that are subject to the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). They have particular focus on cryptocurrencies and the trading of cryptocurrencies.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) makes consumer financial markets work for consumers, responsible providers, and the economy as a whole. The CFPB protects consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and takes action against companies that break the law. It provides people with the information, steps, and tools that they need to make smart financial decisions. The agency does take complaints on virtual currency product or service and they do issue Consumer Advisories like one in August 2014 "Risks to consumers posed by virtual currencies." Available for download is the following Consumer Financial Protection Bureau paper. Just click on the link and search for titles like "Understanding online marketplace lending."
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency created by Congress to maintain stability and public's confidence in the nation's financial system. To ensure consumer confidence, the FDIC insures deposits and examines and supervises financial institutions for their safety and soundness. Available for download are the following FDIC research papers. Just click on the FDIC link and search for the following titles:
•2017 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households.
•Opportunities for Mobile Financial Services to Engage Underserved Customers
•Bank Efforts to Serve Unbanked and Underbanked ConsumersThe Federal Reserve System (Fed) includes three key entities: The Board of Governors, 12 Federal Reserve Banks, and the Federal Open Market Committee. The Fed serves the public's interest by performing five functions that promote the effective operation of the U.S. economy. Those five functions include: conducting monetary policy, supervising and regulating financial institutions and their activities, promoting consumer protection and community development, promoting financial systems stability, and fostering payment and settlement systems safety and efficiency. Available for download are some Federal Reserve System research papers. Just click on the Federal Reserve Systems link and search for the following titles:
•Distributed Ledger Technology: Implications of Blockchain for the Securities Industry.
•Cryptocurrencies, Digital Currencies, and Distributed Ledger Technologies: What Are We Learning?
•Blockchain and Financial Market Innovation. June 2017, PDP 2017-03. The Federal Reserve Board of Chicago.
•What Are We Learning about Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 13, 2018Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC is a bipartisan federal agency with a unique dual mission to protect consumers and promote competition.
Financial Crimes Enforcement (FinCEN)
The mission of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is to safeguard the financial system from illicit use, combat money laundering, and promote national security through the strategic use of financial authorities and the collection, analysis, and dissemination of financial intelligence.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
FINRA is neither a government agency nor a non-profit authorized by Congress. However, its mission is to facilitate investor protections and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation of broker-dealers. It accomplishes this by writing and enforcing governing rules that affecting the activities of registered broker-dealer firms and registered brokers. FINRA also conducts compliance examinations aimed at fostering market transparency and educating investors. Available for download is the following Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s research paper. Just click on the FINRA link and search for the following title:
•Distributed Ledger Technology: Implications of Blockchain for the Securities Industry.See AlsoAbout OCCInternal Revenue Service (IRS)
In 2014, the IRS ruled that virtual currency transactions are taxable by law just like transactions in any other property. Taxpayers transacting in virtual currency may have to report those transactions on their tax returns.
National Futures Association (NFA) External
National Futures Association (NFA) is a self-regulatory organization for the U.S. derivatives industry and strives to safeguard the integrity of the derivatives markets, protect investors and ensure Members meet their regulatory responsibilities.
Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"), US Department of the Treasury
The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States. This site includes information about sanction programs.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) charters, regulates, and supervises all national banks and federal savings associations as well as federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. The OCC is an independent bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The OCC’s mission is to ensure that national banks and federal savings associations operate in a safe and sound manner, provide fair access to financial services, treat customers fairly, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. Available for download is the following Office of the Comptroller of the Currency research paper. Just click on the OCC link and search for the following title: Exploring Special Purpose National Bank Charters for FinTech Companies
Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)
U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) mission is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation. Be sure to check out the SEC’s Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology (FinHub).
Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial (SWIFT) External
SWIFT has the products and services that is the messaging platform that connects more than 11,000 banking and securities organizations, market infrastructures and corporate customers in more than 200 countries. It does not hold or manage it enables the communication, securely, exchanging standardized financial messages. It has 3 broad areas: Securities, Treasury & Derivatives; Trade Services; and Payments & Cash Management.
