January 2021 Regulatory Updates

Regulatory Actions and Updates from Around the Globe
Enforcement Highlights – January 2021
United States:
- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged online entertainment and live streaming company Vuuzle Media USD $14 million for securities fraud.
- Fund manager at MG Capital Management real estate fund was charged by the SEC with misappropriating $7 million from retail investors.
- The SEC charged Deutsche Bank AG with violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) due to a lack of sufficient internal accounting controls. The bank agreed to pay $43 million in disgorgement and interest.
Germany:
- BaFin imposed a EUR 282,500 fine on SLEEPZ AG e-commerce group for failing to comply with financial reporting requirements.
Hong Kong:
- The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued restriction notices to five brokers to freeze client accounts related to suspected market manipulation.
Regulatory Updates
Austria:
An Austrian startup building an app for trading in security tokens became the first fintech company to be admitted to Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA) regulatory sandbox.
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FMA announced that it has granted registration to 18 virtual asset providers since tightening anti-money laundering regulations in January 2020.
Past events:
Mergers & Acquisitions – The Future of Enhanced Due Diligence

Missed our January 2021 Fireside Chat? Watch the full event where guest panelists discuss the trends for enhanced due diligence within mergers and acquisitions for both buyers and sellers, and the importance that proper due diligence plays in successful M&A transactions.
learn more
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AML & Source of Funds Verification in Canadian Real Estate: Getting Ahead of FINTRAC Reform
Canadian real estate faces stricter AML enforcement in 2025. This article outlines how brokers, lawyers, and lenders can streamline source of funds checks and meet FINTRAC standards with iComply.
KYB for Nonprofits: How U.S. NGOs Can Meet AML Requirements Without Disrupting Donor Trust
Explore how U.S.-based nonprofits can verify partners, grantees, and affiliates without disrupting donor relationships. Learn how iComply supports transparent, audit-ready KYB for NGOs.
AML and Sanctions Screening for UK MSBs: Staying Ahead of FCA Enforcement in 2025
UK MSBs face increased FCA scrutiny in 2025. This article shows how to modernize AML and sanctions screening to reduce false positives, manage alerts, and stay compliant at scale.












