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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12 Month Review of Revised FATF Standards – Virtual Assets and VASPs
Our latest expert insight from Jonathan C. Dunsmoor of Dunsmoor Law, P.C. reviews the impact of the revised FAFT standards on the virtual asset industry
SEC Charges App Developer for Unregistered Security-Based Swap Transactions
Our latest expert insight from Kayvan B. Sadeghi of Schiff Hardin LLP highlights the recent action from both the SEC and CFTC against app developer Abra for unregistered transactions
Fireside Chat: Is Retail Wealth Management Ready for Virtual Assets?
Join our latest live fireside chat to learn how wealth managers worldwide are exploring the emerging virtual asset industry for retail investors












