Exploring the legal and regulatory issues affecting the worldwide asset management community.
By: Sarah V. Riddell and Vivian K. Bridges
The President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets Report (the Report) emphasizes that a clearly defined taxonomy is essential for establishing a regulated digital asset market and identifying the appropriate federal regulator (i.e., the SEC or CFTC) based on a digital asset’s functions.
Read MoreBy: Kai Zhang and Andrew Massey
Following a multi-firm review of sustainability reporting, the FCA has announced that it is considering how to streamline and enhance the UK’s sustainability reporting framework by simplifying disclosures, easing unnecessary compliance burdens, improving the decision-usefulness of reporting and promoting international alignment.
Read MoreBy: Ruth E. Delaney, Robert L. Sichel, and Jennifer L. Klass
On 7 August 2025, President Trump signed an executive order intended to modernize the 401(k) investment universe, directing the Secretary of Labor to clarify the US Department of Labor’s (DOL) position on fiduciary duties in connection with offering products containing exposure to alternative assets to defined contribution plans, such as 401(k) plans, potentially establishing “appropriately calibrated safe harbors” for such investments. The order also directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ease access to alternative assets for such plans by revisiting applicable regulations and guidance, including that related to accredited investor and qualified purchaser status.
Read MoreBy: Zainab Kuku, Philip Morgan, and Andrew Massey
As part of the UK government’s strategy to boost the competitiveness of the UK financial services sector and support growth, the overall burdens of the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) are to be reduced “by 50%”.
Read MoreBy: Rich Kerr and Keri Riemer
On 29 July 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a proposed rule change to list and trade shares of a multi-crypto asset exchange-traded product (ETP), under NYSE Arca Rule 8.201-E. This marks the first time that the SEC has approved the listing of an ETP that will invest in more than one type of crypto asset on a spot basis; until now, the SEC has only approved listing rules permitting single crypto asset ETPs to be listed. The approved multi-crypto asset ETP (the Trust) will invest in both bitcoin and ether on a spot basis.
Read MoreBy: Rich Kerr, Keri Riemer, Joshua Durham, and Lael Franco
On 29 July 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued an order approving proposed rule changes to permit various exchange-traded products (ETPs) to engage in creations and redemptions of their shares with authorized participants (APs) on an in-kind basis. The proposed rule changes were submitted by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. and NYSE Arca, Inc. (Exchanges) with respect to the ETPs seeking to engage in in-kind creations and redemptions.
Read MoreBy: Michael E. Ruck, Rosie Naylor, Jordan Hawthorne, and Laura Scott
We discussed in an earlier blog that the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority has axed proposed “name and shame” rules, retaining only an ability to make a public announcement about an investigation in “exceptional circumstances”. It has now published a revised Enforcement Guide which also details three specific circumstances in which it may make an announcement:
Read MoreBy: Jim Bulling, Alex Parker, and Thais Fernandes
On 16 July 2025, The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) published guidance on Governing for Net Zero: The Board’s Role in Organisational Transition Planning (ACSI & AICD Guide), which is designed to assist directors in preparing Climate-Related Transition Plans (Transition Plan).
Read MoreBy: Giles Bavister, Ayesha Gill, and Neil Woodgate
From 6 April 2026, carry will be redefined and taxed in the United Kingdom as deemed UK trade or business income where investment management services (as redefined) are performed in the UK. The relevant draft legislation was published by HMRC in July 2025.
By: Jennifer L. Klass and Richard F. Kerr
On July 21, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced that it is delaying the effective date of the investment adviser anti-money laundering rule (IA AML Rule) for two years from 1 January 2026 to 1 January 2028.
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