United States – Global Investment Law Watch

Compliance Outreach Program: Private Funds Panel

Nov 07 2024

By: Pablo J. Man, TJ Bright, and Matthew F. Phillips

On 7 November 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Divisions of Examinations, Investment Management, and Enforcement hosted a virtual panel on compliance and enforcement topics as part of its broader National Compliance Outreach Seminar. This blog post provides a high-level overview of the private fund topics that were covered, but the agenda included a broad array of additional topics.

US Finalizes Restrictions on Outbound Investments Into China’s Semiconductors, Quantum Technologies and AI – Implications on US LP Investors

Nov 06 2024

By Yuki Sako, Nathaniel Bolin, and Steven Hill

On 28 October, US Treasury issued new rules that restrict investment in Chinese development of semiconductors, quantum computing and AI (Covered Activity). Taking effect on 2 January 2025, the new rules are based on findings that China’s support for those industries threatens US national security.

Cooking the Books: CFTC Turns Up the Heat on Voluntary Carbon Market Fraudsters

Oct 17 2024

By: Cheryl L. Isaac, Clifford C. Histed, and Benjamin C. Skillin

On 2 October 2024, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced multiple actions related to fraud in the voluntary carbon credit (VCC) market, just over one year after establishing the Environmental Fraud Task Force. Specifically, the CFTC filed a complaint in federal court against the former CEO of a carbon credit project developer and, on the same day, settled charges against CQC Impact Investors LLC (CQC) and its former COO, all related to a deceptive scheme purportedly intended to reduce carbon emissions.

Why the CTA Should Be at the Top of Your End-of-Year Checklist

Oct 15 2024

By: C. Todd Gibson, Robert H. McCarthy Jr., and Jamie M. Robinson

The time has come to finalize those end-of-year checklists and for anyone with US entities, foreign entities doing business in the United States, or for those who are planning to form or register entities to do business in the United States, the United States Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) should be at the top of the list. This includes investment advisers and funds that they manage.

Extra Credit Projects: SEC Settles Charges Against Carbon Offset Project Developer for US$250 Million Offering Fraud

Oct 07 2024

By: Pablo Man and Benjamin Skillin

On 2 October 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced settled charges against one of the largest carbon credit project developers (the Developer), for fraudulently altering data concerning its business and making material misrepresentations in the offering of equity to institutional investors in the United States. The SEC’s order found that the Developer violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder.

Volunteer Fire Fighters: CFTC Attempts to Boost Integrity of Voluntary Carbon Credit Derivative Contracts With New Guidance for DCMS

Sep 24 2024

By Cheryl L. Isaac, Matthew J. Rogers, and Benjamin C. Skillin

On 20 September 2024, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) released final guidance regarding the listing of voluntary carbon credit (VCC) derivative contracts on CFTC-registered exchanges known as designated contract markets (DCMs). VCCs are tradable, intangible instruments issued by a carbon crediting program and generally represent the equivalent of one metric ton of carbon dioxide avoided or removed from the atmosphere. As with other commodities, the CFTC does not have regulatory authority over VCCs, but can promulgate guidance and regulations related to derivatives on VCCs.

DOL Fiduciary Rule: The Saga Continues With Eleventh Hour Appeal of Fiduciary Rule Stay

Sep 23 2024

By: Robert L. Sichel and Ruth E. Delaney

In July, two federal district courts in Texas stayed the effective date (slated for 23 September) of the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) amended fiduciary rule that would define when a financial professional is acting as a “fiduciary” under ERISA by virtue of providing nondiscretionary investment advice to participants in 401(k) plans, IRAs, and similar clients. On Friday 20 September 2024, the DOL informed the courts that the DOL is appealing to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to reverse the lower courts’ decisions.

Firms Fail to File 13Fs, Fines Follow

Sep 18 2024

By: C. Todd Gibson, Pablo J. Man, and Brian Doyle-Wenger

On 17 September 2024, the SEC announced settled charges against 11 institutional investment managers for failing to file Form 13F. In addition, two of the 11 firms also failed to file Forms 13H as large traders. The penalties ranged from US$175,000 to US$725,000, and in the aggregate exceeded US$3 million combined. However, two firms self-reported and paid no penalties and one firm self-reported Form 13H filing violations and paid no penalties on that portion of the settlement. Furthermore, all of the institutional investment managers made remedial filings covering several years (in one case over 50 such filings).

End of Summer Pool Party: CFTC Approves Final Rule Amending 4.7 Regulatory Relief for CPOs and CTAs

Sep 17 2024

By: Cheryl L. Isaac, Matthew J. Rogers, and Benjamin C. Skillin

On 12 September 2024, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) published a Final Rule impacting registered commodity pool operators (CPOs) and commodity trading advisors (CTAs) relying on the regulatory relief provided under CFTC Regulation 4.7. “Registration light,” as Regulation 4.7 is sometimes known, provides reduced disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping obligations for CPOs and CTAs that limit sales activities to “qualified eligible persons” (QEPs).

After Approval at DC District Court, Appeals Court Halts Trading Event Contracts Based on Election Outcomes

Sep 13 2024

By: Cliff C. Histed, Cheryl L. Isaac, and Wiley F. Cole

On 12 September 2024, the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in KalshiEx LLC v. CFTC that designated contract markets may list event contracts whose payouts are tied to the outcome of elections. The court’s order, which granted summary judgment to KalshiEx LLC (Kalshi), held that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) interpreted its own regulations too broadly and that registered derivatives exchanges such as Kalshi may offer election outcome event contracts for trading.

Tag:United States