Regulation
CFTC Appoints Dr. Ted Kaouk as First Chief AI Officer
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced the appointment of Dr. Ted Kaouk as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. As Dr. Kaouk is now acting as the Chief Data Officer and Director of the Division of Data at the CFTC, he will broaden his duties to oversee the development and execution of the CFTC’s overall data and artificial intelligence strategy.
This progress is intended to enhance oversight, surveillance, and enforcement, as well as other segments of the derivatives market in which the CFTC operates.
The CFTC now has a “Chief AI Officer”
What a time to be alive pic.twitter.com/fXZHz7eZzv
— M.B. (@741trey) May 1, 2024
Chairman Rostin Behnam highlighted the importance of advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence in evolving the operational systems of the CFTC. In Chairman Behnam’s words, Dr. Kaouk’s deep technical knowledge and prior successful leadership are critical for driving the CFTC’s initiatives at this current time. The inclusion of AI into the agency’s activities is anticipated to upgrade sets of skills, cultivate data utilized culture, and use AI for innovation within financial market rules.
Background and Expertise of Dr. Ted Kaouk
Prior to being at CFTC, Dr. Kaouk occupied positions in different government agencies. He was the Chief Data Officer at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), where his role was to develop the first federal government-wide human capital data strategy.
Among his accomplishments is the creation of the first enterprise data analytics and AI platform at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Kaouk’s leadership was also evident in his position as the first Chair of the Federal Chief Data Officers Council, which he led from its creation in 2020 until January 2024.
Dr. Kaouk’s professional journey began as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, after which he went on to pursue his education in renowned academic centers. He received his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, his master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and his PhD is from the University of Maryland, College Park.
AI Day and the Future of AI in Financial Regulation
In line with the announcement of Dr. Kaouk’s new role, the Commission’s Technology Advisory Committee (TAC), held under the sponsorship of Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero, has released the agenda for the upcoming “AI Day.” This event will be held at the CFTC’s Washington, D.C. headquarters, where the responsible introduction of AI in regulated financial services will be discussed. The day’s sessions will also involve input from AI experts across different sectors, including government regulators and the private sector.
“AI Day” Agenda Announced for May 2 @CFTC Technology Advisory Committee Meeting: https://t.co/r2WTmf7GY5
— CFTC (@CFTC) May 1, 2024
The workshops will address a few important topics, among which is Sunayna Tuteja, the Chief Innovation Officer of the Federal Reserve Board, presenting the role of AI in driving responsible innovation at the Federal Reserve. Additional presentations will concern market automation, the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and the U.S. Treasury Department’s report on AI in financial sector cyber security. The purpose of these discussions is to reflect on the application and regulation of AI equipment in the financial markets.
Concurrently, the AI Day event encourages public participation either in person or through a live webcast available on the CFTC’s official website. This initiative is a part of the TAC’s continuous endeavor to create the ground for informed conversations about the challenges of AI technologies at the interface of technology, law, and policy.
Read Also: Bitcoin (BTC) Now Worth Fewer Than 25 Ounces: Peter Schiff
The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
USDC issuer Circle is reportedly set to file its initial public offering (IPO) in April as part of the firm’s plans to finally go public. The stablecoin issuer is allegedly already working with top financial institutions to achieve this move.
Circle To File IPO In Late April
According to a Fortune report, Circle is looking to file its IPO in late April, although the listing period remains uncertain. The report noted that when a company files to go public, its shares usually begin trading four weeks later, indicating that the listing could occur in May. However, there is also a scenario where the IPO process could drag on for months.
The stablecoin issuer is reportedly working with investment banks JPMorgan Chase and Citi to achieve its long-anticipated IPO. The firm had previously tried to go public in 2021 under a SPAC arrangement with a shell company.
The US SEC failed to sign off on this arrangement back then, and the company eventually scrapped these IPO plans by the end of 2022 when the crypto exchange FTX collapsed and the broader crypto market experienced a downturn.
Revelation about Circle’s IPO plans comes just days after the stablecoin issuer partnered with NYSE’s parent company to explore USDC’s use in traditional finance (TradFi). Meanwhile, the USDC stablecoin recently launched in Japan following approval from the country’s regulator. Notably, USDC is the first and only global dollar stablecoin approved under Japan’s stablecoin framework.
An Easier Path Now For The Stablecoin Issuer
Circle will likely face less resistance for its IPO plans under the current SEC administration. Under acting Chair Mark Uyeda, the Commission has shown its willingness to work hand in hand with crypto firms, which was missing under Gary Gensler’s administration.
US SEC Chair nominee Paul Atkins has also shown his willingness to change the approach that Gensler’s administration adopted towards crypto firms. During his nomination hearing, the SEC Chair nominee promised to prioritize providing regulatory clarity for the industry.
Circle’s IPO listing would be the biggest since the top crypto exchange Coinbase went public in 2021. Interestingly, Coinbase owns an equity stake in the crypto firm.
The firm’s USDC is currently the second-largest stablecoin by market cap, only behind Tether’s USDT. The stablecoin industry is heating up as more financial institutions look to develop their own stablecoin.
Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial recently revealed plans to launch its USD1 stablecoin, while asset manager Fidelity is also considering doing so.
Boluwatife Adeyemi
Boluwatife Adeyemi is a well-experienced crypto news writer and editor who has covered topics that cut across several topics and niches. Boluwatife has a knack for simplifying the most technical concepts and making it easy for crypto newbies to understand. Away from writing, He is an avid basketball lover, a traveler and a part-time degen.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
Cryptocurrency investors in Japan are bracing for impact following a plan to reclassify digital assets as financial products. While the plan has elicited excitement from cryptocurrency enthusiasts in the Far East, the ambitious plan will have to scale several legislative hurdles.
Japan Targets Reclassification Of Cryptocurrencies As Financial Products
According to a report by Nikkei, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is inching toward classifying cryptocurrencies as financial products. Per the report, the FSA intends to achieve the reclassification via an amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
Currently, digital assets in Japan are considered crypto assets conferred with property rights and seen as payment means. Under the FSA’s plans, cryptocurrencies in Japan will be treated as financial products in the same manner as traditional financial products.
The FSA says it will adopt a slow and steady approach toward the reclassification, carrying out “a private expert study group” to test the waters. If everything goes according to plan, the FSA will submit the amended bill to Parliament in early 2026.
The classification of cryptocurrencies as financial products will have far-reaching consequences for the local ecosystem. Experts say treating cryptocurrencies as financial products will bring Japan closer to a crypto ETF launch amid a changing regulatory landscape.
Furthermore, the move may lower current cryptocurrency taxation for local investors since existing capital market rules will apply to the asset class.
A Fresh Bill For Crypto Insider Trading Is Underway
Apart from the reclassification, the FSA disclosed plans for new legislation against insider trading. The move flows treating cryptocurrencies as financial products and will strengthen existing investor protection rules.
“It is a direction to establish a new insider trading regulation that prohibits trading based on unpublished internal information,” said the FSA. “We will develop laws to prevent unfair transactions.”
However, Japan’s cryptocurrency scene is heating up to a boil, driven by local and international players. Last week, stablecoin issuer Circle secured approval from the FSA for USDC with top exchanges set to list the stablecoin.
Japan’s Metaplanet has tapped Eric Trump to join its Strategic Board of Advisors as it continues to load up Bitcoin.
Aliyu Pokima
Aliyu Pokima is a seasoned cryptocurrency and emerging technologies journalist with a knack for covering needle-moving stories in the space. Aliyu delivers breaking news stories, regulatory updates, and insightful analysis with depth and precision. When he’s not poring over charts or following leads, Aliyu enjoys playing the bass guitar, lifting weights and running marathons.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
In what is being dubbed a major development in the crypto regulation space, the Governor of the US state of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, has signed the ‘Bitcoin Rights’ bill into law. The law promises to safeguard protections for Bitcoin (BTC) users.
Bitcoin Rights Bill Comes Into Effect
Crypto regulations continue to evolve under pro-crypto US President Donald Trump’s administration. In the latest development, Kentucky has become the newest state to enshrine protections for digital asset users.
In an X post published on March 24, crypto advocacy group Satoshi Action Fund announced that Governor Beshear had signed the much-anticipated Bitcoin Rights bill into law. The post stated:
The right to self-custody, run a node, and use of digital assets is now protected for millions of Americans without fear of discrimination.
The bill was first introduced to the Kentucky House by Rep. Adam Bowling on February 19. According to the bill’s description, it seeks to safeguard users’ rights to use digital assets and self-custody wallets. Additionally, it aims to prohibit local zoning changes that discriminate against crypto mining operations.
The legislation outlines guidelines for running a digital asset node and excludes digital asset mining from money transmitter license requirements. It also clarifies that crypto mining or staking is not considered an offer or sale of securities.
On February 28, the bill passed Kentucky’s House of Representatives with a unanimous vote of all 91 representatives in favor. It later passed the Kentucky Senate on March 13, receiving backing from all 37 senators.
Kentucky’s proactive stance toward cryptocurrencies isn’t new. Earlier this year, the state became the 16th US state to introduce legislation seeking to create a Bitcoin strategic reserve.
Meanwhile, neighboring state Arizona is also joining the crypto movement. A recent X post by Bitcoin Laws revealed that Arizona’s House Rules Committee has passed two Bitcoin reserve bills — SB1373 and SB1025. These bills will now head to a full floor vote.
Renewed Optimism Under Trump Administration
Following Trump’s victory in the November presidential election, cryptocurrency regulations in the US are evolving rapidly, with many states introducing legislation aimed at strengthening their digital asset ecosystems and attracting crypto businesses.
Positive changes in crypto regulations are encouraging industry businesses to expand. For instance, leading crypto trading platform Coinbase recently announced plans to hire 1,000 employees in the US.
The Trump administration has also witnessed several lawsuits being dropped against major crypto entities, including Kraken, Coinbase, Gemini, and others. At press time, Bitcoin trades at $87,399, down 0.2% in the past 24 hours.
Featured Image from Unsplash.com, chart from TradingView.com
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