Archive:February 2023

1
AUSTRALIA: Treasury Releases Token Mapping Consultation Paper
2
High-Level Summary: Solving Common Failures in NFT Licensing
3
Crypto Platform Kraken Pays $30 Million and Ceases Staking Services to Settle SEC Charges
4
The CFPB Proposes New Credit Card Late Fee Limits
5
“MetaBirkin” NFT Maker Liable in TM Dispute
6
UK Regulation of Cryptoassets – Another Glimpse but Still None the Wiser

AUSTRALIA: Treasury Releases Token Mapping Consultation Paper

By Daniel Knight and Oliver Herrmann

New licensing requirements for crypto service providers are coming, following a series of consultations launched last week by Treasurer, Jim Chalmers. The Government approach focuses on strengthening enforcement, bolstering consumer protection and ultimately establishing a new licensing framework.

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High-Level Summary: Solving Common Failures in NFT Licensing

By Drew Hinkes, Elizabeth Thomsen, Josh Durham

As blockchain and nonfungible tokens (NFTs) are still new technologies, their legal infrastructure is still developing, creating potential vulnerabilities. Three such vulnerabilities were exposed in our previous article, available here. We have now issued a follow-up Alert that explores solutions to such licensing failures.  This blog is a high-level summary;  the full alert can be found here.

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Crypto Platform Kraken Pays $30 Million and Ceases Staking Services to Settle SEC Charges

By Drew Hinkes, Carly Howard, and Judie Rinearson

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a settlement with the digital assets/cryptocurrency exchange Kraken whereby Kraken agreed to cease offering or selling securities through its crypto asset staking services, and agreed to pay a penalty of $30 million (comprising disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties).

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The CFPB Proposes New Credit Card Late Fee Limits

By John ReVeal

On February 1, 2023, the CFPB proposed new rules to reduce the late fees that credit card issuers may charge to consumers (the “Proposed Rules”).  The CFPB refers to current late fees as “over the top” and “exorbitant.”  The CFPB indicates that it believes it has the authority to limit late fees under the CARD Act of 2009, which amended the Truth in Lending Act to require that late fees and other penalty fees be “reasonable and proportional to” the consumer’s violation of the cardholder agreement.     

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“MetaBirkin” NFT Maker Liable in TM Dispute

By Terrance D. Roberts

On February 8, 2023, a Manhattan federal jury found Mason Rothschild liable for trademark infringement for his non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”) called ‘MetaBirkins’. After only 3 days of deliberation, the 9 person jury sided with Hermѐs International and found Rothschild liable for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and for unlawfully cybersquatting on the domain name MetaBirkins.com.

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UK Regulation of Cryptoassets – Another Glimpse but Still None the Wiser

By Kai Zhang and Judie Rinearson

On 1 February, UK Government commenced another consultation on regulating cryptoassets (other initiatives consulted earlier remain being considered/legislated) which will close on 30 April. This is a consultation on the overall policy approach, i.e. no detailed rules.

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