On May 17, 2023, Prometheum Ember Capital LLC (Prometheum Ember Capital), a subsidiary of Prometheum Inc., received approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to
Continue Reading FINRA Approves Prometheum Ember Capital LLC to Operate as Special Purpose Broker-Dealer for Digital AssetsMark D. Shaffer
Mark Shaffer advises U.S. and foreign financial institutions, broker-dealers, cryptocurrency businesses, fintech companies, and digital payment companies on a broad range of regulatory and compliance matters relating to SEC regulations, FRB and other banking regulations, FINRA rules, and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)/anti-money laundering (AML) laws and regulations. He frequently helps clients understand how such laws and regulations map onto new technologies and innovative products.
Mark assists financial institutions, their employees, and associated persons to respond to regulatory examinations and inquiries and provides effective representation in a range of enforcement proceedings. Mark has handled enforcement matters involving issues relating to currency and equities market manipulation, collusion, insider trading, money laundering, OFAC sanctions, false statements, and accounting fraud. Throughout his career, Mark has represented clients before the U.S. Department of Justice and regulators such as the SEC, CFTC, Federal Reserve, FinCEN, OFAC, and the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Mark has assisted multiple banking entities in resolving MRAs and MRIAs, and in developing and implementing compliance programs and regulatory remediation plans. Mark also assists companies in staying current on material changes to applicable laws, rules and regulations, and helps to develop or amend their policies, procedures, controls, compliance manuals and related training.
Prior to joining the firm, Mark practiced at two large law firms in Washington, D.C. and served as an in-house counsel and compliance officer at a variety of global financial institutions. Mark clerked for Judge Richard L. Nygaard of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
The 2023 Banking Crisis: Updated Questions & Answers for Insured and Uninsured Depositors, Other Affected Parties
On March 10, 2023, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation closed Silicon Valley Bank, Santa Clara, CA (SVB) and appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) receiver of…
Continue Reading The 2023 Banking Crisis: Updated Questions & Answers for Insured and Uninsured Depositors, Other Affected PartiesFederal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC Issue 2nd Joint Statement Highlighting Liquidity Risks to Banks Engaged in Crypto-Asset-Related Activities
On Feb. 23, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) (collectively…
Continue Reading Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC Issue 2nd Joint Statement Highlighting Liquidity Risks to Banks Engaged in Crypto-Asset-Related ActivitiesFederal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC Issue the First Joint Statement on Crypto-Asset Risks to Banking Organizations
On Jan. 3, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) (collectively…
Continue Reading Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC Issue the First Joint Statement on Crypto-Asset Risks to Banking OrganizationsCongress Codifies Longstanding M&A Broker Exemption from SEC Registration
On Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law H.R. 2617, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.” Among the routine federal funding provisions, Title V of the bill, the “Small…
Continue Reading Congress Codifies Longstanding M&A Broker Exemption from SEC RegistrationSEC Proposes to Establish a New Best Execution Standard
On Dec. 14, 2022, Gary Gensler, Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), released a statement announcing a proposal to establish an SEC rule setting forth a best…
Continue Reading SEC Proposes to Establish a New Best Execution StandardFINRA Files Amendments to Proposed Rule Change That Will Allow Remote Inspections
Last summer, the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) proposed a rule change to its supervision rule (FINRA Rule 3110) to allow member firms to conduct remote inspections of some or all…
Continue Reading FINRA Files Amendments to Proposed Rule Change That Will Allow Remote Inspections