GRC Report Staff

Drexel Hamilton Fined & Censured for Falsifying Retail Bond Orders

Drexel Hamilton, a well-known broker-dealer, is facing serious penalties from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) after it was found to have misrepresented retail orders during new issue municipal bond offerings. The firm has been censured, fined $300,000, and ordered to return over $837,000 in profits from its improper practices, which were conducted between 2016 and 2018.

EU Council Adopts New ESG Ratings Regulation, Following UK's Recent Regulatory Push

The Council of the European Union has adopted a new regulation today to oversee Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating activities, following a similar move by the UK government earlier this month to bring these influential metrics under regulatory supervision.

Shell Prevails in Appeal Against Landmark Climate Ruling Following Dutch Court Decision

The Hague Court of Appeal delivered its judgment last Tuesday in the closely watched appeal between Shell and Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie). While the court reaffirmed that Shell is responsible for reducing its carbon emissions, it concluded that the company should not be bound by a specific reduction rate.

Bribes, Resorts, & the High Price of Corruption: BIT Mining’s FCPA Scandal

What happens when a company bets big on bribery but loses the house? For BIT Mining Ltd., the answer is a bruising encounter with U.S. regulators. Formerly known as 500.com, the Chinese company has found itself at the heart of a sprawling corruption scandal, accused of paying nearly $2 million in bribes to Japanese officials to win a coveted casino contract. But the deal didn’t pan out, and now BIT Mining is paying the price— both financially and in terms of its reputation.

EU Defers Deforestation Regulation, Giving Companies the Time to Meet Compliance Standards

The European Union has decided to postpone the enforcement of its landmark deforestation regulation by one year. Originally set to take effect on December 31, 2024, this new timeline will allow companies, traders, and third countries additional time—until December 2025 for large operators and until mid-2026 for small businesses—to meet the stringent requirements set by the law. This decision comes after widespread concerns voiced by various stakeholders, including EU member states, international trade partners, and industry groups, who warned that the original deadline was too ambitious for full compliance.

UK Proposes Law to Regulate ESG Ratings Providers, Aiming for Transparency & Investor Confidence

The UK government has recently unveiled draft legislation to regulate providers of these influential metrics. The proposal, which would place ESG ratings firms under the oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), reflects growing concerns about transparency and accountability in an industry that increasingly shapes global investment decisions.

Telecoms Under Siege: What the Latest Cyber Breach Spree Means for Security

In an era when cyber threats have become as routine as morning coffee, the latest breach targeting T-Mobile and other telecom giants is a stark reminder that some attacks still have the power to shake us. This wasn’t a random smash-and-grab operation; it was a meticulously orchestrated cyber-espionage campaign, reportedly tied to a group of elite hackers, that infiltrated the very backbone of communication networks.