Compliance & Ethics

FCA Breaks New Ground with First-Ever Fine for MiFIR Transaction Reporting Failures

Regulators have fired their first warning shot under MiFIR, and it’s landed squarely on Infinox Capital Limited. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined the firm £99,200 for failing to report over 46,000 transactions, a lapse that could have left market abuse undetected.

KuCoin Pleads Guilty to Unlicensed Money Transmission, Agrees to Nearly $300 Million in Penalties

For years, KuCoin marketed itself as the “People’s Exchange,” a go-to platform for crypto traders worldwide. But behind the sleek interface and global appeal, U.S. authorities say KuCoin was playing fast and loose with the law—allowing billions in potentially illicit funds to flow through its platform with little to no oversight. Now, that game is up.

FSMA Inspections of Currency Exchange Offices: A Critical Assessment of Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing Efforts

In an effort to tighten up Belgium’s defenses against money laundering and terrorism financing, the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) recently conducted comprehensive inspections of eight currency exchange offices. The goal was to assess how well these businesses are adhering to the country’s robust anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) regulations. And what the FSMA found wasn’t just a few minor lapses—it uncovered systemic weaknesses that pose significant compliance risks.

Pharnext Faces €800,000 Fine for Failing Transparency Tests in Drug Approval Saga

Transparency isn’t just a buzzword in the biotech world—it’s the lifeblood of investor trust. And when it’s absent, as French biotech firm Pharnext discovered, the consequences can be costly.

A New Era at the CFTC: Acting Chair Caroline Pham Ushers in Leadership Changes

Change is in the air at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). With the arrival of a new administration, Acting Chair Caroline Pham has wasted no time in setting the tone for her tenure, announcing sweeping leadership updates across the agency.

UBS Pays $1.1 Million Fine for Misreporting Millions of Trades

In a settlement with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), UBS Financial Services Inc. (UBS FSI) agreed to a $1.1 million fine and a censure following a six-year span of inaccurate trade data submissions that affected more than 4.4 million transactions.

Danske Bank Faces $4.4 Million Fine for Market Manipulation

In a move against one of Scandinavia’s banking giants, Norway's Finanstilsynet has fined Danske Bank approximately $4.4 million (NOK 50 million) for market manipulation tied to a high-stakes government bond issuance in early 2023. The penalty underscores the seriousness of tampering with market benchmarks, particularly when taxpayer dollars are on the line.