Walmart’s U.S. patent application involving blockchain technology is one of many blockchain-based patent applications that have been filed by large companies smitten with blockchain technology. Published May 17, 2018, but filed November 16, 2017, the application is based on a provisional patent filing in November 2016. In its application, Walmart seeks to patent a blockchain-based
Crypto Currency
A Summary of the SEC’s Director of Corporation Finance Speech on Cryptocurrencies
On June 14, 2018, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance Director, William Hinman, gave a speech titled “Digital Asset Transactions: When Howey Met Gary (Plastic).” This speech provides additional insight into the SEC’s view as to whether cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (“ICOs”) are securities. Here is a summary:
In his speech, Hinman…
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: Recent Legal and Regulatory Developments
The first two weeks in March 2018 have seen a number of developments with respect to the regulation of cryptocurrencies in the United States.
Regulation of Online Cryptocurrency Trading Platforms
On March 7, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a release addressing the regulation of online trading platforms (or exchanges) on which investors…