The Securities and Exchange Commission, with aligned guidance from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, issued a comprehensive interpretation clarifying how federal securities laws apply to crypto assets and certain crypto transactions. The release introduces a functional taxonomy, explains when non‑security crypto assets can become subject to an investment contract under Howey, and addresses the securities
Treasury Seeks Further Comment on the GENIUS Act
The Department of Treasury has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to implement the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. Comments are due October 20, 2025.
Through this ANPRM, Treasury is seeking public comment on potential regulations that may be promulgated by Treasury, including regarding regulatory clarity, prohibitions on
SEC Clarifies that Mandatory Arbitration Provisions Will Not Affect Effectiveness of Registration Statements
Overview
On September 17, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a final rule and policy statement clarifying that the inclusion of mandatory arbitration provisions between issuers and investors will not affect the staff’s decision to accelerate the effectiveness of registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933. The SEC’s new policy focuses on
Treasury Solicits Comments on Genius Act
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a Request for Comment required by the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, or the GENIUS Act, which furthers the Trump Administration’s policy of supporting the responsible growth and use of digital assets, as outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14178 on “Strengthening American Leadership in
Court Invalidates Indemnification Claim for Failure to Comply with Dispute Resolution Provisions
Halinski v. ADS Grp. Acquisition, LLC (Del. Ch. (7/25) discusses the propriety of indemnification claims. The relevant SPA deferred payment of a $4,439,000 Tax Holdback to cover certain possible post-closing tax liabilities. Over time, the SPA required Purchaser to release the Tax Holdback to Sellers in three unequal installments. Purchaser released the First Intermediate
Chancery Dismisses Three-Pronged Breach of Fiduciary Claims
The Delaware Court of Chancery dismissed three claims in Ritchie v. Baker (6/25). Broadly speaking, the plaintiff failed to adequately plead demand futility under Court of Chancery Rule 23.1 because the complaint did not establish that a majority of the demand board faced a substantial likelihood of liability on non-exculpated claims.
The plaintiff sought to
SEC Withdraws Proposed Shareholder Proposal Rules
The SEC has withdrawn proposed rules captioned “Substantial Implementation, Duplication, and Resubmission of Shareholder Proposals Under Exchange Act Rule 14a-8″. In conjunction therewith the SEC announced “The Commission does not intend to issue final rules with respect to these proposals.”
The SEC also withdrew 13 other proposed rules related to the Division of Investment Management
Is there a Simplification of the SEC’s Executive Compensation Rules in the Works?
The SEC announced today that it will host a roundtable on June 26, 2025, to discuss executive compensation disclosure requirements. The roundtable’s agenda and speakers will be disclosed at a later date.
Concurrently with the announcement of the roundtable, SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins issued a statement regarding the roundtable, including questions for the staff
SEC Comment Letters Did Not Form Basis for Caremark Claim
Amongst the issues discussed in a Delaware Chancery Court opinion in a case captioned In re Plug Power Inc. Stockholder Derivative Litigation, was whether SEC comment letters formed a basis for a Caremark Claim.
The Company received five comment letters from the SEC between mid-2018 and early 2021. The letters were dated September 5
2025 Changes to the Minnesota Business Corporation Act
- Provides that bylaws may address emergency powers of a corporation where it is impracticable for the corporation to conduct affairs in accordance with the Minnesota Business Corporation Act
- Permits ratification or validation of defective corporate acts
- Allows a board