The SEC staff has promulgated new views on stablecoins. Specifically, the staff statement addresses stablecoins that are designed to maintain a stable value relative to the United States Dollar, or “USD,” on a one-for-one basis, can be redeemed for USD on a one-for-one basis (i.e., one stablecoin to one USD), and are backed by assets
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Steve Quinlivan
Steve has a strong reputation in M&A, securities and international transactions, offering a rare combination of excellence and value who presents well to boards. Steve represents clients across the United States in mergers and acquisitions, ESOPs, REITs, securities regulation, securities offerings, international transactions and financing matters. He uses his deep background in law, finance, accounting and project management to complete his clients' most strategically important and challenging assignments.
SEC Walks Away From Climate Disclosure Litigation
The SEC announced that the Commission had voted to end its defense of the rules requiring disclosure of climate-related risks and greenhouse gas emissions.
SEC Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda said, “The goal of today’s Commission action and notification to the court is to cease the Commission’s involvement in the defense of the costly and…
SEC Addresses Crypto Proof-of-Work Mining Activities
The SEC looked favorably on designated crypto mining activities by stating that such activities are not securities. Specifically, the SEC addressed “proof-of-work” activities. According to the SEC, Proof-of-work (“PoW”) is a consensus mechanism that incentivizes network transaction validation by rewarding network participants, called “miners,” who operate nodes adding computational resources to the network. PoW involves…
SEC Expands Confidential Filings to Facilitate Planning for IPOs
- Expanding the availability of the nonpublic review process for the initial registration of a class of securities under the Exchange Act to
SEC Staff Signs Off on Meme Coins
The SEC Staff at the Division of Corporation Finance issued a statement which said “It is the Division’s view that transactions in the types of meme coins described in this statement, do not involve the offer and sale of securities under the federal securities laws.”
What types of meme coins were described? “A “meme coin”…
Corporation Finance Director Speaks to Information Sharing Following Cybersecurity Disclosure
Erik Gerding, Director, SEC Division of Corporation Finance, issued a statement to clear up misconceptions following filing of an 8-K disclosing a cybersecurity incident.
According to Mr. Gerding, some companies are under the impression that if they experience a material cybersecurity incident, the SEC’s new rules prohibit them from discussing that incident beyond what was…
SEC Director of Corporation Finance Speaks to Cybersecurity Disclosures
Erik Gerding, Director, Division of Corporation Finance, released a statement on the preferred methods to disclose certain cybersecurity incidents. Mr. Gerding noted “The cybersecurity rules that the Commission adopted on July 26, 2023 require public companies to disclose material cybersecurity incidents under Item 1.05 of Form 8-K. If a company chooses to disclose a cybersecurity…
Supreme Court: Rule 10b-5 Does Not Cover Pure Omissions
In Macquarie Infrastructure Corp., et al., v. Moab Partners, L. P., et. al, a unanimous United States Supreme Court held that failure to make MD&A disclosures required by Item 303 of Regulation S-K does not violate Rule 10b-5(b). The Court reiterated the tenet of Basic Inc. v. Levinson that “Silence, absent a duty to…
SEC Adopts Final Climate Rules
The SEC adopted amendments to its rules under the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that will require registrants to provide certain climate related information in their registration statements and annual reports. The final rules will require information about a registrant’s climate-related risks that have materially impacted, or are reasonably likely…
NYSE Updates Shareholder Approval Rule
The NYSE amended its shareholder approval rules to make it easier for listed companies to sell securities to passive existing shareholders without obtaining shareholder approval. The SEC approved the change on an accelerated basis.
Section 312.03(b)(i) of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual provides that shareholder approval is required prior to the issuance of common stock…