On Sept. 25, 2019, the SEC adopted Rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The new rule allows sponsors of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) to launch and operate ETFs without first obtaining individual exemptive orders from the SEC. Subject to satisfying certain conditions, the rule provides for blanket exemptive relief

OFAC continues to issue sanctions and associated guidance relating to a number of targeted jurisdictions. Starting with Iran, which has been the subject of new sanctions over recent months, and continuing with Venezuela, Ukraine, Nicaragua and Cuba, this Alert sets forth a summary of the more recent sanctions developments.

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SEC Releases Final Interpretation of the Standard of Conduct for Investment Advisers

The SEC has, for some time, been reviewing the standard of conduct required of investment advisers and broker-dealers under federal securities laws. Recently, these various initiatives concluded with the publication of four final items of guidance.

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New Fund-of-Funds Rule

On Aug. 20, 2019, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) approved a final rule to amend the regulations adopted in 2013 implementing Section 13 of the Bank Holding Company Act, commonly referred to as the “Volcker Rule.” While the Final Rule is largely similar to

On July 12, 2019, the staffs of several divisions within the SEC published a statement on the transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The panel banks which currently report information used to establish LIBOR for different currencies have committed to do so through 2021. After 2021, it is likely that LIBOR will

Are the US advertising rules important for all UK managers?

As U.S. advertising rules fall under U.S. anti-fraud statutes, whether a U.K. fund manager is registered with the SEC or not, there are specific rules managers need to comply with for their U.S. marketing materials. In this SRZ FAQ video, special counsel Brad Caswell discusses

EMIR REFIT enters into force on Monday, 17 June 2019.

Under EMIR REFIT, financial counterparties are required to calculate their aggregate month-end average positions in derivatives for the previous 12 months to determine whether they exceed one or more of the clearing thresholds specified in EMIR. The definition of FC includes alternative investment funds and

The National Futures Association, the self-regulatory organization for the commodity futures and swaps industry, recently updated its rules to impose “swaps proficiency requirements” on associated persons of NFA members that engage in swaps-related activities. These requirements are likely to be applicable to a significant number of hedge fund advisers (i.e., advisers that are, or are

On April 18, 2019, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the assessment of a civil money penalty against Eric Powers for willfully violating the registration, program and reporting requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act and its implementing regulations. Between December 2012 and September 2014, Mr. Powers acted as

On April 3, 2019, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission published a framework aimed at assisting in determining whether a digital asset is a security. Alongside the Framework, the SEC also published a no-action letter for TurnKey Jet, Inc., the first ever no-action letter for a digital asset enterprise.

This is an important development for