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This is the fourth edition of CryptoLex, which was first conducted in 2018. The proprietary blockchain conference of Murphy & McGonigle, CryptoLex is conducted by Murphy & McGonigle’s FinTech & Blockchain Practice.
About this Site:
This site is a resource for those interested in legal and regulatory developments in the application of blockchain technology, provided by Murphy & McGonigle. We regularly work with financial services companies that have a stake in legal and regulatory developments impacting blockchain technology. We created this site to provide periodic updates on important developments in the law surrounding blockchain technology.
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DOJ Cyber Task Force Releases Report on an Enforcement Framework for Cryptocurrency Involved Criminal Activity
by: Steven D. Feldman , Matthew B. Comstock
Produced by the Attorney General’s Cyber-Digital Task Force, the Framework is divided into three parts with a conclusion. It provides an overview of threats and enforcement challenges associated with the increasing use of cryptocurrency; enumerates the criminal and civil statutes and regulatory framework used to investigate and regulate illegal crypto-related activities; and outlines ongoing challenges for businesses involved with cryptocurrency, and future strategies for investigating and prosecuting crypto involved crimes.
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STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVES—Murphy & McGonigle partner considers potential implications of Telegram rulings
by: Larry E. Bergmann | Securities Regulation Daily
The author examines the decisions in SEC v. Telegram and how they may impact digital token issuers’ use of the Simple Agreement for Future Tokens model for distributing tokens.
The Southern District of New York has issued two main rulings in SEC v. Telegram—that the offer and sale of Telegram’s cryptocurrency (Grams) involved a "scheme" to distribute securities subject to 1933 Act registration requirements, and that the Court’s preliminary injunction regarding sales or resales of Grams applies to both U.S. and non-U.S. purchasers. Murphy & McGonigle’s Larry Bergmann examines both rulings and weighs the impact they might have on future issuances of digital tokens. Among other things, Bergmann believes that the decisions will make it more difficult for digital token issuers to argue that securities sold to raise capital can be transformed at a later date into "utility" digital assets that are not securities. He also raises the question of whether improvements can be made to an operational cryptocurrency platform to enhance the value of that platform’s tokens.
To read the entire article, click here.
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The agency is seeking public comment on two proposals that will promote the responsible and efficient diversification of cryptocurrencies traded on New York licensed exchanges.
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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has conditionally approved a national bank charter for Anchorage Digital Bank NA.
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The SEC Permits Some Broker-Dealers to Custody Customers’ Digital Asset Securities
by: Matthew B. Comstock , Larry E. Bergmann | Blockchain Law Center | (01/04/2021)
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently issued guidance that permits broker-dealers to custody customers' digital asset securities. A broker-dealer engaging in this activity is considered to be a "special purpose broker-dealer" and must refrain from activities in "traditional" securities.
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On December 17, 2020, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) released a Digital Assets Primer to provide updated information to the public about emerging concepts in digital assets.

Blockchain Litigation Database
The Blockchain Litigation Database tracks blockchain and cryptocurrency-related litigation using a data-based, analytical approach to enable subscribers to follow the development of the case law, analyze legal risks, perform due diligence on counterparties, and more.