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NLJ this week: cyber law & cryptoassets

16 April 2021
Issue: 7928 / Categories: Legal News , Cyber , Technology , Financial services litigation
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2021 ‘big year’ for cryptocurrency regulation

As the importance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the financial markets continues to rise, so too do calls for increased regulation.

Writing in NLJ this week, Celso de Azevedo and Marc Samuels, both of 36 Group, explore the most recent regulatory developments both in the UK and US. They note that Mastercard is integrating Bitcoin into its payment systems, BNY Mellon has announced plans to hold Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies for its clients and Tesla recently bought $1.5bn of Bitcoin for its corporate treasury.

‘These events reflect a surge of institutional interest in the emerging Bitcoin and cryptoasset class,’ they write. And ‘just as we have seen growth in value, so too have we seen a flurry of regulatory and political activity in connection with cryptocurrency in the first quarter of 2021.’

Their article looks at recent developments on regulation and explains why 2021 could be ‘a big year for cryptocurrency regulation’.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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