NY Authorities to Revisit Requirements for BitLicense

Wednesday, 23/10/2019 | 06:58 GMT by Arnab Shome
  • To date, only 22 crypto companies received the license for operating in New York.
NY Authorities to Revisit Requirements for BitLicense
Finance Magnates

The New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) is re-evaluating the requirements for the controversial BitLicense, a mandatory license for crypto companies willing to operate in the state of New York.

The prospect was announced on Tuesday by NYDFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell while speaking at Georgetown University’s Institute of International Economic Law during DC Fintech Week.

“This is a good time to take a look, a responsible look and see how our regime is fitting the current market and … what if any adjustments should we think about making to continue to adapt to sort of a changing industry … that’s going to be one of the things that [we do],” Lacewell told reporters at the conference.

A controversial license to enter a US state

BitLicense is one of the toughest licenses needed to break into the state market in the United States. After its implementation in 2015, it received massive backlash from industry players. Crypto Exchange Kraken terminated its operations in the state, calling it “a creature so foul, so cruel that not even Kraken possesses the courage or strength to face its nasty, big, pointy teeth.”

To date, the agency granted the license to 22 crypto companies; however, in the first three years of its introduction, only six companies succeeded in gaining the license.

The regulator now wants to involve the players from the sector to revisit the needs of the license.

“How has the industry grown? Has it matured in any way? And I don’t want to get too specific, but you know, it’s a good time for a second look,” Lacewell said. “The regulations are working well, but we want to hear from industry about how they’re operating in practicality for industry and if there are any tweaks that we should make.”

The New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) is re-evaluating the requirements for the controversial BitLicense, a mandatory license for crypto companies willing to operate in the state of New York.

The prospect was announced on Tuesday by NYDFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell while speaking at Georgetown University’s Institute of International Economic Law during DC Fintech Week.

“This is a good time to take a look, a responsible look and see how our regime is fitting the current market and … what if any adjustments should we think about making to continue to adapt to sort of a changing industry … that’s going to be one of the things that [we do],” Lacewell told reporters at the conference.

A controversial license to enter a US state

BitLicense is one of the toughest licenses needed to break into the state market in the United States. After its implementation in 2015, it received massive backlash from industry players. Crypto Exchange Kraken terminated its operations in the state, calling it “a creature so foul, so cruel that not even Kraken possesses the courage or strength to face its nasty, big, pointy teeth.”

To date, the agency granted the license to 22 crypto companies; however, in the first three years of its introduction, only six companies succeeded in gaining the license.

The regulator now wants to involve the players from the sector to revisit the needs of the license.

“How has the industry grown? Has it matured in any way? And I don’t want to get too specific, but you know, it’s a good time for a second look,” Lacewell said. “The regulations are working well, but we want to hear from industry about how they’re operating in practicality for industry and if there are any tweaks that we should make.”

About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome
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About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from the National Institute of Technology, Agartala. He entered the retail trading industry about a decade ago, covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates, and later expanded his coverage to include forex and CFDs as well. His work at Finance Magnates includes C-level interviews, data-driven analysis, opinion pieces, and scoops of industry exclusives. He also contributes to Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry report. Area of coverage: 1. CFD broker-related news 2. Industry-related Regulatory updates and developments 3. New retail trading trends 4. Prop trading industry updates 5. Executive interviews Education: Bachelor of Technology - National Institute of Technology, Agartala (India)
  • 7315 Articles
  • 133 Followers

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