Writings by Christopher D. Warren

Simply put, the answer is yes. FINRA Rule 2080 (“Rule 2080”) is complex and must be followed properly to obtain expungement of a customer complaint from an individual’s BrokerCheck report Rule 2080 requires that a court of competent jurisdiction (state or federal court) confirm an expungement award before FINRA will remove a customer complaint from […]

Cryptocurrency broker-dealer, Binance, has paired with Mastercard to develop a crypto credit card issued in Argentina. This partnership will make Argentina the first South American country to utilize a money services business, allowing main street customers to pay in Bitcoin. The blockchain technology behind the Binance Mastercard converts cryptocurrency to fiat for each transaction without […]

The 501(d) model of tax exemption echoes all the way back to the use of home-brewed alcohol sales by monks to help keep their monastery running. The tradition of the monastically produced alcoholic beverage goes back over 1,000 years and has yielded the discovery of many a potent potable, from the Trappist style of beer […]

FINRA has recently fined two registered funding portals, Wefunder and StartEngine, a combined $1.75 million for failing to comply with securities laws and regulations designed to protect crowdfunding investors.  Wefunder raised approximately $20 million more than they were permitted under FINRA’s current crowdfunding regulations. They also failed to promptly direct the transmission of funds to […]

Keith Gill’s license to trade was revoked, the Wall Street Journal reports, after inquiries were made into Gill’s “outside business activity” on social media.   Could your social media presence be considered an ongoing FINRA violation? If you have received an investigation letter from FINRA, the SEC, or State regulators, call (201) 896-4100 or email info@sh-law.com for […]

Keith Gill, a registered securities broker better known by his online persona Roaring Kitty, is currently under investigation via his former employer Mass Mutual according to the New York Times. The MA Securities Division are investigating whether Mass Mutual knew that Gill was touting GameStop stock via his YouTube channel, contributing to the massive short […]

Recently, federal securities regulators accused six people of deceiving investors in connection with unregistered securities offerings for a supposed marijuana farm and CBD extraction facility in California. Allegedly, the defendants raised $25 million from more than 400 investors from across the country promising huge returns of 100% or more. At the core of the case, […]

So, you got a letter. From FINRA. It’s about an examination. It’s a Rule 8210 letter. Now what? When you get a Rule 8210 letter from FINRA, it’s serious. This letter is telling you FINRA is launching an investigation, which you, as a registered person of FINRA, are – in some way, shape, or form […]