Fintech
SEC Charges Three Media Companies with Illegal Offerings of Stock and Digital Assets
Washington, D.C.–(Newsfile Corp. – September 13, 2021) – The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged New York City-based GTV Media Group Inc. and Saraca Media Group Inc., and Phoenix, Arizona-based Voice of Guo Media Inc., with conducting an illegal unregistered offering of GTV common stock. The SEC also announced charges against GTV and Saraca for conducting an illegal unregistered offering of a digital asset security referred to as either G-Coins or G-Dollars. The respondents have agreed to pay more than $539 million to settle the SEC’s action.
According to the SEC’s order, from April through June 2020, the respondents generally solicited thousands of individuals to invest in the GTV stock offering. During the same period, GTV and Saraca solicited individuals to invest in the digital asset offering. The order finds that the respondents disseminated information about the two offerings to the general public through publicly available videos on GTV’s and Saraca’s websites, as well as on social media platforms such as YouTube and Twitter. Through these two securities offerings, whose proceeds were commingled, the respondents collectively raised approximately $487 million from more than 5,000 investors, including U.S. investors. As stated in the order, no registration statements were filed or in effect for either offering, and the respondents’ offers and sales did not qualify for an exemption from registration.
“Issuers seeking to access the markets through a public securities offering must provide investors with the disclosures required under the federal securities laws,” said Sanjay Wadhwa, Deputy Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division. “When they fail to do so, the Commission will seek remedies that make harmed investors whole, such as an unwinding of the offering and a return of the funds to the investors.”
“Thousands of investors purchased GTV stock, G-Coins, and G-Dollars based on the respondents’ solicitation of the general public with limited disclosures,” said Richard R. Best, Director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office. “The remedies ordered by the Commission today, which include a fair fund distribution, will provide meaningful relief to investors in these illegal offerings.”
Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings that they violated Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, GTV and Saraca agreed to a cease-and-desist order, to pay disgorgement of over $434 million plus prejudgment interest of approximately $16 million on a joint and several basis, and to each pay a civil penalty of $15 million. Voice of Guo agreed to a cease-and-desist order, to pay disgorgement of more than $52 million plus prejudgment interest of nearly $2 million, and to pay a civil penalty of $5 million. The order establishes a Fair Fund to return monies to injured investors. The respondents also agreed to not participate, directly or indirectly, in any offering of a digital asset security, to assist the SEC staff in the administration of a distribution plan, and to publish notice of the SEC’s order on their public websites and social media channels, including but not limited to, www.gtv.org and www.gnews.org.
The SEC’s continuing investigation is being conducted by William Conway, Amanda Rios, Kerri Palen, and Sandeep Satwalekar. The investigation that led up to the filing of this action was conducted by Mr. Conway, Ms. Rios, Ms. Palen, Jorge Tenreiro, and Mr. Satwalekar. The case is being supervised by Messrs. Wadhwa and Best. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Arizona Corporation Commission and the British Columbia Securities Commission.
Fintech
CARD91 Launches Revolutionary 3-in-1 Card Platform at Global Fintech Fest 2024: Pioneering ID and Payment Integration
CARD91 proudly announces the launch of its 3-in-1 card platform at the prestigious Global Fintech Fest 2024. This innovative solution merges an ID Card, Access, and Prepaid Card functionalities, including NCMC, into one streamlined product, tailored for the modern needs of Corporate Employees and Students alike. Apart from these use cases, this card can be used in multiple scenarios like proper management of large-scale events, in medical institutions, shopping malls, and many more.
Unlock the Future with a Single Tap
This 3-in-1 card platform is set to redefine how organisations and their employees handle professional and financial transactions. By integrating multiple services into one card, users can now enjoy unparalleled convenience, improved security, and increased flexibility.
Platform Capabilities:
- Mobile-First Design: Optimised for mobile access, ensuring a seamless experience for both users and issuers.
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive portals and customisable dashboards simplify management, enhancing operational efficiency for corporates.
- Regulatory Compliance: Fully aligned with RBI guidelines, ensuring secure, compliant transactions.
- Enhanced Security: Equipped with numberless EMV cards, multi-factor authentication, and PCI DSS-compliant data storage for robust fraud protection.
- Configurable Integration: Open APIs allow easy adaptation and integration with various business systems.
- End-Use Control: Customisable settings for transaction limits, whitelisting/blacklisting MCCs/MIDs for enhanced expenditure control.
Card Benefits:
- Multipurpose Functionality: A unified solution for both business and personal use, simplifying everyday interactions.
- Convenient Mobility: NCMC-enabled, allowing users to skip metro queues and streamline daily commutes.
- Environmentally Friendly: Reduces carbon footprint by consolidating multiple functions into one eco-friendly card.
A New Era of Integration and Convenience
“We are thrilled to introduce this pioneering 3-in-1 card platform. This product represents our vision of the future, where technology seamlessly integrates into our everyday lives, from unlocking office doors to making secure online purchases and tapping to pay at the store. This launch also signifies our preparedness to enable APAAR Cards for students,” said CARD91 CEO, Ajay Pandey.
He added, “This launch marks a significant step forward in digital convenience, and we extend our sincere thanks to NSDL Payments Bank and NPCI for their support in making this possible.”
The post CARD91 Launches Revolutionary 3-in-1 Card Platform at Global Fintech Fest 2024: Pioneering ID and Payment Integration appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Leading digital banking platform Ibanera, spearheaded by CEO Michael Carbonara, announced today its collaboration with Visa, a world leader in digital payments. This opportunity will enable Ibanera to leverage Visa’s card issuing capabilities to support its clientele’s banking and finance needs.
Ibanera’s integration with Visa’s payment network will enhance accessibility to domestic and cross-border payments for businesses and their customers. The collaboration provides Ibanera with the scalability to grow its fintech enablement services to meet growing customer demand.
Michael Carbonara, CEO of Ibanera, emphasized the significance of this collaboration for the growth of the payment ecosystem: “Navigating the complexities of regulation and payments can be challenging. This is why we are excited about our strong collaboration with Visa, which will drive innovation and provide simplified solutions as we focus on the digital and creator economies.”
Ibanera’s collaboration with Visa provides an ecosystem not only for global payments but also leverages Visa’s advanced security and fraud protection systems, such as Visa’s zero liability policy for unauthorized transactions, giving cardholders peace of mind through trust in the cards utilized.
Visa Senior Vice President of Digital Partnerships, James Schinella says, “Our alliance with Ibanera underscores our shared commitment to enhancing the payments ecosystem. Our joint efforts will provide advanced security and fraud protection, ensuring peace of mind for cardholders.”
The post Ibanera Teams Up with Visa to Drive Digital Payment Solutions appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Fintech
Gaia-X Introduces the Compliance Document to Enable and Increase Trust, Security, and European Sovereignty in Digital Ecosystems
Gaia-X, a leading European initiative aimed at establishing a secure, transparent, and interoperable digital infrastructure, has unveiled its Compliance Document. This essential framework defines the standards that data providers, data consumers, data exchanges, and digital infrastructures must follow to participate in the Gaia-X ecosystem. Aligned with the core European values of transparency, data protection, and cybersecurity, the document promotes innovation and competitiveness while ensuring that organisations operate globally under clear, standardised rules.
Why Gaia-X Compliance Matters
The Gaia-X Compliance Document is not just a set of rules but a foundational guide for creating trust in the evolving digital marketplace. It focuses on three key areas:
- Openness and Transparency: Gaia-X supports global efforts to create interoperable data spaces built on federated cloud infrastructures. By ensuring transparency in operations, data handling, and service processes, Gaia-X fosters trust across the entire ecosystem, ensuring stakeholders have clear insight into the services they use.
- Security and Data Protection: In compliance with GDPR and other European regulations, such as the Data Act and Data Governance Act, Gaia-X ensures that personal and non-personal data are handled securely. Service providers are required to implement strong privacy protections and technical safeguards, offering businesses and users peace of mind.
- European Sovereignty: At its core and especially with its Label Level 3, Gaia-X guarantees European control over digital infrastructure, ensuring that services comply with European laws and standards. However, Gaia-X is designed with global interoperability in mind, providing tools and frameworks that can be adapted to meet the regulations of other regions worldwide.
Key Components of Gaia-X Compliance
1. Standards-Based Approach: The Gaia-X compliance framework builds on globally recognised standards, ensuring a high level of security and compliance across industries.
2. Label System for Differentiation: Gaia-X has introduced a clear labelling system to categorise services based on their level of compliance:
- Gaia-X Standard Compliance: A universal set of standards designed to apply to all types of providers worldwide.
- Gaia-X Label Level 1: Entry-level compliance with standard data protection and security following European laws.
- Gaia-X Label Level 2: Higher-level data protection and security standards following European laws and widely based on certifications.
- Gaia-X Label Level 3: The highest compliance level for services requiring exceptional data handling, security, and legal control for European providers only.
These labels provide clarity for both providers and users, ensuring transparency in service offerings.
3. Trust Anchors and Continuous Validation: Gaia-X ensures ongoing trust and compliance through its Trust Framework, powered by the Gaia-X Digital Clearing House (GXDCH). This system continuously validates verifiable credentials, allowing automated trust assessments across the ecosystem.
Benefits for Ecosystem Participants
The Gaia-X Compliance offers significant advantages to both service providers and users:
- For Users: Businesses and governments benefit from greater choice, transparency, and control over the digital services they utilise. With Gaia-X’s clear compliance standards, users can confidently select services that meet their specific security, privacy, compliance or sovereignty needs, allowing them to select their preferred Label Level while maintaining flexibility and avoiding vendor lock-in.
- For Providers: Gaia-X offers a clear path to certification and compliance, enabling companies to demonstrate adherence to top-tier security and privacy standards. By aligning with European regulations, providers enhance their credibility, position themselves as digital market leaders, and answer to market demand. The standardised use of the Gaia-X Ontology ensures that cloud providers can achieve true interoperability across ecosystems.
The Gaia-X Compliance Document highlights Europe’s commitment to digital sovereignty, security, and trust, providing a foundation for a trusted digital marketplace aligned with European values and laws. It serves as a blueprint for global organisations to operate securely, transparently, and interoperably.
The post Gaia-X Introduces the Compliance Document to Enable and Increase Trust, Security, and European Sovereignty in Digital Ecosystems appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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