On February 14, the SEC announced a settlement with BlockFi Lending LLC (BlockFi), a crypto service provider, further showing the increased legal scrutiny in this area in terms of regulatory action, joining the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s settlement with… Read More ›
Digital Economy
Federal Cryptocurrency Case Challenges PoolTogether Inc.’s “No-Loss Lottery”
A case filed on November 30, 2021 in Federal Court in the Eastern District of New York, is making the assertion that the cryptocurrency based “no-loss lottery” of Pool Together, Inc. (PoolTogether) is unlawful. The case is one of the… Read More ›
Concluded Legal Action against LendUp Loans, LLC, Provides Guidance for Other Lending Startups
Relevant to NYC’s lending startups, on December 21, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced an agreement with LendUp Loans, LLC (LendUp) under which the company would cease making any new loans and collecting on certain outstanding loans among other… Read More ›
New York Fed’s new Innovation Center will Develop Fintech Products and Services for Central Banking
On November 29, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced and launched its New York Innovation Center (NYIC) to be headed by Per von Zelowitz, for the purpose of developing financial technology products and services for the central bank… Read More ›
NYC Requires Bias Audits, Other Measures to Prevent Unjust Hiring Based on Artificial Intelligence
Scheduled to go into effect in January 2023, the New York City Council recently passed legislation that seeks to prevent unjust hiring and promotion practices arising from automated decision tools widely used by employers, such as artificial intelligence. The legislation… Read More ›
University & Incubator Contributions to NYC’s Digital and New Economies in 2021 Q3
NYC’s Pandemic Response Institute to be Created and Led by Columbia University and Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr On September 29, the Office of the Mayor, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and the New York City Department of Health… Read More ›
The State of NYC’s Digital Economy in Q2 2021: Startup Ecosystem
INTRODUCTION & Q1 SUMMARY When it comes to NYC’s startup ecosystem which has over 9,000 companies and an estimated value of over $71 billion, the first quarter of the year was characterized by the Wall Street Journal as having gone… Read More ›
The State of NYC’s Digital Economy in Q2 2021: Universities
INTRODUCTION & Q1 SUMMARY The first quarter of 2021 saw NYU’s Entrepreneurial Institute begin its new Technology Venture Program, intended to launch the next generation of NYU technology based ventures. This effort sought to build upon a foundation that over… Read More ›
The State of NYC’s Digital Economy in Q2 2021: Broadband Access
INTRODUCTION As a brief overview, NYC’s recent broadband efforts aimed at closing the digital divide include the following: In 2019 Mayor de Blasio engaged in an effort to encourage the adoption of broadband in the outer boroughs The Internet Master… Read More ›