Insights

Digital Currencies’ Role in Facilitating Ransomware Attacks: A Brief Explainer

Patomak’s Kristine Johnson co-authored a paper for Third Way that details how Bitcoin—the most popular digital currency—is used to facilitate ransomware attacks and how criminals try—and sometimes fail—to cover their tracks. Understanding how criminals use digital currencies for ransomware attacks can lead policymakers to solutions in thwarting and enforcing cybercrimes.

CoinDesk: Paul Atkins Weighs in on the Crypto Regulatory Outlook

Patomak’s Paul Atkins joins CoinDesk to talk crypto

Six Patomak Takeaways Regarding 2021 SEC Division of Examinations Risk Alert on Digital Assets

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Patomak expects SEC scrutiny of Digital Assets to grow dramatically in the year ahead, and is well-prepared to help firms respond by applying its deep expertise developing compliance programs, including designing controls, conducting risk assessments, and supporting due diligence to ensure that Digital Asset business activities comply with SEC rules and anti-money laundering (“AML”) regulations.

Patomak’s Paul Atkins Hosts Webinar Featuring Agency Leaders on Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and the Evolution of a Central Bank Digital Currency

The November 13 discussion examined the pros and cons of blockchain and cryptocurrency and how it intersects with active central bank digital currency pilot programs underway around the globe.

Bloomberg Law: House Lawmakers Plan Bill to Preempt State Crypto Regulation

House lawmakers are drafting legislation to preempt some aspects of state licensing and regulation of the virtual currency industry in a bid to help U.S.-based crypto exchanges and blockchain companies remain competitive in a global market. “We have 50 states here, and those states have many different people who have interests in securities markets,” Paul Atkins, a former commissioner at the Securities and Exchange Commission who now leads the financial services consulting group Patomak Global Partners LLC, said during a panel.

Wall Street Journal: Bitcoin ETFs Keep Trying, Despite Regulators’ Rejections

“Is [the SEC] a merit regulator, or should investors be able to decide for themselves what to invest in?” says Paul Atkins, a former SEC commissioner and now chief executive of Patomak Global Partners, a financial consulting firm. Resolving that debate will take time, he says.

Morning Consult: Billions of Dollars Have Migrated to the Blockchain. Now What?

Token Alliance co-chairs Paul Atkins and Jim Newsome write in an op/ed in Morning Consult: The private sector drives innovation; it is one of the best characteristics of the American economy. In contrast, the government operates deliberately and carefully. That is why we worked with Token Alliance, an initiative of the Chamber of Digital Commerce representing more than 350 blockchain and token experts from around the globe, to develop a comprehensive set of guidelines now to help shape the responsible growth of the token marketplace. The collaborative report is designed to be used as a resource among industry innovators, consumers, and policymakers to address so-called “utility tokens,” an aspect of the token economy fighting to be recognized.

Bloomberg Radio: Current Securities Laws Aren’t Appropriate for Blockchain, ICOs

Token Alliance co-chair Paul Atkins, President/CEO of Patomak Global Partners, discusses a new report on digital tokens, and what it means for the digital assets industry.

Forbes: Token Alliance: Utility Tokens ‘Under Threat Of Extinction By Regulation’ In U.S.

Forbes contributor Aaron Staley writes: “…An overly expansive interpretation and application of the Howey Test could threaten the utility of blockchain technology and could stifle innovation,” states a new report from the Token Alliance, a coalition led by the Chamber of Digital Commerce - the U.S. blockchain and digital asset trade group... “These industry-developed principles are an important tool for responsible growth and smart regulation that strikes the right balance between protecting investors while allowing for innovation in this new technological frontier,” said Paul Atkins, CEO of Patomak Global Partners and a former SEC commissioner.

Download the Token Alliance White Paper on Digital Tokens

Paul Atkins is the co-chair of the Digital Chamber of Commerce Token Alliance. Download the white paper, “Understanding Digital Tokens: Market Overviews & Guidelines for Policymakers & Practitioners” here.