SEC proposes rules to ease crypto fundraising; Court fight pits bank CEO vs. her former executive assistant—and more in Bankers' Hours

SEC proposes rules to ease crypto fundraising

The SEC canceled the meeting Friday because of an "unforeseen scheduling issue" and said it would be rescheduled, without providing a new date. The agency instead released the proposed rules Tuesday. 

The proposed rules, dubbed "Regulation Crypto Assets," include two exemptions that would allow certain crypto companies to raise capital without going through the traditional securities registration process. More here.

Court fight pits bank CEO vs. her former executive assistant

The fracas highlights the risks that banks may face — not only in court, but also in the realm of public relations — when highly-placed employees leave their jobs on bad terms. Amalgamated, which has $9.4 billion of assets, is a fixture in both the labor movement and Democratic Party politics.

Patricia Velez, the former executive assistant, is one of three plaintiffs in a lawsuit brought against Amalgamated CEO Priscilla Sims Brown and the bank in May 2025. More here.

How a fraud ring weaponized New Jersey business filings

Prosecutors recently announced that eight people have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in a scheme that attempted to deposit more than $11 million in stolen, unaltered checks. The fraudsters used authentic state business records they had obtained or altered through official means.