The SEC final rule permitting reporting companies to use a Regulation A exemption from registration for their securities offerings was published in the Federal Register. As previously covered, the final rule amends Securities Act Rule 251 to permit companies subject to the Exchange Act Section 13 or 15(d) reporting requirements to use the exemption provided by Regulation A. The final rule also revises Securities Act Rule 257 to provide that companies satisfying the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act have met the Regulation A reporting requirements. In addition, the SEC made conforming

A proposal by the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve Board and FDIC to increase the major assets prohibition thresholds for management interlock rules was published in the Federal Register ( see prior coverage). Comments must be submitted before April 1, 2019.

The CFTC Division of Market Oversight (the "Division") granted time-limited relief to two companies from compliance with certain position aggregation requirements under CFTC Rule 150.4. The no-action relief is limited to the "firewall conditions for the owned entity exemption in [CFTC Rule] 150.4(b)(2)(i)(D) in connection with cash-market trading decisions," which ordinarily permits disaggregation where an owner and an owned entity do not share employees that control trading decisions. The Division provided relief even though the two entities share an employee who controls the cash market, but

U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chair Mike Crapo (R-IA) outlined the Committee's agenda for the 116th Congress. According to Mr. Crapo, the Committee will, among other priorities: evaluate housing finance reforms to (i) "fix the flawed system," (ii) create taxpayer protections, (iii) continue the provision of a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, (iv) increase competition between mortgage guarantors and (v) foster access to affordable housing; promote capital formation, mitigate burdens for smaller businesses and bolster corporate governance; review the efficacy of

ISDA provided "high-level" guidance on the application of smart contracts to derivatives. ISDA also identified several contractual and documentation issues that are relevant as market participants look to "implement new platforms, products and solutions."