SEC Commissioner Kara Stein discussed "short-termism" and the composition of boards of directors at a "Corporate Women in Finance Symposium" sponsored by the U.S. Treasury Department. Commissioner Stein identified "short-termism" as one obstacle to capital formation. She explained that "short-termism" occurs when companies, compelled by pressures driven by certain investors or markets, look and act narrowly on short term considerations. These companies become overly focused on meeting quarterly earnings, and cut back on capital expenditures, research and development, and workforce training

In an article titled "Bitcoin Needs Smart and Safe Regulation," Lawrence Goodman, President of the Center for Financial Stability, advocates for regulators to create a "forward-looking and largely hands-off" regulatory environment for bitcoin. Mr. Goodman stated that while bitcoin offers great promise, it also carries "tremendous" risk if it is allowed to "expand without the proper protections" for consumers and investors. He commended the New York's Department of Financial Services efforts to fill the regulatory void through its BitLicense proposal, but he also seemed to indicate that the

The European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") recognized 10 third-country central counterparties ("CCPs") established in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, allowing them to provide clearing services to clearing members or trading venues established in the EU. The recognition aims to enable entities subject to the European Market Infrastructure Regulation's mandatory clearing obligation to discharge this obligation on these CCPs. The following CCPs have been recognized: ASX Clear (Futures) Pty Ltd; ASX Clear Pty Ltd.; HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited; Hong Kong Securities

CFTC filed and settled charges against a registered Futures Commission Merchant ("FCM"), for failing to provide and maintain an adequate program of supervision and for failing to diligently supervise its employees. The CFTC Order found that from at least 2008 until May 2013, the FCM did not have adequate policies or procedures governing the transfer of positions between customers' accounts, and no set written policy governing a request by a customer to transfer positions between accounts. According to the CFTC, the FCM had an "unwritten policy such that its employees understood that they were

The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing titled, "Oversight of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority," which examined FINRA's oversight of financial markets. FINRA CEO and Chairman Richard Ketchum was the sole witness at the hearing. During the hearing, Mr. Ketchum stated that FINRA will not move forward with its Comprehensive Automated Risk Data System ("CARDS") proposal until it determined that concerns raised by market participants were addressed adequately. SIFMA's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Ira D. Hammerman, issued a statement commending FINRA for