Watchdog threatens retail ban on crypto trades July 3, 2019 The Financial Conduct Authority this morning proposed a ban on selling derivatives based on bitcoin to retail customers. The watchdog said that crypto assets, including bitcoin, have extremely volatile prices. Read more: UK regulator warns tech companies over cryptocurrency projects It thinks such products are “ill suited to retail consumers who cannot reliably assess the [...]
Sainsbury’s sales slip in ‘tough’ supermarket environment July 3, 2019 Sainsbury’s sales fell in its latest quarter, the supermarket revealed today, as boss Mike Coupe warned of the consequences of a no-deal Brexit. Like-for-like sales slipped 1.6 per cent year on year for the four months to the end of June while retail sales dropped 1.2 per cent, piling pressue on Coupe after the supermarket’s [...]
UK regulator warns tech companies over cryptocurrency projects July 2, 2019 The UK finance regulator has warned Facebook to reject the mantra “move fast and break things” in relation to its libra cryptocurrency project, saying tech giants must “get it right the first time round”. Christopher Woolard, the executive director of strategy and competition at the Financial Conduct Authority, said regulators are facing issues that “could [...]
Regulator makes CFD restrictions permanent July 1, 2019 The City watchdog has confirmed that it will make a crackdown on selling contracts for difference (CFDs) to retail clients permanent. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it will make the European Securities and Market Authority’s (ESMA) temporary restrictions on CFDs permanent following evidence that the high-risk products had been “aggressively marketed” to the public. [...]
Bitcoin: Is it starting to feel like 2017 all over again? June 27, 2019 By Gary McFarlane from interactive investor. Bitcoin’s decisive break above the psychologically important $10,000 mark – with $11,000 breached over the weekend and in sight again – is being driven by institutional investors and the afterglow from Facebook’s Libra news, despite the regulatory and political pushback against Mark Zuckerberg’s global money plans. Also, the recommendations, as expected, from [...]
Regulator steps up scrutiny of fintech banks June 26, 2019 Applications to become the next Monzo or Revolut are falling under greater scrutiny, as regulators act on concerns about risk management. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) only approved four applications for banking licences in the 12 months to the end of February, down from 14 in the previous year. However the number of applications remained [...]
Competition watchdog urges Facebook and Ebay to crack down on fake review market June 21, 2019 The competition watchdog has called on Facebook and Ebay to step up their efforts to prevent the sale of fake reviews through their sites. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today wrote to the two platforms asking them to conduct a review amid concerns there is a “thriving” marketplace for fake and misleading online reviews. [...]
Caretech half-year revenue booms after Cambian acquisition June 20, 2019 Care home operator Caretech has posted a sharp rise in revenue and profit for the half year after snapping up rival care and education firm Cambian Group. Read more: Competition watchdog launches probe into merger between Caretech and Cambian Group The figures Caretech’s revenue soared 120 per cent to £192.5m in the six months to [...]
Obscure fees could be eroding your pension – here’s what you should be paying June 19, 2019 If you’ve ever endeavoured to compare fees charged by pension providers, you’re probably sat wild-eyed, rocking yourself back and forth. Despite the push to rid the financial sector of opaque and confusing charging structures, it’s still incredibly difficult for consumers to compare the fees levied by pension providers. Not only can it be difficult to [...]
Government plans new powers to stop firms exploiting loyal consumers June 18, 2019 The competition watchdog is set to be given new powers to fine companies exploiting consumer loyalty in a crackdown on “subscription traps” and unfair cancellation charges. The government has proposed giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) legal powers to penalise firms without going through the courts. Read more: UK watchdog calls for new powers [...]