The Managed Funds Association ("MFA") hired Mark Epley to serve as executive vice president and general counsel. He begins his new position on February 19, 2019. Mr. Epley is currently general counsel and senior advisor to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

FINRA proposed to amend Rules 7610A and 7620A to reduce the fees charged to retail participants that utilize the FINRA/Nasdaq Trade Reporting Facility ("TRF") Carteret and/or the FINRA/Nasdaq Trade Reporting Facility Chicago.

The SEC Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations ("OCIE") encouraged investment advisers to review their policies regarding electronic messaging, and to consider improvements to their compliance programs. In a Risk Alert, the OCIE noted that changes in the ways mobile and personal electronic devices are used pose challenges for investment advisers in meeting their obligations under Advisers Act Rules 204-2 (the "Books and Records Rule") and 206(4)-7 (the "Compliance Rule"). The Books and Records Rule requires investment advisers to make and retain certain records related to their

The CFTC request for public feedback on the technologies underlying Ether and the Ethereum Network was published in the Federal Register. Comments must be submitted before February 15, 2019. As previously covered, the CFTC wants to gather information on a range of questions related to the underlying technology and markets for virtual currencies beyond Bitcoin.

The SEC Division of Corporation Finance granted no-action relief to a bank from being considered an "ineligible issuer" under Securities Act Rule 405, subject to certain conditions.