World Federation of Exchanges Asks IOSCO to Tackle Conflict of Interest in CeFi

<p>The World
Federation of Exchanges (WFE) has asked the International Organization of
Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to address the conflict of interest created by
centralized finance (CeFi) firms such as crypto exchanges that engage in
multiple businesses. The recommendation comes as IOSCO, a global body for
securities regulators, plans to finalize <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/regulation/ioscos-crypto-policy-aims-at-market-manipulation-conflict-of-interest/" target="_blank" rel="follow">its recommendations</a> for the regulation of the
global crypto industry by the fourth quarter of this year. </p><p>Conflict of Interest in Crypto Market?</p><p>WFE, the
global industry association for operators of regulated exchanges and clearing
houses, gave the recommendation in its response to <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/regulation/ioscos-crypto-policy-aims-at-market-manipulation-conflict-of-interest/" target="_blank" rel="follow">IOSCO’s consultation</a> for its policy guidance on the supervision of the global crypto industry. The consultation ended on July 31, 2023.</p><p>The association said while exchange groups in the
traditional finance (TradFi) industry engage in multiple businesses to
diversify their revenue streams, they have “robust conflict of interest management
procedures to ensure ethical and fair practices.”</p><p>“This [conflict of interest management] involves implementing policies and mechanisms that prevent any undue advantage
or bias among the businesses owned by the group,” WFE said in its <a href="https://www.world-exchanges.org/storage/app/media/RegAffairs_2023/230731_IOSCO_Policy_Recommendations_Crypto.pdf" target="_blank" rel="follow">response document</a>. “Transparent governance
structures, independent oversight, disclosure requirements, and compliance
frameworks are some of the measures that have been proven to mitigate conflicts
of interest effectively.”</p><p>The
association’s request appears to support the argument by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that crypto exchanges in the United States, including <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/sec-charges-binance-ceo-over-illegal-exchanges-commingling-of-client-fund/" target="_blank" rel="follow">Binance</a> and <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/after-binance-sec-sues-coinbase-over-illegal-operation-of-crypto-exchange/" target="_blank" rel="follow">Coinbase</a>, are combining the functions of an exchange, brokerage and clearing
agency under one umbrella service. The securities regulator has repeatedly argued that the services are
separated under US laws and require distinct registrations.</p><p>IOSCO
Addresses Multiple Issues</p><p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/" target="_blank" rel="follow">Finance Magnates</a> reported that <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/regulation/ioscos-crypto-policy-aims-at-market-manipulation-conflict-of-interest/" target="_blank" rel="follow">IOSCO’s proposed policy guidelines</a> for the global crypto industry cover six key areas such
as market manipulation, insider trading and fraud as well as conflict of interest
arising from the ‘vertical integration’ of various activities and functions by
crypto firms.</p><p>The policy
also focuses on cross-border risks and regulatory cooperation, custody and
client asset protection, operational and technological risk, and retail access,
suitability and distribution.</p><p>In a related development, OSCO and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) last year <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/regulation/iosco-and-bis-call-for-same-risk-same-regulation-for-stablecoins/" target="_blank" rel="follow">called for </a>the ‘same risk, same rules’
principle to be applied to stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to a
fiat currency or a physical asset such as gold. The principle requires the same
rules applied to TradFi companies to be applied to CeFi and decentralized finance (DeFi) organizations.</p><p>Meta to launch 'Personas' AI bots; Conotoxia shows new feature; <a href="https://www.financemagnates.com/forex/news-nuggets-1-august-meta-to-launch-personas-ai-bots-conotoxia-shows-new-feature/" target="_blank" rel="follow">read today's news nuggets</a>.</p>

This article was written by Solomon Oladipupo at www.financemagnates.com.