FiSolve Weekly News Digest

Here is what we are reading in the news this week.?

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SEC Staff Offered $50,000 Payment to Resign or Retire; Possible Office Closures

Reuters is reporting the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is offering some employees $50,000 if they choose to resign or to retire under an early retirement program.? Citing an internal memorandum, employees must decide by March 21.? The article also states the SEC is terminating leases for its Los Angeles and Philadelphia offices, and possibly Chicago.? Read more at https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-sec-offers-staff-50000-resign-or-retire-memo-says-2025-03-03/.?

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SEC Crypto Task Force Staff to Host Roundtable on Crypto’s Security Status

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced its Crypto Task Force will host a series of roundtables to discuss key areas of interest in the regulation of crypto assets. The “Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity” series will begin on March 21 with its inaugural roundtable, “How We Got Here and How We Get Out – Defining Security Status.” ?The initial session is open to the public and will be streamed live.? Read more at https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/meetings-events/how-we-got-here-how-we-get-out-defining-security-status.?

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Skills-Based Hiring Driving Salary Premiums in AI Sector

New research from the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford finds UK employers in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector are increasingly prioritizing skills over formal education, with practical?expertise?commanding higher salaries than university degrees?alone.? The study shows AI skills have a 23% wage premium, particularly in high-demand occupations.? The findings underscore a growing trend towards skills-based hiring, especially in high-tech industries, as businesses?seek?to bridge the AI talent gap.? Read more at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162525000733.?

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SEC to Host Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence

On March 27, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will host a roundtable discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial industry. ?The event will be held at SEC headquarters in Washington, DC and is open to the public for either in-person or virtual attendance.? The roundtable will discuss the risks, benefits, and governance of AI in the financial industry. Read more at https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/meetings-events/sec-roundtable-artificial-intelligence-financial-industry.?

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FINRA Board of Governors Discuss OBAs, TRACE, Technology and 2024 Fine Monies

At its recent Board of Governors Meeting, FINRA approved the publication of a Regulatory Notice soliciting comment on a revised proposed Rule 3290 (Outside Activities Requirements) to replace FINRA Rules 3270 (Outside Business Activities of Registered Persons) and 3280 (Private Securities Transactions of an Associated Person). The revised proposal would replace two rules with a single rule.? The Board also considered updates to the TRACE reporting timeframes, to reduce undue operational burdens and complexity.? Read more at https://www.finra.org/media-center/newsreleases/2025/report-finra-board-governors-meeting-february-2025.?

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Anti-DEI Wave Threatens to Hold Back Female Founders

A PitchBook study finds the share of funding awarded to women dropped year-over-year, and anti-DEI sentiment may hold them back even more in 2025.? However, the report also includes silver linings for female founders and their supporters, including the minting of several new unicorns. ?Read more at https://pitchbook.com/news/reports/2024-us-all-in-female-founders-in-the-vc-ecosystem.?

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OCC Announces Enforcement Actions for February 2025

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released enforcement actions taken against national banks and federal savings associations, and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with banks supervised by the OCC.? The actions against banks included two formal agreements, six orders of prohibition against individuals, and one order terminating a cease-and desist order against a bank, which addressed unsafe or unsound practices in the bank’s enterprise-wide compliance risk management program and consumer harm violations.? Read more at https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/news-releases/2025/nr-occ-2025-12.html.?

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FiSolve Webinar: "Digital Assets/ Cryptocurrencies: Out of the Regulatory Crosshairs and into the DOGE House?" March 12 at 12 PM ET

Join FiSolve 's Sean Kreiger , along with experts Jerome Roche , Deborah Djeu , and Keith Miller in a webinar next week to discuss digital assets/cryptocurrencies with respect to regulation. ?The webinar will feature an interactive discussion of different perspectives from leading experts in the industry, including an overview of the current state of regulation of digital assets and crypto assets, as well as best practices firms should consider implementing notwithstanding regulatory uncertainty. ??Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EM0T_zVlTzG_EiArZbui-A#/registration.?

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