Melonia A. Bennett

Firm/Organization: Baker & Hostetler LLP

Blogs: Class Action Lawsuit Defense, Financial Services Blog, The Blockchain Monitor

Latest Articles

Stablecoins Launch in US Amid Multiple Securities Enforcement Actions and Bid to Repurpose DoD Data Center for Cryptocurrency Mining

By Brian P. Bartish, Robert A. Musiala, Njeri Chasseau, Jaime B. Petenko & Melonia A. Bennett on September 14, 2018

In this issue: • Stablecoins Launch in US as New Data Cites Drop in ICO Funding • SEC and FINRA Issue First-of-Their-Kind Enforcement Actions • Blockchain Enterprise Developments: Mining, Digital Identities and Food Supply Chain • Cryptocurrencies Continue to Enter Traditional Areas of Financial Crimes Stablecoins Launch in US as New Data Cites Drop in ICO Funding By: Robert A. Musiala Jr. and Brian P. Bartish On Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, the New York Department…

Financial Services Blog

OCC Announces It Will Begin Accepting Fintech Charter Applications

By Melonia A. Bennett on August 1, 2018

On July 31, 2018, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced that it will begin accepting applications for special purpose national bank charters from financial technology companies. This “fintech charter” is limited to institutions that do not accept deposits. The fintech charter was initially unveiled on December 2, 2016, by prior Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry. The concept was that fintech firms not linked to national banks were forced to…

The Blockchain Monitor

Investments, Pilots and Patents: Recent Blockchain Developments

By Melonia A. Bennett, Robert A. Musiala & Simone O. Otenaike on July 27, 2018

In this issue: • Investment Continues Across Private and Public Sectors • Initiatives Announced in Healthcare, Emissions, Airlines and Public Sectors • Continue to Seek IP Rights Amid Evolving Patent Landscape Blockchain Investment Continues Across Private and Public Sectors By: Melonia A. Bennett The International Data Corporation (IDC) has published its update to the Worldwide Semiannual Blockchain Spending Guide, which estimates that worldwide spending on blockchain solutions in 2018 will be $1.5 billion, twice…

The Blockchain Monitor

Risk and Regulation in AML/Tax, ICO Scrutiny, Provenance POCs

By Melonia A. Bennett, Robert A. Musiala, John C. McIlwee & Panida A. Pollawit on July 13, 2018

In this issue: • Cryptocurrency Global Regulations Tighten as Financial Crime Risks Intensify • Global Tax Regimes Evolve With Varied Perspectives as Market Seeks Clarity • Latest Trends for ICOs: Success Rate and Government Scrutiny of ICO Scams • Blockchain Piloted to Trace Food, Art and Diamonds to Their Origins Cryptocurrency Global Regulations Tighten as Financial Crime Risks Intensify By: Melonia A. Bennett The European Union, through the European Parliament and Council, recently adopted and…

The Blockchain Monitor

Blockchain Developments: U.S. Government, Criminal Actors, Advertising, Financial Services

By Melonia A. Bennett, Joanna F. Wasick, Simone O. Otenaike & Diana Stern on June 22, 2018

In this issue: • U.S. Government Seeks to Leverage Blockchain, Issues Reporting Guidance • Cyberhacks and Enforcement Actions Continue Relentlessly • Consumer Products Firms Announce Blockchain Advertising Pilots • Financial Firms Continue to Pursue Cryptocurrency Initiatives U.S. Government Seeks to Leverage Blockchain, Issues Reporting Guidance By: Simone O. Otenaike Government agencies in the U.S. and abroad continue to announce initiatives that explore use cases for blockchain technology. According to a June 15 press release, the…

Labor & Employment Law Navigator

New Hampshire Passes Transgender Anti-Discrimination Legislation

By Melonia A. Bennett on June 12, 2018

On June 8th, New Hampshire Governor Christopher Sununu signed into law H.B. 1319, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations. H.B. 1319 defines gender identity as “a person’s gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.” The bill amends the state’s anti-discrimination law to add gender identity…

The Blockchain Monitor

Maersk Pilot Goes Live, Cyberthefts and Enforcement Actions Continue Across Globe

By Jonathan D. Blattmachr, Melonia A. Bennett & John C. McIlwee on June 1, 2018

In this issue: • New Waters Charted for Blockchain in Marine Insurance • Cyber-hacks Continue to Plague Cryptocurrency Industry • New Enforcement Actions in the U.S. and Abroad New Waters Charted for Blockchain in Marine Insurance By: John C. McIlwee In a first-of-its-kind blockchain-enabled solution for the marine hull insurance industry, Insurwave promises to automate manual processes and alleviate inefficiencies for the world’s largest shipping company, A.P. Møller-Maersk. The platform was created as a joint…

Labor & Employment Law Navigator

Target’s $3.74 Million Settlement is a Reminder to Employers Utilizing Background Checks

By Melonia A. Bennett on April 9, 2018

On Friday, Target agreed to pay $3.74 million and review its policies for screening job applicants to settle Carnella Times et al. v. Target Corp., a class action in the Southern District of New York challenging the company’s use of background checks. The suit claimed that Target’s use of criminal background checks violated Title VII by disproportionally excluding Black and Hispanic applicants from obtaining employment. Data demonstrates that certain minority populations—principally, Black and Hispanic males—are…

Financial Services Blog

A Guide to U.S. Regulation of Cryptocurrencies and Cryptocurrency Exchanges

By Melonia A. Bennett & Laura E. Jehl on March 6, 2018

The proliferation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has raised many questions about the legal status of these technologies and financial instruments and how their exchange should be regulated under federal and state money transmitter laws. Regulation of cryptocurrencies and exchanges is evolving quickly, and navigating the regulatory guidance requires careful consideration of both the guidance and the underlying business models. As new cryptocurrencies and exchanges launch, understanding the regulatory landscape and adapting quickly adapt to…

Class Action Lawsuit Defense

Ninth Circuit Vacates Final Approval of National Settlement Class Action Certification

By Melonia A. Bennett on March 5, 2018

Last month, the Ninth Circuit vacated the certification of a nationwide class for settlement in the In re Hyundai & Kia Fuel Economy Litigation, No. 15-56014, 881 F.3d 679 (9th Cir. Jan. 23, 2018). The Ninth Circuit concluded that the district court abused its discretion because it failed to “conduct a rigorous analysis to determine whether the party seeking certification has met the prerequisites of Rule 23,” specifically, whether variations in state law undermined the…

Melonia A. Bennett

Stablecoins Launch in US Amid Multiple Securities Enforcement Actions and Bid to Repurpose DoD Data Center for Cryptocurrency Mining

OCC Announces It Will Begin Accepting Fintech Charter Applications

Investments, Pilots and Patents: Recent Blockchain Developments

Risk and Regulation in AML/Tax, ICO Scrutiny, Provenance POCs

Blockchain Developments: U.S. Government, Criminal Actors, Advertising, Financial Services

New Hampshire Passes Transgender Anti-Discrimination Legislation

Maersk Pilot Goes Live, Cyberthefts and Enforcement Actions Continue Across Globe

Target’s $3.74 Million Settlement is a Reminder to Employers Utilizing Background Checks

A Guide to U.S. Regulation of Cryptocurrencies and Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Ninth Circuit Vacates Final Approval of National Settlement Class Action Certification

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