Insights

Read the latest edition of On-Chain Spotlight for key regulatory, market, and litigation developments shaping the blockchain and digital assets industry.

On September 30, 2026, the SEC proposed amendments to Rule 205-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that would expand the ability of registered investment advisers to receive performance-based compensation from registered management investment companies and business development companies, subject to certain conditions. Additionally, the proposed amendments would broaden the definition of “qualified client” to include those who satisfy the “accredited investor” definition in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933.

On September 14, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule that repealed substantially all of the carbon pollution standards set in 2024 with respect to fossil fuel-fired power plants. The EPA supplemented its repeal with a proposal to rescind the remaining standards by repealing its Greenhouse Gas Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions under Clean Air Act Section 111.

On August 18, 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend its registration requirements for certain commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors under Part 4 of the CFTC Regulations.

Cross-border estate planning gets complicated fast when a client owns assets in the United States, and the culprit is often hiding in plain sight: how title is held and which state’s law applies. Chapman partner and Trusts and Estates Department leader Rebecca Wallenfelsz and associate Mackenzie Collins break down the details in this chapter from the third edition of A Guide to International Estate Planning: Design, Administration, and Compliance.

On July 15, 2026, the CFTC amended its margin rules for uncleared swaps applicable to swap dealers and major swap participants not subject to the margin rules of a prudential regulator. The amendment, which has particular significance for sponsors, asset managers, and seeded funds, takes effect August 17, 2026, and makes three principal changes.

On July 27, 2026, the staff of the Division of Investment Management of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a no-action letter to the Investment Company Institute regarding the treatment of an exchange-traded fund’s creation basket when the ETF passively exceeds its industry concentration limit.

On July 16, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed Regulation E‑Delivery a sweeping new rule that would allow issuers, broker‑dealers, investment advisers, transfer agents, and other market participants to deliver required disclosures and reports electronically as the default method without first obtaining investors' affirmative consent.

On June 30, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a Request for Comment seeking public input on exchange‑traded funds that invest in innovative asset classes or engage in novel investment strategies (including crypto assets, commodity‑focused instruments, single stock strategies, heightened leverage, blockchain‑enabled opportunities, private assets, event contracts, or a combination of any of the above).

Chapman and the Amica Center secured a father’s release by defending his right to due process.

Read the latest edition of On-Chain Spotlight for key regulatory, market, and litigation developments shaping the blockchain and digital assets industry.

Partner Christian Brockman is attending. 

On September 30, 2026, the SEC proposed amendments to Rule 205-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that would expand the ability of registered investment advisers to receive performance-based compensation from registered management investment companies and business development companies, subject to certain conditions. Additionally, the proposed amendments would broaden the definition of “qualified client” to include those who satisfy the “accredited investor” definition in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933.

Chapman served as counsel to Zip Co, a leading digital financial services company, in its inaugural US asset-backed securitization.

On September 14, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule that repealed substantially all of the carbon pollution standards set in 2024 with respect to fossil fuel-fired power plants. The EPA supplemented its repeal with a proposal to rescind the remaining standards by repealing its Greenhouse Gas Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions under Clean Air Act Section 111.

Chapman and Cutler LLP mourns the loss of retired senior counsel, colleague, and friend, Rich DiLallo.

As a longtime member of the Secured Finance Network (SFNet), Chapman was featured in The Secured Lender Great Places to Work issue.

On August 18, 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend its registration requirements for certain commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors under Part 4 of the CFTC Regulations.

This pro bono victory helps pave the way for survivors of sex trafficking.

Cross-border estate planning gets complicated fast when a client owns assets in the United States, and the culprit is often hiding in plain sight: how title is held and which state’s law applies. Chapman partner and Trusts and Estates Department leader Rebecca Wallenfelsz and associate Mackenzie Collins break down the details in this chapter from the third edition of A Guide to International Estate Planning: Design, Administration, and Compliance.