Michael A. Mora

Michael A. Mora

Michael was born and raised in South Florida. He went to undergrad at Florida Atlantic University and earned his master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He is the crypto litigation reporter for Law.com, as well as an editor for ALM Global. You can email him at [email protected].

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December 04, 2024 | National Law Journal

Trump Nominates Paul Atkins as SEC Chair

Paul Atkins is the chief executive of Patomak Global Partners, a financial services consultancy in Washington, D.C., and New York.

By Michael A. Mora

4 minute read

December 02, 2024 | Law.com

State Attorney General Faces Federal Courtroom Test Over Crypto Mining Ban

“We have seen dozens of state laws enacted over the last few years restricting or prohibiting investment in U.S. real property by foreign individuals, companies and governments,” said Robert A. Friedman, a partner at Holland & Knight. “Arkansas is just one example of a surging national trend.”

By Michael A. Mora

4 minute read

November 27, 2024 | Texas Lawyer

5th Circuit Rules Open-Source Code Is Not Property in Tornado Cash Appeal

"As the decision correctly recognizes, the meaning of a statute doesn’t change to fit new contexts; it’s up to Congress to make new law to address new problems," said Judd Littleton, a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell and co-head of the Am Law 100 firm's Supreme Court & appellate practice who is not involved in the matter.

By Michael A. Mora

5 minute read

November 25, 2024 | The Recorder

SEC Targets Rising Crypto Financier in $115 Million Securities Fraud

“This complaint speaks to your average investor’s lack of knowledge or unfamiliarity with these assets, highlighting the importance of diligence and understanding about what you are buying,” said Jonathan Groth, a partner at DGIM Law.

By Michael A. Mora

3 minute read

November 22, 2024 | Texas Lawyer

Texas Court Invalidates SEC’s Dealer Rule, Siding with Crypto Advocates

“This decision affirms the importance of applying legal frameworks as intended and avoiding the temptation to force novel technologies into ill-fitting regulatory categories,” said Tonya M. Evans, a tenured professor at Penn State Dickinson Law whose research includes digital assets.

By Michael A. Mora

3 minute read

November 21, 2024 | National Law Journal

SEC Chair Gary Gensler to Resign on Trump's Inauguration Day

Gensler made a regulatory choice on the crypto industry that was characteristic of a heated classic debate in administrative law: the degree that you want to consult with the industry in your enforcement, said Dorothy Lund, a leading expert on securities regulation.

By Michael A. Mora

3 minute read

November 20, 2024 | National Law Journal

New Am Law 100 Partner Emerges on Trump’s Shortlist for SEC Chair

“The next chair should: initiate rulemaking, withdraw the pending cases against crypto that do not involve fraud, and balance investor protection with promoting American innovation,” Paul Grewal, the chief legal officer of Coinbase Global Inc., said.

By Michael A. Mora

3 minute read

November 19, 2024 | New Jersey Law Journal

BIT Mining Bribery Scandal Highlights Trump-Biden Enforcement Gap

“There is a prevailing view that Republicans are not particularly aggressive in enforcement of these types of regulatory cases typically brought by the SEC, and I don’t think that’s true necessarily—at least in the FCPA space," said Richard Hong, a partner at Morrison Cohen. 

By Michael A. Mora

3 minute read

November 18, 2024 | National Law Journal

Shaq Signs $11 Million Settlement to Resolve Astrals Investor Claims

“So much credit goes to Shaq personally for wanting to help all of the other victims, and to our federal judges," said Adam Moskowitz, the managing partner at the Moskowitz Law Firm.

By Michael A. Mora

5 minute read

November 18, 2024 | National Law Journal

Am Law 100 Partners on Trump’s Short List to Replace Gensler as SEC Chair

“Gensler’s framework will continue to exist and be an option for whoever sits at the SEC going forward,” said Dorothy Lund, a leading expert on securities regulation and professor at Columbia Law School.

By Michael A. Mora

4 minute read