Photo of Ethan G. Ostroff

Ethan’s practice focuses on financial services litigation and compliance counseling, as well as digital assets and blockchain technology. With a long track record of successful litigation results across the U.S., both bank and non-bank clients rely on him for comprehensive advice throughout their business cycle.

In this special crossover episode of The Crypto Exchange and Payments Pros podcasts, hosts Ethan Ostroff and Carlin McCrory, along with James Stevens, co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Financial Services Industry Group, explore the dynamic landscape of partnerships between financial institutions and digital asset firms. They discuss the increasing demand for payment enablement, highlighting how these institutions facilitate fiat currency transactions through strategic collaborations with digital asset providers.

In this special crossover episode of The Crypto Exchange and Payments Pros podcasts, hosts Ethan Ostroff and Carlin McCrory, along with James Stevens, co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Financial Services Industry Group, explore the dynamic landscape of partnerships between financial institutions and digital asset firms. They discuss the increasing demand for payment enablement, highlighting how these institutions facilitate fiat currency transactions through strategic collaborations with digital asset providers.

On September 29, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) announced significant modifications to the proposed regulations under the Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL) and the Money Transmission Act (MTA). These changes are part of an ongoing effort to refine the regulatory framework governing digital financial assets and ensure clarity in the application of these laws.

On September 15, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed into law House Bill 3178, introducing new requirements for auto dealers in the state. This legislation aims to standardize certain aspects of auto finance transactions, specifically those involving retail installment contracts (RICs) or lease agreements, and ensure clarity in the car-buying process. The law will take effect in 2026.

On September 19, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public input on the implementation of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. This ANPRM builds upon the Request for Comment on Innovative Methods to Detect Illicit Activity Involving Digital Assets issued by Treasury on August 18, which remains open for comment until October 17, 2025.

On September 15, the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington reversed a lower court’s decision in Aaland v. CRST Home Solutions, LLC (CRST), holding that unsolicited text messages sent to recruit independent contractors qualified as “commercial” messages under the state’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA). The decision vastly expands the scope of the state statute.