Since the House passed the CLARITY Act on July 17, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, which has oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has been busy working on its own version of the U.S. crypto regulatory framework. Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC), along with Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Bernie Moreno (R-OH), released a discussion draft of the “Responsible Financial Innovation Act of 2025.” This comprehensive legislation aims to provide regulatory clarity, encourage innovation, and address key risks in the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem. This blog highlights critical elements of the draft bill, offering an overview of its major provisions and implications. Alongside the draft, the Senate Banking Committee has issued a broad Request for Information (RFI) to solicit feedback from the public, with responses due by August 5, 2025.

On July 24, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 3865 (HB 3865) into law, introducing significant changes to the regulation of telephone solicitations within the state. This new legislation narrows the permissible calling hours, reducing communications during late evening hours by prohibiting calls after 8 p.m., down from the previous 9 p.m. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of telephone solicitations to include text messages.

In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Payments Pros, Chris Willis, Jason Cover, and Taylor Gess expand on the Point-of-Sale Finance Series to focus on leases and rent-to-own (RTO) models. This conversation spotlights the legal frameworks and best practices for structuring these models and integrating alternative financial options into point-of-sale offerings for goods and services. They also discuss market trends driving the creation of innovative products that are becoming increasingly popular, including virtual RTOs, solar panel leasing, and short-term renewable transactions for ride-share programs.

An initiative designed to add significant regulatory obligations to the home improvement and solar financing industries is progressing through the California legislature. Senate Bill 784 (SB 784) passed the California Senate last month and the California Assembly is quickly moving a slightly amended version of the bill through committees in July. If enacted, SB 784 would take effect on January 1, 2026.

On July 16, TradeStation Securities, Inc., a member firm of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC) to FINRA’s Department of Enforcement. This AWC proposes a settlement for alleged rule violations concerning retail communications related to crypto assets. The acceptance of this AWC by FINRA ensures that no future actions will be brought against TradeStation Securities based on the same factual findings.

In this episode of FCRA Focus, host Dave Gettings is joined by Brooke Conkle and Mandi Blackmon to explore the intricacies of a furnisher’s reasonable investigation under Section 1681s-2(b) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The discussion centers around the Second Circuit’s recent decision in the Suluki case, which addresses the standards for conducting a reasonable investigation in the context of identity theft allegations. The hosts delve into the background of the case, the arguments presented by both parties, and the court’s rationale in affirming summary judgment for the defendant. They also examine how this decision aligns with prior Second Circuit precedent and its implications for compliance and litigation strategies. Tune in for a detailed analysis of how the Suluki decision reinforces the principle that investigations must be reasonable, not perfect, and what this means for furnishers navigating similar claims.

In a significant turn of events, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) has decided to initiate a new rulemaking process concerning its final rule on personal financial data rights under Section 1033 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (1033 rule). This decision comes amidst ongoing legal challenges, notably from Forcht Bank, N.A.; Kentucky Bankers Association; and the Bank Policy Institute, which filed a lawsuit immediately after the 1033 rule was finalized challenging it.

In this episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso from Troutman Pepper Locke’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group examine the current status of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Holder Rule. They discuss its historical context, current interpretations, and future implications, particularly focusing on attorneys’ fees. The conversation highlights the California Supreme Court’s Pulliam decision, which challenged traditional understandings of the rule by allowing for the recovery of attorneys’ fees under certain state laws. Additionally, they examine the FTC’s 2022 advisory opinion, which aligns with Pulliam and broadens the scope of potential claims against holders of credit contracts. Finally, they take a look at the impacts of Pulliam and forecast the future of the Holder Rule in the current regulatory climate. The episode provides insights into how these developments impact auto finance companies and the strategies they can employ to mitigate risks associated with the Holder Rule.

Today, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (NYC DCWP) announced another delay in the effective date of its amended debt collection rules. This marks the second postponement. As discussed here, the rules were initially set to take effect on December 1, 2024. Then the enforcement date was first postponed to April 1, 2025, following industry concerns and legal challenges, and then to October 1, 2025. However, the NYC DCWP has now stated that the rules will not go into effect on October 1, 2025, and has committed to providing an update at least three months prior to the new effective date.