Because there is never a dull moment in the world of economic sanctions, Brian and Tim dive deep on possible U.S. responses to the military coup in Myanmar and how China looms large in that decision. Next, we discuss early signals from the Biden Administration on its approach to the Venezuela sanctions program, and we examine the potential impact of a lawsuit from Xiaomi challenging its recent designation as a Communist Chinese military company. Finally, in the Lightning Round, we briefly touch on the new U.S. approach to Yemen and spend a few minutes wondering whether the CFIUS SWAT Team is coming after us.
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EMBARGOED! is not intended and cannot be relied on as legal advice; the content only reflects the thoughts and opinions of its hosts.
Timestamps:
0:10 Introduction and Roadmap
The Rundown
5:43 Military Coup in Myanmar
35:50 A New Approach to Venezuela
50:23 Xiaomi Lawsuit
1:05:09 Lightning Round
1:05:30 Update on Yemen
1:09:55 CFIUS SWAT Team
1:20:39 Final Thoughts
***Stay sanctions free.***
Day: February 11, 2021
In this episode, I am joined by Mikhail Reider-Gordon, Managing Director of Global Affairs at Affiliated Monitors, Inc. Today, we consider why independence in monitors is so critical. Gordon has seen the continuing and ever-present need for independence by monitors and in monitorships. She noted that she has observed the selection of monitors “where their true independence is perhaps dubious.” There has also been a trend of “hiring former colleagues with their agencies or people that have worked with in the past by regulators.” This has led some commentators to accuse the process of cronyism but also that monitors may be more sympathetic to the enforcement side. This latter point has led many companies to shy away from monitorships when perhaps they could best use their assistance.
It has also led into what Gordon characterized as the “danger of informal sympathies” with “subtle influences that can remove true impartiality.” Gordon underscored that true neutrals are not as easily come by as many may have thought. Such informality can be found in so many of our human relationships, former law school classmates, work colleagues, friendships, even home or social background can play such a significant role in allowing dispensations to occur, all of which can impact success of combating noncompliance.
Gordon tied all this “back to understanding on ethical culture where informality can allow certain behaviors to slide into a negative situation.” It could be “a willingness to cross lines regarding a specific regulation or failing to see that the spirit of the laws are not being fully upheld in a particular entity.” All of this means a monitor “can start with the proposition that every compliance and ethics program can be improved and then move to address what changes have to occur that will demonstrate to the outside world company and to the regulator which is overseeing terms of settlement agreement. Let’s get you to that place and help you to understand the value of constant evolution and compliance and ethics program.”
For more information on AMI, check out their website. For more information on Mikhail Reider-Gordon, check out her LinkedIn profile.
Shub Nandi is the co-founder and CEO of PiChain Innovations Pvt Limited, a RegTech company that researches and develops DeepTech systems to proactively learn, solve, and automate complex problems. Shub joins Vince Walden to discuss PiChain’s use of AI and blockchain to help with the automation of customer onboarding.
Roughly 1 trillion USD is laundered yearly in the US, yet only 1% of those illicit transactions are uncovered, Shub cites. This occurs despite the existence of regulations and compliance, suggesting that the implementation of these measures is lacking. Shub comments that many financial institutions view compliance as a “black box that is yet to be solved.”
PiChain is bridging the gap between the unbanked population and financial institutions via easy, simple, and convenient interfaces that are easily accessible through smartphones. Onboarding the 400+ personas in this population requires enhanced KYC and advanced programming like artificial intelligence to create ideal financial products for their needs. In addition, PiChain uses blockchain in conjunction with AI technology to ensure that their processes are compliant, and their models are fair and explainable.
Shub advises financial service companies to focus on understanding their customers rather than just their financial details.
Resources
Shub Nandi on LinkedIn
PiChainLabs.com
