Archive for the Author ‘Sebastian Förste’

Sebastian Förste

Sebastian Förste advises credit institutions and financial services providers on regulatory issues and represents them in dealings with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the German Central Bank (Bundesbank). In addition, he provides advisory services on the laws relating to cryptographic currencies, like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple, and Initial Coin Offerings/Token Sales.

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Obligations of Issuers of Financial Instruments in Germany

Jun 28, 19 • Banking Regulations, Capital Markets and Securities Law • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

Companies raising money on the capital market by issuing shares or debt securities usually have to publish an information prospectus for investors. However, it is not enough for issuers to publish this so-called securities prospectus. There are a number of other […]
Protection Against Cyberattacks for German Banks and FinTechs

Sep 27, 18 • Banking Regulations, Privacy Law • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

Digital attacks against banks and financial services providers pose major challenges not only on that sector but also on the legislator and the financial supervisory authorities. In 2017, nearly 10 billion cyberattacks occurred worldwide. Apart from spam and phishing, the main […]
Public Offerings and ICOs About to Become Much Easier in Germany?

Jun 28, 18 • Capital Markets and Securities Law • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

Federal government is planning a “short prospectus” for public offerings of up to eight million euros Whenever a company wishes to realize a business project or a large investment, the question about the financing will inevitably arise. Beyond traditional bank financing […]
How Does Financing a Start-up Through an ICO Work in Germany?

May 9, 18 • Blockchain, Capital Markets and Securities Law, Digital Currencies • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) are presently probably the most hyped way of procuring venture capital not only in Germany but worldwide. ICOs associate elements of crowdfunding with Blockchain technology. By the end of March 2018 alone, this innovative financing mechanism generated […]
No Authorization Required for Trading in Cryptocurrencies in Germany

Mar 28, 18 • Digital Currencies • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

In Germany, the commercial trading in most goods is permissible without any specific authorization. However, anyone intending to provide services relating to securities or other financial instruments needs an authorization from the German financial market supervisory authority BaFin. As a successful […]
After Brexit: Rising number of foreign banks consider moving to Frankfurt

Feb 6, 17 • Banking Regulations • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

“It’s not enough just to install a letterbox.” With these words Peter Lutz, deputy executive director at the German financial supervisory authority, closed a workshop on the Brexit organized for foreign banks. Since the United Kingdom has voted out of the […]
Credit linked notes: BaFin intervenes to protect investors

Aug 18, 16 • German Banking & Finance Law • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

In 2015 the German legislator passed the Retail Investors Protection Act (“Kleinanlegerschutzgesetz”). This has been done to remedy shortcomings on the so called “Grey Capital Market”, which ended up in the failure of Prokon GmbH, a huge issuer of profit-sharing rights. […]
Payment Accounts Directive – banks will soon have to set up an account for anyone

Jun 30, 16 • Banking Regulations • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

As of this summer, the new Payment Accounts Directive will be transposed into the national law of each member state of the European Union. For this reason, the German Bundestag adopted the new German Act on Payment Accounts on April 11, […]
Brits for Brexit: Risks for banks and financial service providers – Chances for Frankfurt?

Jun 27, 16 • German Banking & Finance Law • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

On 23 June 2016, the British in their referendum on whether or not to remain in the European Union by a narrow but clear majority voted to leave the EU, the so-called Brexit. As one consequence, the British government is now […]
New FinTech center to be created in Frankfurt/Main

Mar 31, 16 • German Banking & Finance Law • No Comments • Sebastian Förste

Although Frankfurt is an international financial center located at a favorable traffic hub, it finds itself lagging behind in terms of attracting start-up companies in the FinTech sector. To counter this, it has now been decided in cooperation with the Hessian […]