The US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (Finra) has announced that it has established a new initiative designed to foster an ongoing dialogue with the securities industry that will help Finra better understand FinTech.

The Innovation Outreach Initiative aims to boost Finra’s knowledge of FinTech innovations and their impact on the industry.

The initiative will build on recent efforts by Finra to focus on FinTech, such as the launch of a new FinTech webpage that highlights emerging FinTech topics and Finra materials, including pieces on blockchain technology and digital investment advice.

Finra has also created a cross-departmental team led by its Office of Emerging Regulatory Issues that is responsible for carrying out the initiative and working closely with industry participants to gain real-time intelligence on FinTech issues.

The knowledge gathered through this initiative will help Finra consider whether there are additional steps it should take to further facilitate FinTech innovations in the securities industry.

Robert Cook, Finra president and CEO, said: “Finra has long been engaged in discussions about FinTech issues with member firms and other key stakeholders. The Innovation Outreach Initiative will enable us to better track FinTech developments across the rapidly changing industry environment in order to support innovation in the industry while maintaining investor protection and market integrity.”

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