In a major policy address delivered yesterday at the Security Industry and Financial Markets Association’s (SIFMA) Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Conference in Washington, D.C., Matthew Galeotti, Head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division, announced a significant shift in how DOJ approaches white collar enforcement. The changes reflect a broader recalibration toward “focus, fairness, and efficiency,” and emphasize DOJ’s intent to partner with law-abiding companies rather than punish them indiscriminately.

On May 7, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) issued a follow up to its July 2020 Interpretative Letter 1170, which allowed national banks to provide cryptocurrency custody services to their customers.[1] The May 7 letter (Interpretive Letter 1184)[2] further clarified that banks can buy and sell cryptocurrency at the custody customer’s direction and outsource cryptocurrency custody and execution services.[3] But in contrast to the OCC’s clear confirmation that banks can provide cryptocurrency custody services, the guidance for safe and sound practices for those services remains murky.

Today, large swaths of the globe stand at the brink of political violence and armed conflict with some areas in active warfare.  Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Israel’s armed conflicts against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the simmering tensions regarding China’s territorial claim to Taiwan and other disputed territories in the South China Sea are just a few international conflicts that grab daily international headlines.  Turmoil in the global markets stemming from the imposition of tariffs between the U.S. and some its trading partners has raised concerns of a global recession that could further destabilize governments and currency in emerging markets.  But in this period of uncertainty in the international order, companies with substantial international investments or operations may face increased risks of expropriation, currency instability and political violence in jurisdictions previously thought stable.  Indeed, insurance company Allianz considers about 100 countries to be at “high or extreme risk of civil unrest.” 

LLR Partners has announced the close of a new fund.

The fund — LLR Equity Partners VII — closed at $2.45 billion.

LLR, founded in 1999 and based in Philadelphia, makes majority and minority investments in lower middle market technology and healthcare businesses. Within healthcare, the firm pursues investments in healthcare IT, outsourced healthcare…

New Mountain Capital has completed a strategic investment in SmarterDx, according to a news release.

SmarterDx, founded in 2020 and based in New York, develops clinical artificial intelligence focused on revenue integrity and care quality.

New Mountain, based in New York, is a growth-oriented investment firm. Founded in 1999, the firm manages private…

On March 6, 2025, federal prosecutors charged a Minnesota couple with orchestrating a $15 million healthcare fraud scheme involving overbilling and submission of false claims for neurofeedback and other behavioral health services performed by a network of behavioral health clinics. This newly unsealed federal indictment underscores the Department of Justice’s increasing focus on fraud involving…

Ampersand Capital Partners has invested in Lexington Medical, according to a news release.

Lexington, founded in 2013 and based in Bedford, Massachusetts, is a developer of surgical stapling solutions.

Ampersand, founded in 1988 and based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, is a middle market private equity firm with a focus on growth equity investments in…