Verdict . News

Regulatory

•CFTC reissued Staff Letter 25-40 to include national trust banks as eligible payment stablecoin issuers

CFTC Expands Stablecoin Rules to Include National Trust Bank Issuers

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has reissued its no-action letter to clarify that national trust banks can issue payment stablecoins eligible for use as customer margin collateral by futures commission merchants. The update corrects an unintended exclusion from December guidance.

•Original December 2025 guidance unintentionally excluded national trust bank-issued stablecoins

•Supreme Court cited six scholar briefs in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, an extraordinary level for a single case

Supreme Court Increasingly Relies on Academic Briefs in Major Decisions

New research reveals Supreme Court justices are turning more frequently to scholarly briefs for constitutional interpretation, with the landmark Dobbs decision citing six different academic briefs. The study analyzed over 2,300 scholars and 103 academic briefs from 2015-2025.

•Study analyzed 103 scholar briefs and over 2,300 scholars cited between 2015-2025 terms

•Supreme Court justices used varying pronoun choices during transgender sports case arguments

Supreme Court Justices' Pronoun Use Varies in Transgender Sports Cases

During oral arguments in two transgender sports cases, Supreme Court justices displayed differing approaches to pronoun usage when referring to transgender individuals, reflecting linguistic patterns that have varied across the court for decades. The court appeared skeptical of challenges to state bans on transgender athletes competing in female sports categories.

•Court appeared skeptical of challenges to Idaho and West Virginia laws banning transgender athletes

•Supreme Court could rule at any time on California's parental notification policies for students using different names or pronouns

U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court Could Rule Anytime on California School Notification Policy

The Supreme Court could issue a ruling at any time on California's policies requiring parental notification when public school students choose to use different names or pronouns. The case sits on the interim docket as the Court prepares for its next opinion release date.

•New poll shows 63% of Americans want Court to limit presidential tariff authority

Regulatory

•FTC has achieved over 90 favorable enforcement outcomes in data security cases since its initial 2023 report

FTC Reports 90+ Cybersecurity Enforcement Actions in Congressional Update

The Federal Trade Commission released its second mandated report to Congress detailing expanded efforts against ransomware and cyberattacks from hostile nations. The agency has achieved over 90 favorable enforcement outcomes, including settlements with GoDaddy and Illuminate Education.

•The agency continues targeting cyber threats from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran under the RANSOMWARE Act mandate

Federal Circuit

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms State Court Remand in CentroMed Data Breach Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to remand a data breach class action lawsuit against CentroMed back to state court. The healthcare provider had unsuccessfully sought federal jurisdiction under federal removal statutes.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed remand of CentroMed data breach class action to state court

•Court rejected healthcare provider's removal attempts under federal statutes

Federal Circuit

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Eleventh Circuit Dismisses Civil Rights Suit Against Cutler Bay

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal by Melissa Antoinette Betterson in her civil rights lawsuit against the Town of Cutler Bay and law enforcement officials. Betterson, representing herself, alleged false arrest and denial of medical treatment in violation of her constitutional rights.

•Pro se plaintiff Melissa Betterson lost her civil rights appeal against Town of Cutler Bay and law enforcement officials

•Lawsuit alleged false arrest and denial of medical treatment violating Fourth and Eighth Amendment rights

State Court

•Idaho Supreme Court partially affirmed and vacated district court ruling in nonprofit property dispute

Idaho Supreme Court

Idaho Supreme Court Issues Mixed Ruling in Cancer Camp Property Dispute

The Idaho Supreme Court partially affirmed and vacated a lower court ruling in a property dispute between Camp Magical Moments Cancer Camp for Kids and Tom and Ann Walsh. The court ordered the case remanded for additional proceedings in the dispute over building valuations and property disposition.

•Camp Magical Moments won $154,753.42 judgment against Walsh family for building valuation differences

Federal Circuit

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Affirms $1.05M Award in Counterfeit KN95 Mask Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a $1,055,000 damages award against Vonnic, Inc. for selling counterfeit KN95 masks to Bluemar Promotions, LLC during the COVID-19 pandemic. The appellate court affirmed the district court's finding that Vonnic breached its contractual obligations by providing fake protective equipment.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed $1,055,000 damages award against Vonnic for selling counterfeit KN95 masks

•District court previously found Vonnic breached contract by providing fake protective equipment during pandemic