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Florida Attorney General Investigates Robinhood Crypto Over Low-Cost Trading Claims

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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has initiated an investigation into Robinhood Crypto, scrutinizing whether the platform misled users by advertising itself as the cheapest option for buying cryptocurrencies. The AG’s office announced on Thursday that it has issued a subpoena to Robinhood Crypto, a division of Robinhood Markets, seeking internal documents related to potential breaches of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Uthmeier emphasized the need for transparency in cryptocurrency transactions, stating, “When consumers buy and sell crypto assets, they deserve transparency in their transactions.” He added that Robinhood’s longstanding claim of being the “best bargain” appears to be deceptive.

Robinhood allows customers to trade stocks and cryptocurrencies without charging direct commissions. Instead, the company earns revenue by routing orders to third-party firms that pay Robinhood, a practice known as payment for order flow (PFOF).

In response, Robinhood’s General Counsel Lucas Moskowitz said the company provides clear pricing information throughout the trading process, including details on spreads, fees, and Robinhood’s revenue from trades. He defended Robinhood’s position as a platform offering “crypto trading at the lowest cost on average.”

Italy probes Revolut over alleged unfair practices in investment services

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Italy’s competition authority (AGCM) has launched an investigation into British fintech giant Revolut, focusing on allegations of unfair commercial practices related to its investment and banking services. The watchdog claims Revolut misled users by promoting zero-commission investments without clearly disclosing additional costs and limitations.

According to AGCM, Revolut failed to inform customers that its zero-fee products involve fractional shares, which differ significantly from whole stocks in voting and transfer rights. The regulator also highlighted that Revolut did not clearly warn crypto asset investors that stop-loss and take-profit settings—tools typically used to manage investment risks—could not be modified.

AGCM further accused Revolut of adopting an aggressive stance by suspending and blocking financial accounts without sufficient notice or assistance, restricting customer access to cash and related services for prolonged periods.

Inspections were carried out at Revolut Bank UAB’s Italian offices by AGCM and Italy’s finance police. Revolut said it is fully cooperating with the probe and remains committed to compliance and customer protection but declined to comment on specific details as the investigation is ongoing.

Revolut, valued at $45 billion last year, is one of the most successful European digital-only fintechs. The company aims to expand into mortgages and consumer lending to compete with traditional banks and grow its presence in the U.S.

Under Italian law, violations of consumer rights can result in fines ranging from €5,000 to €10 million.

France Fines Shein €40 Million for Misleading Discounts on Fast Fashion Platform

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France’s antitrust regulator has fined fast-fashion giant Shein €40 million ($47.17 million) for deceptive commercial practices related to misleading discounts offered on its platform. The penalty follows a nearly year-long investigation into how Shein presented pricing on its French website.

According to the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), Shein’s European sales handler, Infinite Style E-Commerce Co Ltd (ISEL), failed to comply with French pricing laws that require any advertised discount to reflect the lowest price offered over the prior 30 days. Instead, Shein often disregarded prior discounts and, in some cases, even increased prices before applying supposed markdowns.

The investigation, which analyzed thousands of products listed between October 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023, found that:

  • 57% of the “discounts” did not actually reduce the price,

  • 19% offered smaller savings than advertised,

  • 11% were actually price increases disguised as deals.

The regulator concluded that Shein had misled consumers about the authenticity of its promotional offers, violating both consumer trust and legal standards.

In response, Shein stated that it was notified of the violations in March 2023 and took corrective action within two months. The company emphasized that “all identified issues were addressed more than a year ago” and reaffirmed its commitment to full compliance with French regulations.

This fine adds to growing scrutiny of Shein across Europe and other markets, where regulators are focusing not just on pricing practices but also on environmental impact and labor transparency.