It looks to me like All SL exchanges will be finished- from reading the LL blog.  I cant see any exchange getting any legally binding government regulatory approval.  All I can say is I know that Cocky Dagger is of good character so at least we wont be totally screwed at the ISE- Cocky will do the best he can given the situation. 

I agree with Wenden. I'm glad most of my portfolio is on the ISE.

Yanik

I'm not so sure. If you read the FAQ that was attached to the announcemnet there seemed to be a grey area when they discussed exchanges. There is a big difference between banking regulators and exchange regulators.

It can be argued that dividends are not interest.  They are a result of profit making, thus they are a return on investment.. Obviously the companies that depended heavly on the banks for part of their profits will be hurting worse than other companies who are making their profits in other ways.

The only thing that I still have questions about is the removal of the ATM's. How do we get money in and out of the exchange. Technically LL can remove the exchange's ATM's since they do represent a "return on investment", but the exchange itself could still be viable via the web. That will be a harder nut to crack, IMO.

"Thus, as we did in the past with gambling, as of January 22, 2008 we will begin removing any virtual ATMs or other objects that facilitate the operation or facilitation of in-world “banking,” i.e., the offering of interest or a rate of return on L$ invested or deposited. We ask that between now and then, those who operate these “banks” settle up on any promises they have made to other Residents and, of course, honor valid withdrawals. After that date, we may sanction those who continue to offer these services with suspension, termination of accounts, and loss of land."

<> I've already seen my last stock's price plummet today at this news. I had been sitting on almost all of what I bought, hoping it would rise above the IPO price of 1$ in a month or two after some real earnings figures had posted. Now it looks like even even if it makes a profit I won't be able to cash it out because there won't be any ATMs to withdraw from.

I'm relieved I got rid of the rest of my stocks when I did, but I wasn't happy to see my Vlada stock drop by more than 30% as everyone else panic sold on this news.

Clarification:

I agreed with Wenden's comment that Cocky will find a way with this.

I don't believe that stock exchanges are finished. There are multiple ways to deal with the new rules.

I think LL needs help with public relations.

Yanik 

Some stock exchanges might just go down if they cannot meet the withdrawal.

I think ISE will be safe.