iSignthis sues ASX over alleged 'leak' of confidential information By Sarah Danckert
December 5, 2019 — 10.18am
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Embattled tech group iSignthis has ramped up its battle with the sharemarket operator, launching legal action against the ASX to have its trading suspension lifted while making the incendiary claim that its confidential information was leaked by the ASX.
In the Federal Court case, iSignthis will allege that the market operator has on four occasions since October unlawfully failed to lift the suspension of trading in the company’s shares.
It also alleges the ASX has unreasonably used its powers to compel the group to hand over confidential information, which it claims was later leaked.
iSignthis chief executive John Karantzis. His company is suing the ASX.
The court action is the latest development of a growing dispute between iSignthis and the ASX after the market operator suspended trading in the group’s shares to conduct a review of the company’s disclosures.
iSignthis, which provides automated payment verification and payment services to clients to help them meet "know your client" requirements under anti-money laundering regulations, has been in the headlines since September when proxy advisory and research group Ownership Matters raised questions about the quality of the group’s disclosures, its governance and shareholder structure.
ASIC is separately reviewing iSignthis’s disclosure practices. RELATED ARTICLE
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The ASX has also quizzed iSignthis's about the quality of its customer base. The tech group has since confirmed that about a quarter of its revenue for 2019 was derived from customers that are subject to major regulatory action, including criminal charges being laid against associated people for allegedly running online trading scams.
No allegations have been made against iSignthis being involved or aware of the alleged scams being operated by some of its clients.
The tech group has responded to a series of inquiries by the ASX, but its stock is yet to resume trading.
On November 25, iSignthis issued a statement blasting the ASX saying that its "inquiries continue to impact management's time and focus, with a review on the impact to be taken by the board in early December".
The claim will allege that ASX has breached its own operating rules and the Corporations Act.
ASX said in a statement that it would vigorously defend the action.
"As is well known, ISX [iSignthis] has been suspended while ASX investigated the company’s compliance with the listing rules," a spokesman said.
"ASX informed ISX that it would give the company draft findings about its compliance this week. ISX has now chosen to take the matter to court."
