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10 Countries Actively Regulating Cryptocurrency Despite Global Crisis
6.4.2020
Despite the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting financial crisis, at least 10 countries have made announcements regarding cryptocurrency regulation since our last regulatory roundup. They include Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Spain, Germany, India, the Philippines, the U.S., and South...
Cryptocurrency Regulations Advance Despite Global Crisis, Cash Shortages, Bank Closures
25.3.2020
In this roundup, we cover crypto regulatory developments amid the global crisis effected by the coronavirus outbreak, bank closures, interest rate cuts, and plunging stock markets. Through it all, governments worldwide are still focusing on cryptocurrency regulation, including the U.S., South...
Regulatory Roundup: French Court Considers Bitcoin Money, Cryptocurrencies Legitimized in South Korea, Australia, India
10.3.2020
The cryptocurrency sector worldwide saw several historic regulatory events last week. In this roundup, we cover a landmark bitcoin ruling by a French court, South Korea’s first crypto bill, an Australian court’s ruling, Germany’s announcement, and a recent FATF meeting where more...
US Develops Cryptocurrency Intelligence Program Targeting P2P Sites, Forums, Darknet Markets
24.2.2020
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revealed a cryptocurrency intelligence program aimed at identifying unlicensed crypto businesses using P2P sites, online forums, and darknet markets. These areas have consistently presented “a significant challenge to law enforcement” and...
Regulatory Roundup: Trump’s Cryptocurrency Proposals, IRS Changes Rule, China Quarantines Cash
18.2.2020
In this roundup, we cover numerous cryptocurrency regulatory developments in the U.S., including President Trump’s crypto proposals, testimonies by the Federal Reserve chairman and the Treasury secretary, a crypto-friendly SEC proposal, and the IRS changing a crypto tax rule. We also cover...
Government Think Tank Niti Aayog Identifies Key Blockchain Use Cases for India
4.2.2020
The policy think tank for the government of India, Niti Aayog, has published a strategy document identifying a number of key areas blockchain technology can significantly benefit the country. “By empowering citizens through features of transparency, decentralization and accountability...
Another Crypto Exchange Discourages the Use of Bitcoin Mixing Services
30.1.2020
The cryptocurrency exchange Binance was recently scrutinized for flagging a customer’s funds because the individual had used a bitcoin mixing application. Now the platform Paxos Global is discouraging the use of crypto mixers after a customer allegedly sent coins to a mixing service. Also...
India Unveils National Blockchain Strategy, Calling on RBI to Issue Digital Currency
29.1.2020
India’s National Strategy on Blockchain has been published. It recommends, among other things, for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue a central bank digital currency. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology tasked the National Institute for Smart Government with drafting...
Hearing Concluded: Indian Supreme Court Deliberates on Crypto vs RBI Case
28.1.2020
The Indian supreme court has finished hearing the crypto vs. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) case. The hearing concluded on Tuesday with the counsel for the Internet and Mobile Association of India wrapping up his arguments, followed by arguments by the counsel representing crypto exchanges. The court...
Leading Swiss Stock Exchange Offers 12 Crypto Exchange-Traded Products With One That Shorts Bitcoin
25.1.2020
Switzerland’s principal stock exchange, SIX Swiss Exchange, now has 12 cryptocurrency exchange-traded products listed. The latest addition, the 21shares Short Bitcoin, allows investors to profit from falling prices of the digital currency. Other listed crypto products include those that track...
Iran Issues More Than 1,000 Cryptocurrency Mining Licenses
25.1.2020
The Iranian government has reportedly issued more than 1,000 licenses for cryptocurrency mining since it began regulating the industry. A number of large mining farms have set up in the country, but high electricity tariffs have kept many small investors away. Also read: Regulatory Roundup —...
Regulatory Roundup: New US Crypto Tax Bill, Central Banks Join Forces on Digital Currencies
23.1.2020
In this roundup, we cover an exceptionally busy week for crypto regulations around the globe. We start our coverage with the U.S. Virtual Currency Tax Fairness Act of 2020, actions by the SEC, Ripple’s lawsuit, India’s supreme court hearings, Australia green-lighting a bitcoin retail...
Indian Minister Inaugurates Blockchain Center of Excellence in Bengaluru
21.1.2020
A Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology has been inaugurated by Indian Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Bengaluru. It will facilitate various government departments in their blockchain work, leading to large scale deployment of blockchain applications. Also read: Regulatory Roundup:...
Developer Proposes Decentralized Bitcoin Hashrate Derivatives
20.1.2020
There’s a new concept called Powswap that lets people speculate on hashrate in order to hedge against price volatility. Powswap was developed by the software engineer Jeremy Rubin who believes hashrate derivatives products allow people to leverage new trading strategies. Also read: Regulatory...
New Bill in Oklahoma Proposes Depository for Cryptocurrencies Used by Government
19.1.2020
A bill has been introduced in the U.S. state of Oklahoma to establish a new type of state-chartered financial institution that will be “the central depository for virtual currency used by governmental agencies in this state.” The new establishment aims to provide financial and technical...
Crypto Experts Join OECD ‘High Level’ Advisory Board
19.1.2020
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, an intergovernmental body with 36 member countries, has formed “a high-level expert group” which includes executives from the crypto industry. They will provide advice in helping develop international blockchain policy...
Crypto Employment Abounds With More Than 8,000 Jobs in 2020
18.1.2020
During the last year, the cryptoconomy has picked up pace after a drawn out crypto winter. When market prices were low and startups were short on capital, a bunch of firms laid off employees in 2018. A year later, and digital currency companies are hiring. Also read: Regulatory Roundup: EU-Wide...
Crypto Exchange Bithumb Takes Korean Tax Authority to Court Over $69 Million ‘Groundless’ Tax
17.1.2020
Bithumb, a major crypto exchange in South Korea, has taken the country’s tax authority to court over a “groundless” tax imposed on the exchange. Experts explain that currently there are no grounds to tax crypto transactions in South Korea and existing tax laws do not apply...
Silvergate Bank and Bitstamp Launch Bitcoin Collateralized Loans
16.1.2020
U.S.-based Silvergate Bank has launched a bitcoin collateralized loan product with Bitstamp as its launch partner. The crypto exchange will act as the bank’s agent to manage and provide custody for bitcoin collateral. The product utilizes Silvergate Bank’s Exchange Network to fund loans...
Regulatory Roundup: EU-Wide Crypto Regulations, New Rules in Europe, US, Asia
14.1.2020
In this roundup, we cover EU-wide crypto regulations and individual countries’ new digital asset rules including Austria and the U.K. We also cover numerous crypto regulatory developments in the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Philippines. Also read: Regs Roundup: SEC Actions...