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Russian Prime Minister Orders Finance Ministry, Central Bank to Agree on Crypto by December
15.9.2022
The central bank and the finance ministry in Moscow have been asked by the head of the Russian government to agree on a vision for the development of the country’s digital asset market by Dec 1. Working with other regulators, they should also present a common position on the legislation...
Foreigners to Be Given Anonymous Entry Points to Digital Ruble, Russian Official Suggests
15.9.2022
Foreign nationals should be able to buy Russia’s upcoming digital ruble through entry points providing anonymity, according to a high-ranking member of the Russian parliament. The idea circulated in Moscow aims to protect these investors from Western sanctions. State Duma Deputy Proposes...
OFAC Sanctions 7 New Bitcoin Addresses Allegedly Associated With Iran-Related Ransomware Activities
14.9.2022
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) has published a specially designated nationals list update (OFAC’s SDN List) that lists a number of individuals accused of being involved with Iran-related ransomware. The list further shows seven bitcoin addresses that...
Russian Businesses to Choose Which Crypto to Use for Cross-Border Settlements, Lawmaker Says
14.9.2022
Russian companies may start transacting in cryptocurrency with partners abroad as early as next year and will be free to pick the coin they want to use, officials in Moscow have indicated. The sanctioned country is preparing to legalize foreign trade settlements with digital assets and this could...
Ethiopian Central Bank Restricts Amount of Cash Travelers Can Hold, Sets Foreign Currency Conditions
13.9.2022
According to the National Bank of Ethiopia’s directive, which became effective on September 5, persons entering and departing the country in possession of local currency are now subject to new restrictions. Individuals may not hold local currency whose value exceeds $57.00 or 3,000 birr....
Nigerian Blockchain Startup Bitmama Closes $2 Million Pre-Seed Round
11.9.2022
After raising $1.65 million via a pre-seed extension, Bitmama, a Nigeria-based blockchain startup, has now closed its pre-seed funding round at $2 million, a report has said. Leading the funding round were two Africa-focused venture capital firms: Unicorn Growth Capital and Launch Africa....
Bank of Russia to Promote Digital Ruble in Foreign Trade as Finance Ministry Pushes for Crypto Option
10.9.2022
Days after the two institutions agreed on the need for cross-border crypto payments, the finance ministry and the central bank of Russia are once again highlighting their different priorities. While the treasury department aims for legalizing cryptocurrency payments in the coming months,...
500,000 DAI From DAO Maker Exploit Was Sent Through Tornado Cash, Security Analysts Report
9.9.2022
On September 8, the crypto security and smart contract auditing firm Certik revealed that 500,000 DAI was sent through the Tornado Cash mixing platform after the funds were stolen in August 2021. The digital assets originally stemmed from the DAO Maker breach that saw the loss of more than...
Top Russian Lawmaker Joins Calls for Legalizing International Crypto Payments
9.9.2022
A high-ranking member of the Russian parliament has urged for the adoption of a relevant legal framework to properly regulate cross-border crypto payments. His proposal comes after key regulators in Moscow said that Russia needs to allow the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade, now that...
Russia Explores Stablecoins for Settlements With Friendly Nations
7.9.2022
Russia is cooperating with friendly countries on the potential employment of stablecoins in international payments, a top government official unveiled. The news comes after key institutions in Moscow agreed that the Russian Federation needs to legalize cross-border crypto payments in the face...
Russia Can’t Do Without Cross-Border Crypto Payments, Consensus Reached
7.9.2022
Key government institutions have agreed that Russia needs to legalize crypto payments for international settlements. The proposal has been gaining support in the past few months since Moscow’s decision to invade Ukraine was met with wave after wave of Western sanctions. Financial Authorities...
Australian Treasury consults public on Bitcoin foreign currency tax exclusion
6.9.2022
The public has been provided with 25 days to share their opinion on the proposed legislation
IMF Bailout Approval Helps Zambian Kwacha Take the Russian Ruble’s Position as World’s Best Performing Currency
3.9.2022
After the International Money Fund revealed it had approved a bailout package for Zambia, the Southern African country’s currency, the kwacha, rallied by 3.1%. Following this gain, the kwacha took the Russian ruble’s position as the world’s best-performing currency in 2022....
Russian PM Says Digital Assets Are ‘Safe Alternative’ in Foreign Trade, Urges for Ruble Payments
31.8.2022
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has praised digital assets as a payment instrument that could strengthen Russia’s financial independence. The top government official also called for increasing the use of the ruble for international settlements. Head of Russian Government Sees...
Bank of Russia Eases Restrictions on Purchases of Dollar and Euro Cash
28.8.2022
The Central Bank of Russia has relaxed some limitations for Russian banks selling U.S. dollars and euros to the public. The increased supply of foreign cash may affect the crypto market in the country as currency restrictions have been a driver of increased demand for digital coins. Monetary...
Afghanistan Closes Down 16 Cryptocurrency Exchanges, Arrests Operators
26.8.2022
Law enforcement in Afghanistan has shut down over a dozen crypto exchanges in Herat, detaining the people who were running them. The offensive comes after the introduction of a ban on online foreign exchange that the Taliban seem to have applied to coin trading as well. Taliban Government Goes...
Latest Ghana Benchmark Rate Hike the Largest on Record — President Promises Action Against ‘Unacceptable Depreciation of the Cedi’
23.8.2022
After seeing Ghana’s inflation rate surge to 31.7% in July, the Bank of Ghana responded by hiking the benchmark interest rate by 300 basis points. In addition to the rate hike, the central bank said it will gradually raise banks’ primary reserve requirements. One expert has said...
Iran Impart Association demands regulatory clarity to use crypto in foreign trade
23.8.2022
Corporate lobbyists urge the government to create a proper infrastructure and avoid the emergence of business rent
Iranian Association Calls for Stable Crypto Regulation as Government Plans Widespread Use of Crypto in Foreign Trade
23.8.2022
Iran’s association of importers has stressed the need for a stable regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies now that the Iranian government is officially using crypto to pay for imports. “By the end of September, the use of cryptocurrencies and smart contracts will be widespread...
Korean Regulator Takes Action Against 16 Foreign Crypto Exchanges
20.8.2022
The South Korean financial intelligence unit is taking action against 16 foreign cryptocurrency exchanges for operating illegally in the country. “For illegal business activities of unregistered entities, maximum of 5 years of imprisonment or up to KRW 50 million of fines can...