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Latam Insights — IMF States Latam’s CBDC Interest Rises, Lula Emphasizes Bretton Woods Institutions ‘No Longer Function’
26.6.2023
Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports interest in central bank digital currencies (CBDC) in Latam and the Caribbean is picking up, Lula criticizes...
IMF Economists Say Countries Should Address Crypto Demand Drivers Instead of Banning
23.6.2023
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) economists have cautioned that banning cryptocurrency “may not be effective in the long run.” Instead of outlawing crypto, they suggest countries should address “the drivers of crypto demand, including citizens’ unmet digital payment needs.”...
International Central Bank Group BIS: Global Financial System Could Benefit from Unified CBDCs
21.6.2023
A unified electronic ledger, combining central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and other tokenized assets, has the potential to enhance the global financial system, according to a report by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
The proposed ledger would leverage automated smart contracts...
IMF Working on Platform to Support CBDC Cross-Border Interoperability
21.6.2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is working to develop a platform that would serve as an interoperability layer for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), allowing for settlements among different countries. According to statements from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, this would...
Bitcoin ‘Permabull’ Max Keiser: ‘El Salvador Will Be Debt Free by 2030 With Bitcoin’
20.6.2023
Max Keiser, international journalist and chairman of mining company Volcano Energy, has pondered on the importance bitcoin adoption will have for El Salvador in the future. According to Keiser, thanks to bitcoin, El Salvador will be debt free by 2030, as the bitcoin price comes close to one million...
Crypto Lawyer Kyle Roche Was the 'Victim of an Elaborate International Set Up' – Here's What Happened
19.6.2023
Disgraced crypto lawyer Kyle Roche fell “victim to an elaborate international setup” that caused him to expose himself as corruptly beholden to Avalanche founder Ava Labs, reported the New York Times on Sunday.
The setup, which destroyed Roche’s career as one of the biggest lawyers...
China and Malaysia to Research AI for Blockchain Applications in Trade
19.6.2023
Blockchain developers from Malaysia will be working with Chinese colleagues to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in foreign trade. The collaboration, which is part of a China-led international research program, aims to speed up cross-border transactions. Malaysia and China to Conduct AI Research...
Crypto Conglomerates Should Be Regulated, MiCA 2 Needed, Bank of France Governor Says
19.6.2023
International cooperation is necessary to regulate crypto conglomerates, according to the head of the central bank of France. Speaking at a tech forum in Paris, Governor Villeroy de Galhau also suggested that a new version of the EU’s recently adopted crypto law may be needed to deal with...
Russia to Trial Digital Asset Settlements in Foreign Trade
17.6.2023
Bank of Russia plans to pilot cross-border payments using digital assets and central bank digital currencies, according to a deputy governor. The top executive believes these alternative instruments could increase efficiency in foreign trade while such settlements will not be permitted inside...
Economist Discusses Viability of BRICS Currency — Says Pegging to Chinese Yuan Would Be ‘First Major Step’
15.6.2023
An economist, who previously worked at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), has provided insights on the possibility of a BRICS currency coexisting with the U.S. dollar. Noting that China is a major trading partner of all BRICS nations, he suggested: “Pegging to the renminbi...
Iran and Russia Talk Crypto Cooperation, Unveil Tool Streamlining Trade in National Currencies
12.6.2023
Experts and business representatives from Iran and Russia have discussed the potential uses of cryptocurrencies and blockchain. The two countries are also collaborating on implementing new financial instruments facilitating bilateral trade in their national fiats. Financial Expo Brings Together...
a16z opening London crypto office citing 'predictable' environment
12.6.2023
The expansion came following a “productive dialogue” with the U.K. Prime Minister and “months of constructive conversations” with UK policymakers, a16z’s general partner said
IMF Urges Fed to Maintain Tightening Policy Amid Inflation Concerns, Citing ‘Challenges’ Ahead
9.6.2023
On Thursday, International Monetary Fund (IMF) spokesperson Julie Kozack urged the U.S. Federal Reserve and several other central banks to maintain a restrictive monetary policy known as tightening. Kozack stated that the U.S. central bank may need to keep the federal funds rate higher “for...
Economist Discusses BRICS Currency’s Prospect of Becoming Global Currency
7.6.2023
Economist Alexis Habiyaremye from the University of Johannesburg says that a proposed common BRICS currency, if used effectively and systematically for all trade transactions between BRICS nations, would “alleviate the burden on these countries to finance” the “disproportionate advantage that...
Chinese Yuan, Euro, Digital Currencies Challenge US Dollar Dominance, TD Economist Says
7.6.2023
A senior economist at financial services firm TD says the Chinese yuan, the euro, and digital currencies could erode the U.S. dollar’s dominance. “Several countries have shown frustration with the dominance of the dollar and are pursuing alternatives for conducting international trade...
Russia’s Rosbank Launches Crypto Payments Solution for Cross-Border Settlements
5.6.2023
Rosbank has become the first large Russian bank to offer clients an option to use cryptocurrencies in international settlements. The solution, provided in tandem with a Russian fintech, is mostly intended to meet the needs of businesses working with foreign partners. Russian Companies to Be Able...
BRICS Nations to Encourage Use of Local Currencies in Trade
3.6.2023
Countries in the BRICS bloc intend to encourage the use of local currencies in cross-border trade, their foreign ministers revealed. The top diplomats, who met in South Africa, also emphasized the importance of financial inclusion, welcoming new technologies that support it. BRICS to Stimulate...
Russia to Enact Laws to Regulate Crypto Exchange Action; Profiles Use of Cryptocurrency to Bypass Sanctions
30.5.2023
The government of Russia is preparing to regulate the establishment and action of crypto exchanges, abandoning its earlier proposal of the creation of a unique national platform. Anatoly Aksakov, head of the Russian State Duma Financial Markets Committee, stated that crypto exchanges could help...
Huobi HK Offers Spot Trading and Custodial Solutions in Hong Kong Following Licensing Regime Implementation
29.5.2023
On May 29, Huobi HK announced its expansion of services after Hong Kong implemented its new crypto exchange license system. The platform now provides spot and custodial services to both retail and institutional customers in Hong Kong. Huobi’s update comes shortly after Huobi Global faced regulatory...
China’s Credit Agency Downgrades US Credit Rating Over Debt-Ceiling Standoff and Looming Default
27.5.2023
China’s oldest credit rating agency, Chengxin International Credit Rating (CCXI), made headlines this week by downgrading the United States’ credit rating. The agency lowered the rating from AAAg to AAg+ and attributed this decision to the escalating political discord, rising inflation...