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The state of the energy sector in 2023 & beyond – An interview with Decarbonice
17.2.2023
2022 was one of the toughest years for the energy markets worldwide in our recent history. The year was marked by geopolitical conflicts that caused rapid price increases of multiple energy sources, causing higher inflation levels across the board. At the same time, we have rising energy demands...
Binance to Support Georgia’s Crypto Industry Through Blockchain Education
5.2.2023
Digital asset exchange Binance has agreed to help Georgia to develop its cryptocurrency sector by launching educational and other blockchain initiatives. The leading coin trading platform has been expanding its presence in the region with similar projects in other countries. Binance and Georgian...
Russia Expands Its Crypto Mining Capacity, Report Reveals
5.2.2023
The total capacity of crypto mining facilities in Russia has been increasing in the past year, despite the market downturn and sanctions, according to a survey of leading operators. Depressed prices of mining equipment and stronger interest from domestic customers have been identified as major...
Uzbekistan Collects Over $300,000 From Crypto Sector
4.2.2023
While operations with digital assets are not taxed in Uzbekistan, the government is receiving a growing amount of revenues from the industry. The increase in budget receipts has been attributed to the licensing regime and the introduction of fees for crypto companies. Crypto Exchange in Uzbekistan...
South African Retailer Pick n Pay Now Accepting Payments via BTC at All Its Stores
3.2.2023
Pick n Pay, one of South Africa’s leading retailers, reportedly now accepts bitcoin as payment at all its stores across the country. Using the bitcoin lightning network, Pick n Pay’s customers can now buy items such as groceries, airtime and electricity tokens. Using BTC for Everyday...
Britain Announces Plans for ‘Robust’ Crypto Rules, Launches Consultation
1.2.2023
The U.K. has unveiled “ambitious plans” to “robustly regulate” various crypto activities, while seeking to protect customers and grow its economy. In the next three months, British authorities will accept public feedback on the new regulatory proposals designed to govern digital assets like...
Crypto Association in Turkey Vows to Block Exchanges That ‘Victimize Traders’
29.1.2023
A new organization has been established in Turkey with the aim to monitor and help develop the country’s crypto sector, local media reported. Its first task will be to address recent problems with some cryptocurrency exchanges and boost confidence in the industry as a whole. New Entity to Deal With...
White House Publishes ‘Roadmap’ to Mitigate Cryptocurrency Risks
29.1.2023
The White House has published a “roadmap to mitigate cryptocurrencies’ risks.” The roadmap calls for authorities to “ramp up enforcement where appropriate” and Congress “to step up its efforts” to regulate the crypto sector. It also notes that legislation...
US Lawmaker Outlines Priorities to Regulate Crypto and Make America the Place for Blockchain Innovation
28.1.2023
The chairman of a newly formed digital assets committee, U.S. Congressman French Hill, has outlined some priorities to regulate the crypto sector and ensure America is the place for fintech and blockchain innovation. “We want a regulatory framework that’s transparent for developers...
South African Dispute Resolution Office Says It Now Considers Crypto-Related Complaints
24.1.2023
According to South Africa’s Office of the FAIS Ombud, an independent dispute resolution office, individuals with crypto-related grievances that occurred after Oct. 19, 2022, can now formally submit such complaints on the agency’s website. However, the Office of the FAIS Ombud insisted...
Bank of America: ‘Digital Currencies Appear Inevitable’
22.1.2023
Bank of America says “digital currencies appear inevitable,” adding that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins are “a natural evolution of today’s monetary and payment systems.” The bank expects “private sector beneficiaries to emerge in...
Switzerland Less Affected by Crypto Industry Crisis, Study Finds
21.1.2023
While the global industry built around digital assets is losing funds and jobs are dropping off, Switzerland seems to be weathering the storm relatively well, one piece of research claims. In fact, more crypto companies settled in the country during the past turbulent year than those that left...
Davos 2023: CBDCs Are the Future of Central Bank Money but They Are Still Not Ready
21.1.2023
A World Economic Forum (WEF) panel comprised of central bankers and global tech providers has profiled central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) as the future of central bank money, presenting them as one of the solutions for limitations in the payments sector today. However, they have also stated...
Defi Lending Sector Experiences Major Shake-Up: 71% of Total Value Locked Evaporates in 12 Months
17.1.2023
Decentralized finance (defi) has continued to remain deeply ingrained in the cryptocurrency economy as the ecosystem provides users with a non-custodial way to exchange digital assets, lend cryptocurrencies, issue stablecoins, and ways to profit from arbitrage. In the lending sector of defi, a...
US Lawmakers Create ‘Congress’ First Ever’ Digital Assets Subcommittee
15.1.2023
U.S. Congress’ “first ever” subcommittee on digital assets has been created as part of the House Financial Services Committee. “We want to create a regulatory legal framework for digital assets … that makes America a leader from an innovation point of view but also protects...
Germany’s Financial Watchdog Warns of ‘Godfather’ Malware Attacks on Crypto Apps
12.1.2023
The agency overseeing the financial sector in Germany has issued a warning about the ‘Godfather’ malware attacking banking and crypto applications. Hundreds of these platforms have been targeted, the regulator noted, including those operating in the Bundesrepublik. Financial Authorities Advise...
The Fed Will Keep Focusing on Crypto — Fed Governor Says ‘We Do Not Want to Hinder Innovation’
12.1.2023
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman says while “cryptocurrency activities can pose significant risks,” the Fed does not want to “hinder innovation.” She added: “By inhibiting innovation, we could be pushing growth in this space into the non-bank sector, leading...
Fintechs Accounted for Over 30% of Tracked Kenyan Tech Startups in 2022 — Study
7.1.2023
As of November 2022, Kenyan fintechs accounted for 30.2% or 93 out of the 308 tracked tech startups, a Disrupt Africa study recently found. In addition, the study findings show that the fintech sub-sector alone accounted for 3,100 or 27% of the 11,462 people that were employed by tech startups...
US Regulators and the Fed Jointly Issue Crypto Warnings
5.1.2023
The Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) have jointly issued warnings about crypto risks to banking organizations. “The agencies have significant safety and soundness concerns with business models that...
Amid High Energy Demand From Miners, Russia Mulls Building New Power Plants in Siberia
1.1.2023
Growing electricity consumption in the crypto mining sector may require the construction of new power generation facilities in Siberia, the energy minister of Russia has acknowledged. Demand continues to increase in residential areas as well, after regional authorities abandoned a proposal...