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Estonia Issues First License to Crypto Service Provider Under New Regulation
25.9.2022
Estonia’s Financial Intelligence Unit has issued its first license to a crypto service provider under the country’s new regulatory framework that entered into force in March. “Striga Technology OÜ is the first entrepreneur, who is authorized for the first time to provide...
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...
Korean financial watchdog to block tens of unregistered exchange websites
18.8.2022
Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit is cracking down on foreign-based cryptocurrency exchanges that are yet to register with relevant authorities in the country
UAE Now Requires Agents to Report Real Estate Transactions Where Virtual Currency Is Used as Payment
12.8.2022
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said it now requires real estate agents, brokers, and law firms to report to the Financial Intelligence Unit real estate transactions in which virtual currency is used as payment. Similarly, real estate purchases or sales where “the funds used in...
Regulation of Cryptocurrency in South Africa Should Not Scare Away Investors Experts Say
30.7.2022
Two experts have said they welcome South Africa’s planned regulation of cryptocurrency but warned this should not scare away investors. If the regulation is balanced between the need to protect investors and stimulating interest in crypto investment, this “could see funds stream into...
South African Treasury on Crypto Regulations: Amendments to Relevant Laws to Be Finalized in 2022
26.2.2022
The South African Treasury says it expects the amendments to the country’s financial laws — that will see crypto asset service providers being included as accountable institutions — to be finalized in 2022. Aligning Local Laws With FATF Standards The South African Treasury...
‘Ponzi Schemes Have Created a Negative Reputation for the Industry’ — Uganda Blockchain Advocate
24.1.2022
Education and awareness campaigns are still viewed as important channels that draw people to cryptocurrencies and blockchain. This has been particularly true in some parts of Africa where bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are proving to be a useful alternative to fiat currency. Blockchain...
Estonia Clarifies Upcoming Regulations, Will Not Ban Crypto Holding or Trading
4.1.2022
The government of Estonia has approved legislation tailored to improve oversight of its crypto sector which expanded rapidly due to favorable regulations and business climate. The new law, which is yet to be adopted, will introduce stricter requirements for service providers without preventing...
Estonia Considers Revoking Crypto Licenses as Government Mulls Tougher Regulations
16.10.2021
Authorities in Estonia are working on new legislation expected to stiffen the rules for the country’s cryptocurrency sector. The Baltic nation’s regulator for the industry is considering whether to revoke previously issued crypto licenses and restart authorization from scratch....
10 Crypto Exchanges File for Registration With Korean Regulators Ahead of Deadline
24.9.2021
Cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea have until midnight on Friday to register with financial authorities in order to continue operating legally. Only 10 digital asset trading platforms have already submitted their documents to the Korean anti-money laundering body. Compliance Deadline for...
South African Exchange Sets New Crypto Withdrawal Limits — Restrictions ‘a Deterrent for Illicit Actors’
9.9.2021
One of South Africa’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, Luno, has confirmed that it has started restricting withdrawals by clients. The exchange insists the limits are meant to “act as a deterrent for illicit actors moving large amounts of funds within the crypto ecosystem.”...
After Warnings from South African Regulators Binance Rejects Accusations It Provides Financial Advice
5.9.2021
Beleaguered crypto exchange, Binance, has released a statement in which it denies accusations that provides financial advice or renders any intermediary services. In a statement released on Twitter less than 24 hours after the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)’s warning, the crypto...
Uganda Blockchain Association Endorses Calls for the Creation of Crypto Regulatory Framework
10.8.2021
Uganda’s blockchain community welcomes the recent call on authorities to create a cryptocurrency regulatory framework, a board member of the Blockchain Association of Uganda (BAU) has said. The member, Suleiman Murunga, explains that such a framework “will create investor confidence...
South Korean Regulators Warn Dozens of Foreign Exchanges to Comply With New Rules
22.7.2021
Overseas crypto exchanges marketing to Koreans will be blocked if they fail to comply with new South Korean regulations. The country’s anti-money laundering body has sent a notice to a number of foreign trading platforms warning them a registration is mandatory in order to provide services...
Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority Wants Government to Formulate a Crypto Regulatory Framework
25.5.2021
Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) says it wants the country’s Finance Ministry to help formulate a regulatory framework for crypto service providers. According to the FIA, this call for the government’s intervention has prompted by the Ugandan crypto industry’s...
Estonia’s Government Still Wants to Implement Stricter Rules for Licensing Crypto Firms
9.2.2021
The new administration in Estonia is still planning to pursue an agenda to tighten rules for companies dealing with cryptocurrencies. The Ministry of Finance is looking to strengthen anti-laundering measures within the context of a major money-laundering scandal that involved Danske Bank. Estonia...
Estonia Revokes More Than 1,000 Crypto Firms’ Licenses This Year
15.12.2020
Over 1,000 cryptocurrency firms’ licenses have been revoked in Estonia this year as the country tightens the oversight of the crypto industry amid heightened money-laundering concerns. 1,000+ Crypto Firms Lost Their Licenses This Year The Estonian Ministry of Finance revealed Friday that...
Banks in Mexico Pose Greater Money Laundering Risk Than Crypto Firms, Says Report
28.8.2020
Commercial banks by far pose the greatest risk of money laundering in Mexico compared to crypto-related companies, according to a new report by the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The study singles out what it calls the “G7 banking group”, which includes BBVA...
South Africa Proposes New Rules to Regulate Cryptocurrencies, Seeks Alignment With FATF Standards
15.7.2020
South Africa is proposing new rules around crypto-asset service providers (CASP) as it seeks to align regulations with standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The proposed rules are part of amendments to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) that are up for public comment....
Estonia Revokes 500 Crypto Firms’ Licenses After $220 Billion Money Laundering Scandal
13.6.2020
Estonia has canceled 500 cryptocurrency firms’ licenses, about 30% of the total, as part of a crackdown on illicit financial flows following a $220 billion money-laundering scandal involving Danske Bank. Regulators are concerned that bitcoin exchanges and other crypto companies might...