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Argentine President Javier Milei Rules out Dollarization Process in 2024
8.2.2024
Javier Milei, the libertarian president of Argentina, has ruled out the possibility of applying his dollarization plan during 2024. In an interview with local media, Milei stated that while dollarization and the free convertibility of coins was the final goal of his administration, there was...
Ukraine Set to Freeze Citizens’ Bank Accounts Who Sidestep War Draft – Can Crypto Help?
8.2.2024
On February 7, the Ukrainian parliament approved the first reading of a bill to enforce stricter regulations for mobilizing recruits into the military. It also proposed freezing bank accounts for those attempting to evade the country’s war draft. This dramatic move highlights the gravity...
Kraken Obtains VASP Registration From Dutch Central Bank
8.2.2024
Crypto exchange Kraken was granted a virtual asset service provider (VASP) registration from the Dutch Central Bank today. Kraken announced the acquisition of its fourth European VASP license, which will make its services available to customers in the Netherlands. Another milestone in our European...
BIS Warns Against Unregulated Metaverse: A Call to Prevent Fragmentation and Corporate Control
8.2.2024
The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) has published a report calling on regulators to “future proof” themselves against the adverse effects of an unregulated metaverse on the digital economy. The 31-page report warns that future money and virtual environments run the risk...
New York Community Bancorp Counters Moody’s Junk Status, Asserts Strong Deposits
8.2.2024
Just one week following a dramatic plunge in New York Community Bancorp’s shares, which tumbled 40% in a single day at January’s close, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the bank’s credit rating to junk status. The bank’s troubles have ignited concerns over a potential...
RBI Governor Suggests Offline Initiatives to Drive Digital Rupee Adoption in Remote Areas
8.2.2024
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has suggested using offline solutions to boost the adoption of the central bank’s digital rupee in remote areas. The RBI will evaluate various offline solutions, including proximity and non-proximity-based options, in hilly, rural,...
Nigerian Currency Depreciation: Central Bank Head Reaffirms Commitment to Reviving Confidence in the Economy
8.2.2024
The Nigerian central bank remains committed to building confidence in the economy but that hinges on the implementation of “bold reforms” and residents’ help in easing pressure on the naira. However, critics have faulted the central bank’s policies including the devaluation...
Belarus CBDC ‘Will Let Nation Decentralize Cross-border Trade,’ 2026 Rollout Confirmed
8.2.2024
Belarus’ Central Bank thinks its new CBDC will let Minsk “decentralize cross-border trade,” and has earmarked a national rollout for 2026. Per ONT, the National Bank of Belarus (NBB)’s Deputy Head of Research and Strategic Development Mikhail Demidenko, said: “The [goal] is primarily...
Federal Reserve Ends Enforcement Action Against FTX-Connected Farmington State Bank
7.2.2024
The Federal Reserve terminated its enforcement action against Washington-based Farmington State Bank, previously known as Moonstone Bank and linked to FTX’s Alameda Research. Federal Reserve Terminates Enforcement Action of FTX-Linked Farmington Bank The Federal Reserve Board has officially...
European Markets Org Praises Bank of England On UK Stablecoin Rules
7.2.2024
Today, the Bank of England extended the deadline for citizens to provide feedback on its proposed regulatory regime for UK stablecoins from February 6 to February 12. The central bank’s discussion paper focused on rules for sterling-denominated stablecoins, which it believes are the most likely...
Vast Bank Withdraws From Cryptocurrency Sector, Shuts Down Mobile App
7.2.2024
Vast Bank, the U.S. financial institution that once offered customers the unique ability to manage cryptocurrencies alongside traditional banking, is exiting the digital asset space and shutting down its crypto mobile app in response to a consent order from the Office of the Comptroller of...
Belarus Sanctions ‘Antidote?’ Minsk Confirms ‘Blockchain-powered CBDC’ Launch
7.2.2024
Minsk is looking for ways to end Belarus’ sanctions woes, with its central bank confirming the planned launch of a blockchain-powered CBDC. Per Sputnik Belarus, the National Bank of Belarus (NBB) is keen to make use of smart contract technology. A spokesperson told reporters on February 3: “We plan...
FTX-linked Farmington State Bank Cleared from Federal Reserve Enforcement Action
6.2.2024
The Federal Reserve terminated an enforcement action with Farmington State Bank on February 6, announcing that the FTX-affiliated bank had “completed its wind-down plan and no longer functions as a bank.” “The Board’s enforcement action, which has been in effect since July 2023, ensured the bank’s...
The Big Misunderstanding: What MiCA Really Means for Stablecoins in Europe
6.2.2024
The EU's comprehensive crypto guidance does not introduce entirely new regulations for fiat backed stablecoins, former central banker Jón Egilsson writes. Instead it affirms existing rules that many current issuers are not yet following
Court Rules Against Crypto Mining Company, Won’t Force BC Hydro to Provide Power + More Crypto News
6.2.2024
Get your daily, bite-sized digest of blockchain and crypto news – investigating the stories flying under the radar of today’s news. In today’s edition: Court Rules Against Crypto Mining Company, Will Not Force BC Hydro to Provide Power YouHodler Gets Bank of Spain’s Virtual Asset Service...
Egypt Aims to Ease Pressure on Forex Reserves via $1 Billion Treasury Bill Auction
6.2.2024
Barely a month after raising $850 million from an auction of dollar-denominated treasury bills, the CBE was reportedly poised to raise $1 billion via similar instruments. The decision to hike overnight interest is said to be part of the central bank’s ongoing efforts to stabilize Egypt’s...
BitMEX Co-Founder Arthur Hayes Sees Bitcoin Price Hit $1 Million on Bank Bailouts
6.2.2024
BitMEX co-founder and former CEO Arthur Hayes earlier posted on X a scenario where he sees Bitcoin price touching $1 million. Hayes tweeted that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is saying US banks are strong to very strong, but NYCB (New York Community Bancorp) says otherwise. Who is right...
JPMorgan Warns of Increased Risk for Crypto Market Due to Tether’s ‘Lack of Regulatory Compliance and Transparency’
6.2.2024
JPMorgan has warned of increased risk for the crypto market resulting from Tether’s “lack of regulatory compliance and transparency.” The global investment bank’s analysts explained that other stablecoin issuers that have been more compliant with existing regulations...
Trump Calls CBDC a “Very Dangerous Thing,” Criticizes Artificial Intelligence
5.2.2024
Former president and leading Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump called the prospect of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) a “very dangerous thing” during a February 2 interview on Fox Business. Trump Doubles Down On Anti-CBDC Stance Fielding questions from Maria Bartiromo, Trump...
First U.S. Bank to Introduce Crypto Checking Accounts Reverses Course, Closes Crypto Banking Mobile App
5.2.2024
A bank claiming to be the first U.S. banking institution to allow its customers to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies “alongside a traditional checking account,” closed its mobile crypto app last week. In a FAQ posted on its website, Vast Bank said it was exiting the crypto industry and would...