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US Sanctions Russian Crypto Entities Following Potential Sanctions Evasions
26.3.2024
The U.S. has hit Russian crypto-related entities and individuals with additional sanctions following potential prior evasions aimed at funding the Putin-led country’s war against Ukraine, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) revealed Monday. The latest announcement from OFAC marks the second...
US Treasury Targets Russian Blockchain Companies for Sanctions Evasion
26.3.2024
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Monday sanctioned 13 entities and two individuals. They are accused of developing crypto-related services that could facilitate sanctions evasion on behalf of Russian nationals.
The post US Treasury Targets Russian...
UN Report: Crypto Crime Provided North Korea up to Half of Its Foreign Currency Income
23.3.2024
A report issued by a United Nations panel of experts has concluded that cyber crypto heists have provided 50% of the foreign currency income for North Korea since 2017. The report indicated that North Korean actors have been linked to 17 theft and hack events involving over $750 million in 2023...
North Korea’s Cyber Activities and Crypto Theft Fuel Half of Foreign Currency Revenue: UN
21.3.2024
North Korea has been actively involved in "malicious" cyber activities, contributing to nearly half of its foreign currency revenue and funding its weapons programs.
The post North Korea’s Cyber Activities and Crypto Theft Fuel Half of Foreign Currency Revenue: UN appeared first on Cryptonews
Court Orders Binance to Hand Over ‘Comprehensive’ User Data to Nigerian Authorities
20.3.2024
A Nigerian high court has ordered Binance to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with comprehensive data relating to all Nigerian traders on its platform. The EFCC alleges it has discovered instances of price discovery, confirmation, and market manipulation on the Binance...
China’s Central Bank Publishes Digital Yuan Guide for Foreign Visitors
18.3.2024
The People’s Bank of China publishes a digital yuan service guide for foreign visitors, detailing steps to download apps, open wallets, link accounts, and complete payments.
The post China’s Central Bank Publishes Digital Yuan Guide for Foreign Visitors appeared first on Cryptonews
Nigeria Proposes Rule Requiring Foreign Crypto Exchanges to Incorporate in the Country
17.3.2024
The Nigerian Securities Regulator has proposed a rule requiring virtual asset service providers to be incorporated and maintain an office within Nigeria. The regulator has also suggested a fivefold increase in the registration fee, which must be submitted alongside license applications from...
Economic Intelligence Unit: Nigerian Central Bank Lacks Capacity to Defend Local Currency
12.3.2024
The Economic Intelligence Unit has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria cannot halt the rapid depreciation of the local currency. The continued volatility of the naira is expected to result in erratic regulation, primarily affecting businesses that hold foreign exchange. Nigeria Presses Ahead...
Egypt Devalues Currency, Raises Interest Rates to Fulfill Key IMF Aid Requirement
8.3.2024
Authorities in Egypt recently allowed the local currency’s exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar to decrease by more than 60%. Additionally, the central bank raised interest rates by 600 basis points. Both steps were key conditions set by the IMF which Egypt had to meet before the approval of a...
Nigerian Users Criticize Binance for Imposing Exchange Rate Caps on USDT to Naira Transactions
22.2.2024
Some Nigeria-based users of Binance’s peer-to-peer platform have blasted the crypto exchange’s decision to block or remove traders quoting USDT to naira exchange rates exceeding NGN1,802. Binance says it has the right to remove “users behaving in a malicious or manipulative...
Nigeria’s Headline Inflation Increases as Central Bank Intensifies Foreign Exchange Controls
17.2.2024
In the first month of 2024, Nigeria’s headline inflation rose from nearly one percent to 29.9%. However, on a year-on-year basis, the January 2024 headline inflation rate was 8.08 percentage points higher than the January 2023 rate. Many commentators identify foreign exchange shortages as...
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...
Nigeria Forex Crisis: Central Bank Removes Cap on Exchange Rate for International Money Transfer Operators
4.2.2024
The Central Bank of Nigeria announced on Jan. 31 that it had removed caps on naira payout rates that international money transfer operators are allowed to quote. The central bank said the policy change is an effort aimed at further liberalizing the foreign exchange market. The naira’s Feb.1...
EU Regulator Proposes Stricter Rules for Foreign Crypto Firms
3.2.2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator, has proposed stricter rules for crypto firms based outside the EU, limiting their ability to directly serve customers within the bloc to ensure fair competition. ESMA Proposes Stricter Rules for Non-EU...
OFAC Blocks Venezuelan Gold Business, Warns About Upcoming Oil Sanctions
2.2.2024
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has revoked the license of Minerven, the Venezuela-owned gold company, for commercializing gold in international markets. The sanctions on Minerven, which were eased in October, will be applied again on February 13, with oil and gas sanctions reported...
Russia Open to the Use of Crypto in Foreign Trade Says Central Bank Governor
1.2.2024
The Russian Central Bank is discussing the possible use of central bank digital currencies as a payment method in foreign trade, according to Elvira Nabiullina, the bank’s governor. Nabiullina stated that while Russia is opposed to the use of crypto payments in domestic transactions, the country...
Nigerian Currency Plunges to New Low Versus the USD, Central Bank Governor Says Naira is ‘Undervalued’
28.1.2024
The Nigerian currency reportedly plunged to a new low versus the U.S. dollar on the official market on Jan.25. Central Bank governor Olayemi Cardoso has said the naira is currently “undervalued” and that efforts are underway to rectify this. Official and Parallel Market Exchange Rates...
US Treasury Announces New Sanctions Against Hamas-linked Crypto Companies
22.1.2024
The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has imposed new sanctions on facilitators and networks involved in crypto transactions linked to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. In an announcement posted on January 22, the Office of Foreign Assets Control...
Castle Funds’ COO Exclusive: Just Because Bitcoin ETFs Are Allowed Doesn’t Mean They’ll Succeed
22.1.2024
In an insightful interview with Cryptonews, Dan Hoover, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at investment firm Castle Funds, discussed several Bitcoin ETF-related topics. These include how valuable Bitcoin ETF trading volume information really is, what it takes for ETFs...
Coinbase’s CLO Criticizes U.S. GAO for Lack of Analysis on Crypto Sanctions Risk
22.1.2024
Coinbase‘s chief legal officer Paul Grewal has criticized the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) following its recent report describing crypto as a tool for foreign entities to evade sanctions. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), the Coinbase executive expressed...