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Hong Kong Uncertain on e-HKD Issuance, Says Retail CBDC Needs More Study
30.10.2023
As financial institutions worldwide explore the adoption of digital currencies, Hong Kong’s stance on its own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), known as e-HKD, remains cautious. A recently published report by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) highlights both the opportunities...
Standard Chartered-Backed Crypto Custody Zodia Launches in Hong Kong
30.10.2023
Zodia Custody, the crypto security firm owned by British banking giant Standard Chartered, is expanding its services to Hong Kong. Zodia Custody’s foray into Hong Kong marks its latest stride into the Asia-Pacific region after announcing plans to expand into Singapore last month. Established...
Binance Appoints New Regional Head for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
28.10.2023
Binance’s General Manager for Central and Eastern Europe, Kyrylo Khomiakov, will take responsibility for Central Asia as well. His promotion comes after the crypto exchange’s top executives in the region left the company last month, part of a string of executive exits at Binance this year. Kyrylo...
12th Africa Bank 4.0 Summit – SADC Region: Upscaling digital financial services and payments
26.10.2023
12th Africa Bank 4.0 Summit – SADC Region is all set to be hosted on November 15 & 16, 2023, at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton – Johannesburg, with the conference theme focused on “Upscaling Digital Financial Services and Payments: Innovative, Agile, Accessible, Affordable”....
North America Is Largest Crypto Market Despite Regulatory Uncertainty, Chainalysis Reports
25.10.2023
North America leads in terms of cryptocurrency usage despite the ongoing regulatory uncertainty, blockchain forensics firm Chainalysis revealed. Meanwhile, stablecoin-related activity has been decreasing with users shifting away from U.S.-based services. The region’s share in decentralized finance...
Egypt Becomes First MENA Country to Issue Chinese Yuan-Denominated Bonds
24.10.2023
Eygpt has reportedly become the first Middle East North Africa (MENA) region country to issue so-called “panda bonds” after it issued Chinese yuan denominated bonds worth $479 million. Issuing panda bonds marks another step in Egypt’s attempts to move away from costly dollar...
Hong Kong Regulators Restrict Retail Investor Access to ‘Complex’ Crypto Products
23.10.2023
The securities regulator and the central banking institution of Hong Kong have updated the region’s crypto policy in response to enquiries from the industry. In a circular on the virtual asset-related activities of intermediaries, the authorities introduced additional measures to protect retail...
Bitcoin, Ethereum Technical Analysis: BTC, ETH Marginally Lower as Traders Secure This Week’s Profits
21.10.2023
Bitcoin traded around the $30,000 region to start the weekend, as markets remained optimistic that an ETF approval could be looming. This has been the topic of the week, with many speculating how high crypto markets could surge on such potential news. Ethereum slipped from Friday’s peak....
Bitcoin, Ethereum Technical Analysis: BTC Bulls Secure Gains, Following a Recent Multi-Month High
18.10.2023
Bitcoin stalled in today’s session, as traders consolidated gains, following a recent two-month high. The global market cap is trading 0.01% lower as of writing, with the cryptocurrency remaining above the $28,000 level. Ethereum has been marginally higher, and continues to hover around...
China Opens Digital Yuan Park in Shenzhen
14.10.2023
Shenzhen has become home to an industrial park established to promote China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). Several financial companies are already settling there, the Chinese megacity announced while unveiling almost a dozen initiatives to boost the digital yuan use in the region. Shenzhen...
Biggest Movers: DOGE Higher on Wednesday, After Falling to Recent 7-Week Low
11.10.2023
Dogecoin was marginally higher on Wednesday, after moving back above a recent support point during today’s session. The meme coin fell to a seven-week low on Monday, however bulls have moved to buy the dip. Toncoin was another token to rise, reentering the $2.00 region in the process. Dogecoin...
Bitstamp Courts European Banks as Region's Incoming Crypto Rules Boost Confidence
9.10.2023
The longest-running crypto exchange says three European banks are in talks about offering crypto services – a stark contrast to the U.S., where firms are wary amid a regulatory crackdown
South African Crypto Exchange Valr Receives ‘Initial Approval’ From Dubai Virtual Assets Regulator
5.10.2023
Valr, the South Africa-based crypto exchange, recently said it had won initial approval from the Dubai virtual assets regulator. The crypto exchange’s Head of Growth, Blake Player, said Valr has been attracted by the Middle East region’s significant crypto flows and in particular Dubai’s growing...
Hashgraph Association in Blockchain Adoption Drive Partnership With Tunisia-Based Dar Blockchain
30.9.2023
The Hashgraph Association and Dar Blockchain recently said they will be working “to nurture projects, facilitate growth, and profoundly shape the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) technology landscape.” The two entities said they hope to achieve the set objectives via meetups...
Hong Kong Securities Regulator Says It Now Publishes Names of Entities Seeking Crypto Trading Licences
26.9.2023
The Hong Kong securities regulator has said it now publishes a list of firms seeking to operate crypto trading platforms in the region. Julia Leung Fung-yee, the CEO of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), said divulging the names of applicants is intended to help placate an investing...
Hong Kong Regulator Says Crypto Firms Claiming to Be Banks Are in Contravention of Banking Ordinance
21.9.2023
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said on Sept. 10 that crypto firms presenting themselves as banks are in contravention of the region’s Banking Ordinance. The HKMA argued such descriptions “may mislead members of the public into believing that those crypto firms” are financial...
India, Nigeria, Vietnam Lead Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index
14.9.2023
Blockchain data analytics firm Chainalysis has finalized its latest Global Crypto Adoption Index. India, Nigeria, and Vietnam hold the top three positions, followed by the U.S., Ukraine, Philippines, and Indonesia. “The Central & Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) region dominates the...
Islamic Coin in Pact With CoinDesk Indices to Discuss Sharia-Compliant Benchmarks
14.9.2023
Islamic Coin is the native currency of HAQQ, a network focused on developing a Shariah-compliant financial ecosystem
CoinDesk Indices Expands Into APAC Region in Deal With ICE Futures Singapore
13.9.2023
ICE Futures Singapore's bitcoin futures contracts will now be known as CoinDesk Bitcoin Futures contracts
Report: More Than 50 Virtual Currency Platform Operators Want to Join the Taiwan Market
12.9.2023
About 52 virtual currency operators have shown interest in joining Taiwan’s financial market, the Financial Supervisory Commission has said. The commission also said that it is planning to announce the region’s first virtual asset management guiding principles sometime in September....