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EU Countries Commence Crypto Regulations as Mandated by New Directive
11.1.2020
The European Union’s 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive mandates that member states start regulating crypto assets by Jan. 10. Crypto exchanges and custodial wallet providers are now covered by the same regulatory requirements as banks and other financial institutions. Also read: Regs...
European Crypto Firms Brace for Higher Costs as AMLD5 Takes Effect
10.1.2020
A strict new regulatory regime is dawning upon European firms handling cryptocurrency. Here’s what AMLD5 will mean for the industry
ECB Wants Active Role in Crypto, Will Not Deter Private Solutions
9.1.2020
The European Central Bank (ECB) wants to play an active role in the field of digital currency, said President Christine Lagarde. As the bank works on its own digital currency and an instant payment system, Lagarde emphasizes that “central bank initiatives should neither discourage nor crowd...
Major Spanish Bank Latest to Bring Blockchain Into European Finance
7.1.2020
Spain-based CaixaBank integrates We.trade, giving customers access to blockchain technology
European Central Bank’s CBDC Borrows Bitcoin’s Pseudo-Anonymity
20.12.2019
On December 17, the European Central Bank (ECB) published a report that showcased its blockchain technology proof-of-concept. One particular feature the central bank digital chain holds is the ability to issue “anonymity vouchers.” Also read: Lagarde Sees Demand for Stablecoins, Plans...
Bailouts From Asia to the EU Signal Recession and Potential Crypto Opportunity
19.12.2019
China’s Hengfeng Bank is set to get a $14.2 billion bailout from both Chinese government and foreign investors. An emergency decree has been approved to bail out southern Italy’s biggest lender, Banca Popular di Bari. Germany continues to struggle with bailout pains, as regional bank...
Fidelity Launching Crypto Services in Europe, Citing ‘Significant Interest’
18.12.2019
Fidelity Investments is expanding its crypto services to European clients after seeing increasing potential in this market. The expansion builds upon the company’s U.S. crypto business. “We’ve seen significant interest and engagement by the institutional community, which show...
‘Anonymity Vouchers’ Could Bring Limited Privacy to CBDCs: ECB Report
17.12.2019
Europe's central bankers have developed an "anonymity voucher" to give prospective CBDC users limited privacy in their retail transactions
Fidelity Aims for European Expansion, Launches UK Operations
17.12.2019
American mutual fund giant Fidelity is set to expand into Europe with a new UK-based branch.
Per an official announcement, the company’s crypto arm, Fidelity Digital Assets, will begin operating in Europe. Fidelity will also launch a new entity that will serve European institutions that invest...
Poles Hit With Backdated Tax on Crypto Trades
16.12.2019
Crypto traders in Poland have been unpleasantly surprised with a controversial tax they thought they wouldn’t have to pay. The Civil Law Transactions Tax (PCC) is applicable to digital asset trades conducted before the introduction of last year’s moratorium on its collection, the Polish...
Regulatory Roundup: Crypto ‘Inevitable’ in India, China Rankings, NY Streamlines Policy
16.12.2019
In this regulatory roundup, we cover a positive crypto story in India, China’s year-end rankings, and the European Central Bank entering the stablecoin race. We also cover the New York regulator’s proposed Bitlicense revision — the first in five years — and several other...
After BottlePay, Two More Crypto Firms Shut Down Due to Upcoming EU Rules
16.12.2019
Two EU-based crypto firms are shutting down because of the upcoming EU Anti-Money Laundering rules
German Banks Increasingly Charging Retail Clients Negative Interest Rates
16.12.2019
A growing number of banks in Germany are charging retail customers negative interest rates, starting with the very first euro deposited into their accounts. At least three German banks are reportedly doing so, with more expected to follow suit in the near future. As the European Central Bank...
European AML Directive Pushes Crypto Startup Bottle Pay Out of Business
15.12.2019
Bottle Pay, a cryptocurrency payments provider from the U.K., has announced its decision to cease operations by the end of the year. Despite attracting some serious funding and expanding its user base significantly in the past few months, the company has found it unacceptable to continue to work...
The Country With Europe’s Highest Interest Rate Has Cut It 5 Times This Year
14.12.2019
Around half of European countries, over 20, now have 0% interest rates and a few are already in negative territory. Ukraine, which has the highest benchmark interest rate on the continent, has just reduced it again, for the fifth time this year. The race between central banks to cut rates, when...
Bitcoin App Bottle Pay Shuts Down Over Impending EU Money-Laundering Laws
13.12.2019
Bottle Pay is shutting down, citing the EU's new AML rules, which could compel crypto wallet providers to collect KYC info from users starting next month
Lagarde Sees Demand for Stablecoins, Plans to Put ECB ‘Ahead of the Curve’
13.12.2019
At her first press conference as head of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde outlined her plans to lead the ECB “ahead of the curve” in the field of digital currency. “There is clearly a demand out there that we have to respond to,” she said, referring...
Italians Love Cash But Are Growing Fond of Crypto, New Stats Suggest
11.12.2019
Italy, one of the world’s largest economies, has faced plenty of financial challenges in the past decade. That’s probably one of the reasons why cryptocurrencies have been faring better there than in other European countries. Italians love cash but are also warming up to...
Crypto Gains New EU Stronghold as Sweden Approves Swiss ETP Startup
10.12.2019
Swiss crypto firm gets approval from Swedish authorities to offer its exchange-traded products to investors in the EU
Regulatory Roundup: Bitcoin Futures Fund Approved, India’s RBI-Backed Digital Currency
9.12.2019
In this regulatory roundup, we cover the U.S. SEC approving a bitcoin futures fund, the new IRS tax form targeting crypto owners, and several more steps taken by the U.S. government toward crypto regulation. We also cover India’s central bank digital currency plan, South Korea’s crypto...