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The Number of Entities Using Bitcoin to Store Arbitrary Data Has Declined
30.4.2022
Three years ago there were a lot of discussions concerning data embedded in bitcoin transactions and the block size space consumed by these OP_Return transactions. However, in recent times, the use of OP_Return transactions has dropped a great deal and the trend has lowered network fees to some...
Crypto Businesses Ask 27 EU Finance Ministers to Loosen Disclosure Requirements
23.4.2022
Forty-six European crypto businesses and organizations have asked finance ministers in 27 European countries to loosen some regulatory requirements for the crypto industry. For example, they asked for decentralized finance (defi) projects to be excluded from the requirements to register as legal...
US Sanctions Bitriver, Targets Russia’s Crypto Mining Potential
21.4.2022
In an attempt to deny Russia opportunities to evade sanctions through cryptocurrencies, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned leading Russian mining firm Bitriver. The move comes amid concerns that Moscow may use the minting of digital coins to monetize its energy resources. Zug-Based...
Argentinian Securities Regulator Launches Innovation Hub to Discuss Regulated Crypto Investments
18.4.2022
The National Securities Commission (CNV), which is the Argentinian securities watchdog, recently launched an innovation hub with the goal of advancing conversations about cryptocurrency and fintech investments. This organization will serve as a link between private entities and the institution,...
EU Bans High-Value Crypto Services to Russia in New Round of Sanctions
10.4.2022
European institutions are closing crypto loopholes for Russia with the latest package of penalties imposed by the EU over Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine. The new sanctions prohibit the provision of “high-value” crypto-asset services to Russian entities and residents....
Kazakhstan Auditors Go After Crypto Miners Accused of Exploiting Tax Benefits
3.4.2022
Authorities in Kazakhstan have found several businesses minting digital currencies that took advantage of tax cuts they were allegedly not supposed to benefit from. Auditors said the crypto firms registered as “innovative companies,” to receive millions of dollars in tax preferences....
Study: 10% Growth in Crypto Market Cap Reduces Value of African Firms by 0.76%
2.4.2022
A study undertaken by two assistant professors at American University in Cairo (AUC) has suggested that an increase of 10% in the crypto market cap causes the market value of “African micro-entities” to drop by 0.76%. Crypto Market Growth Hurts Less Competitive Sectors According...
Report: Sudan Rejects Russian Illicit Gold Smuggling Allegations
14.3.2022
Sudan has denied claims Russian entities have smuggled hundreds of tonnes of illicit gold from its territory. Officials have called the allegations fake news and suggested that Sudan is in fact looking to revive its economy through gold mining. The Rise in Russia’s Gold Holdings The Sudanese...
Privacy Crypto Assets XMR, ZEC See Double-Digit Gains Amid Tightened Global Economy
13.3.2022
Over the last week, the United States and president Joe Biden’s administration tightened sanctions against Russia a great deal. The U.S. banned Russian energy imports, a number of other types of imported goods, and a series of harsh financial sanctions against Russia. In the midst of...
Chainalysis Launches Screening Tools Designed to Prevent Sanctions Evasion
11.3.2022
Blockchain forensics company Chainalysis is launching two tools that will allow crypto companies to deny sanctioned persons and entities access to their platforms. The move comes amid concerns that Russia may use cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine....
Report: Estonian Prime Minister Calls for Restriction of Cryptocurrencies
10.3.2022
The Prime Minister of Estonia has said cryptocurrencies must be restricted in order to address loopholes that may be used by sanctioned Russian entities to evade the punitive measures. In addition, the premier wants all Russian as well as Belarusian banks to be removed from the global payment...
Coinbase Blacklists Over 25,000 Crypto Addresses Tied to Russian Individuals and Entities
7.3.2022
The cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has addressed the company’s procedures toward complying with sanctions in a blog post published on Sunday. The crypto firm says that respecting sanctions plays a “vital role in promoting national security” and the acts can help deter...
Report: LBMA Asks 6 Russian Gold Refiners if They Have Ties to Sanctioned Entities
7.3.2022
The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) said it wants six accredited Russian gold refiners to clarify if they have commercial ties with sanctioned Russian entities. The association’s request comes a few days after it revoked the membership of three sanctioned Russian banks. LBMA...
Report: Official Says Switzerland May ‘Target’ Crypto Assets Belonging to Sanctioned Russians
7.3.2022
Neutral Switzerland may target crypto assets within its territory that belong to sanctioned Russian entities, a report has said. The report quotes an official who explains that the move is designed to protect the integrity of the country’s cryptocurrency industry. The official, however...
Japan Looks to Stop Sanctioned Russian Entities From Transferring Crypto Assets
6.3.2022
As financial authorities around the world continue to target sanctioned Russian entities, regulators in Japan along with the country’s crypto association are attempting to find and close gaps that may be used to circumvent sanctions. The two bodies, however, have said they are not discussing...
Russia May ‘Nationalize’ Foreign Assets in Response to Western Sanctions, Medvedev Says
27.2.2022
Authorities in Russia may begin to seize funds of foreign nationals and companies that are in the country, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has indicated. His warning comes as the West continues to expend penalties imposed on Moscow over its military invasion of neighboring Ukraine....
Chainalysis Study Shows ‘Criminal Whales’ Hold $25B in Digital Assets, Entities Represent 3.7% of All Crypto Whales
24.2.2022
According to research published by Chainalysis, criminal entities hold more than $25 billion in cryptocurrencies. The blockchain intelligence firm’s study shows that there was a significant increase in crypto balances held by criminals in 2021 as the metric jumped by 266% since the year...
The Republic of the Marshall Islands Allows Registration of DAOs as Legal Entities
17.2.2022
The Republic of the Marshall Islands has announced it will allow decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to become legal entities. At the time of writing, only one DAO has successfully incorporated in the country. DAOs Will Be Allowed to Register as Legal Entities The Republic of the Marshall...
Marshall Islands officially recognizes DAOs as legal entities
15.2.2022
The Pacific Island state, long keen to adopt blockchain technology, recognizes decentralized autonomous organizations, or DAOs
China Designates 15 National Pilot Zones and 164 Entities for Blockchain Projects
3.2.2022
The Chinese government has established 15 pilot zones and 164 entities for blockchain projects. “Projects will be carried out in various fields such as manufacturing, energy, government and tax services, law, education, health, trade and finance, and cross border finance.” China...