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Latam Insights: Argentina Reaches Zero Inflation, Central Bank of Bolivia Unbans Bitcoin
2.7.2024
Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue: Argentina reached zero inflation in food and beverages in June, the Central Bank of Bolivia unbans bitcoin, and several employees of the Paraguayan power...
North Carolina Passes Bill to Block State Participation in Federal CBDC Testing
29.6.2024
The General Assembly of the U.S. state of North Carolina has approved a bill that prevents the state from participating in the Federal Reserve’s testing of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The General Assembly is North Carolina’s legislative body, comprising two chambers:...
Central Bank of Bolivia Unbans Bitcoin From the Nation’s Financial Ecosystem
28.6.2024
The Central Bank of Bolivia has lifted a blanket ban on using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the national financial system, opening the doors for integrating exchanges and other crypto service providers into its economy. The institution derogated a 2020 resolution prohibiting financial...
Bolivia lifts ban on Bitcoin, authorizes crypto transactions via banks
28.6.2024
The change in regulatory stance marks the end of a ban on crypto use in the country that began in 2014
AI makes it even easier for governments to surveil you — Nym CEO
26.6.2024
Nym CEO Harry Halpin tells The Agenda podcast that artificial intelligence makes it easier than ever to conduct surveillance against activists and dissidents
UAE regulations may ban crypto payments, warns lawyer
26.6.2024
UAE lawyer Irina Heaver told Cointelegraph that the policy shift could signal a “less favorable environment” for crypto in the UAE
India’s Digital Rupee Usage Drops Drastically After Initial Surge
26.6.2024
India’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital rupee, has experienced a significant decline in usage, decreasing to a tenth of its peak in December 2023, according to sources involved in the pilot project. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initially reached 1 million daily retail...
ECB Publishes Digital Euro’s First Progress Report
26.6.2024
The European Central Bank (ECB) has published its first progress report on the digital euro preparation phase, highlighting key design features and ongoing developments. The report emphasizes high privacy standards for both online and offline payments, aiming to provide users with a cash-like level...
Digital Euro Holding Limit: Debate Continues
26.6.2024
The president of Germany’s central bank has highlighted the ongoing debate about the holding limit for the digital euro, Europe’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). He noted that recent Bundesbank research indicates that the optimal amount could be in the range of 1,500 to 2,500...
Iran Officially Unveils Central Bank Digital Currency Project
25.6.2024
Iran officially unveiled its central bank digital currency (CBDC) on Sunday during a ceremony attended by Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Governor Mohammad Reza Farzin and chief executives of several major banks. This digital currency, issued electronically by the central bank, aims to streamline...
Louisiana’s new crypto law protects node operators, bans CBDC
24.6.2024
The U.S. state of Louisiana has updated its legislation to ban the use of central bank digital currencies and to establish rules for digital asset miners and node operators
European Central Bank releases first CBDC progress update
24.6.2024
The ECB promised pseudonymization and independent audits of the CBDC system to calm consumer fears of tracking
Banking Sector Poses Highest Money Laundering Risk, Singapore’s Central Bank Says
24.6.2024
According to the Money Laundering Risk Assessment Report by Singapore’s central bank, the banking sector is identified as the highest money laundering risk to the country. The report also highlights risks related to digital assets and cryptocurrencies. To mitigate these risks, the Monetary...
Parfin Creates New Blockchain to Be Used as Privacy Solution for Brazilian CBDC
23.6.2024
Parfin, a financial technology company, has created a new blockchain system to be used as a privacy solution for the Brazilian CBDC, drex. Rayls, the new blockchain, will offer the possibility of operating in a permissioned way and also linking itself to other public blockchains using Rayls Public...
Iran Launches Digital Rial Pilot on Kish Island
21.6.2024
The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has announced the initiation of a pilot scheme to introduce the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) on the southern island of Kish. The CBI stated on Tuesday that the digital rial will be available to banking customers and tourists in Kish starting...
Ethiopia Approves CBDC Launch Draft Proclamation
20.6.2024
The Ethiopian Council of Ministers recently approved a draft proclamation that paves the way for the launch of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) stated that the draft considers rapid technological advancements and draws from the experiences of fellow...
IMF: CBDCs Can Boost Financial Inclusion and Payment Efficiency in Middle East
20.6.2024
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says 19 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, including Bahrain, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, are in the advanced “proof-of concept” stage for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). “We support policymakers evaluating...
Iran to launch public CBDC pilot in June
19.6.2024
Unlike other types of electronic money in Iran, the digital rial doesn’t require interbank settlement to transfer funds between the buyer and the seller
Ripple Working With 10 Governments Globally, CEO Reveals in Rediscovered Interview
19.6.2024
In a resurfaced video clip, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that his crypto firm is collaborating with around 10 governments globally on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). “A central bank digital currency is a stablecoin. It’s just issued by the government,”...
Ethiopia takes first step toward CBDC in economic reform
17.6.2024
The country plans to have a legal framework and regulatory sandbox in place for CBDC introduction “as necessary.”