REGULATION
Cryptocurrencies are not issued by a monetary authority, are not controlled or regulated and their price is determined by the supply and demand of their market.
European Union Introduces Comprehensive Crypto Law
The European Union has introduced a new crypto licensing regime called Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), making it the first major jurisdiction in the world to introduce a comprehensive crypto law. The EU also voted in favor of a Transfer of Funds regulation that requires crypto operators to identify their customers in a bid to halt money laundering.
US House Committee to Discuss Stablecoin Regulation
The US House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services will conduct a hearing on stablecoin regulation on April 19th, following the introduction of a draft bill on stablecoin regulation. The hearing will include testimonies from experts, including Austin Campbell, a managing partner at Zero Knowledge Consulting and adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, who believes stablecoins will expand the reach of the US dollar and increase financial inclusion.
NYDFS to Assess Supervisory Costs from Licensed Crypto Firms
The NYDFS will assess supervisory costs from licensed crypto firms in the state of New York to add top talent to its virtual currency team. This new regulation provides the Department with additional tools and resources to regulate the virtual currency industry.
US House Committee Chair Criticizes SEC on Digital Assets
US House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry criticized the SEC’s approach to digital assets at an oversight hearing, demanding clear rules for crypto through legislation and pressing SEC Chair Gary Gensler for a definitive answer on whether Ether qualified as a security or a commodity.
BlackStar Seeks SEC Registration for On-Chain Stock Trading
BlackStar Enterprise Group plans to conduct over-the-counter stock trading on-chain and has sought registration with the SEC after two years of development and regulatory communication.
US Draft Bill Proposes Framework for Stablecoins
A new draft bill has been published in the United States proposing a regulatory framework for stablecoins. The bill would put the Federal Reserve in charge of non-bank stablecoin issuers, such as Tether and Circle. Insured depository institutions seeking to issue stablecoins would fall under federal banking agency supervision. The bill also includes a ban on issuing stablecoins not backed by tangible assets and proposes a study on "endogenously collateralized stablecoins."
Hong Kong Embraces Web3 Despite Crypto Market Volatility
Hong Kong's financial secretary, Paul Chan, has emphasized the need for the city to embrace Web3 technology, despite the fluctuations in the crypto market. Chan has proposed a strategy that focuses on proper regulation and promoting development to facilitate Web3's steady growth. He also noted that Hong Kong plans to prioritize financial security, prevent systemic risks, and focus on investor education and protection. The region's approach to crypto regulation contrasts with that of the United States, which has adopted a more hardline response to the industry.
Arkansas passes Bitcoin mining regulation bill
Arkansas has passed a bill to regulate Bitcoin mining activity in the state, protecting miners from discriminatory regulations and taxes. Digital asset miners must pay applicable taxes and operate without causing stress to public utility generation capabilities. The move follows a similar initiative in Montana and New York's proof-of-work mining moratorium.
IOSCO to Consult on Crypto Regulation
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) plans to launch a consultation for its crypto asset regulation report in Q2 2023. The final recommendations are expected to be published by the end of 2023, with separate workflows dedicated to crypto assets and decentralized finance.
Bitcoin Liquidity Drops Despite Price Surge
Despite a 45% price gain, Bitcoin's liquidity has dropped to a 10-month low due to the ongoing financial crisis and regulatory actions against crypto companies. The collapse of crypto-friendly banks has led to a liquidity crisis, causing increased price volatility and higher fees for traders.
Japan's FSA Warns Binance and Others for Operating Without Registration
Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) has warned several foreign cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, of conducting business in the country without proper registration, violating the nation's fund settlement laws. The FSA has been cracking down on unregistered crypto exchanges since 2020, and this warning signifies that the cryptocurrency industry in Japan and other nations is facing greater regulatory scrutiny.
Stablecoin Depeg Event Reveals Risks to DeFi and Traditional Finance
Recent failures of established financial institutions, such as Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, have highlighted the potential for distress to spread to the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. The depegging of stablecoins, including Circle's USD coin (USDC), has also brought governance risks related to the custody of reserve assets to the forefront. Moody's anticipates that regulators could increase their scrutiny of stablecoins and require greater counterparty diversification.
US Crypto Crackdown Could Push Industry to Hong Kong
Paris-based Kaiko's CEO, Ambre Soubiran, has suggested that the recent US crackdown on cryptocurrency regulation could lead to a shift in the industry's center of gravity towards Hong Kong, which has been more favorable towards crypto. The Hong Kong government has been rolling out progressive regulation to support crypto and fintech firms in 2023, with over 80 virtual asset-related firms expressing interest in setting up shop there.
Bermuda Remains Committed to Crypto Despite FTX Collapse
Bermuda's Premier and Finance Minister, Edward Burt, stated that despite the collapse of crypto exchange FTX in nearby Bahamas, Bermuda will continue to accommodate digital asset and blockchain technology companies due to the benefits they offer. The territory, which implemented a regulatory framework for digital assets, recently released its first stablecoin powered by the Polygon blockchain.
Regulated Stablecoins Likely to Remain in Use by 2030
A panel of digital regulatory experts at the World of Web3 (WOW) Summit in Hong Kong discussed the future of regulated stablecoins. The group concluded that regulated stablecoins are likely to remain in use by 2030 and that their growth rate in the market supports this idea. The panelists acknowledged the growth of the crypto industry and emphasized the importance of both centralized and decentralized approaches to digital assets.
