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.
Exclusive: Blockpass COO, on the Significance of the FATF Travel Rule to VASPs
Personal identity is a fundamental human right according to Article 8 of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. Identity is crucial to a functioning society and economy, however, there are 1.1 billion people in the world that do not have proof of identity and 45% of them are among the poorest 20% around the world. For enterprises, customer data protection can be proven costly as 2.8 billion consumer data records were exposed at an estimated cost of more than $654 million in 2018.
South Korea Passes Comprehensive Law Officially Legalizing Cryptocurrency Trading And Holding
A day after India’s Supreme Court lifted the ban on cryptocurrencies, South Korea has followed in their footsteps as the nation’s National Assembly has amended the Act on Reporting and Use of Specific Financial Information. This move fully legalizes cryptocurrencies in South Korea.
UK’s Financial Watchdog Raises the Alarm on BitMEX Being Unauthorized
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK mandated with regulating financial markets and service firms in the nation has blown the whistle on Seychelles-based crypto exchange BitMEX for not being authorized.
India’s Supreme Court Turned the Tables on Crypto Ban in Landmark Ruling
In a momentous ruling, India’s Supreme Court has lifted the ban made by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the nation’s central bank, on banks and other regulated entities dealing with cryptocurrencies. The court noted that preventing regulated entities from offering banking services to crypto trading stakeholders did not hold any water.
German Financial Regulator Officially Classifies Cryptocurrencies as Financial Instruments
The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) released a new guideline on classifying cryptocurrencies as financial instruments. The BaFin has taken crypto classification one step further as the previous guidelines only covered security tokens.
First Crypto-Native Bank to be Launched in the United States by Former Wall Street Executive
Former Wall Street executive and blockchain laws advocate Caitlin Long has seized the opportunity to establish the first crypto-native bank in the United States. This opportunity came as an advantage as the Wyoming legislature has been progressive, and Long previously helped Wyoming to enact thirteen blockchain-enabling laws.
Hong Kong's Highest-Profile FinTech Consultant: Libra Puts CBDCs to the Top of the Central Banks' Agenda
Blockchain.News interviewed Arslanian at the Asian Financial Forum held in Hong Kong earlier this month, where he was invited to speak on the development of FinTech.
FinCEN Warns Social Media Companies Involved in Crypto to be Vigilant Regarding Illicit Transactions
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has urged social media and messaging companies that are working with on cryptocurrencies to be vigilant about illegal transactions.
UK’s Financial Regulator Seeks to Hire Crypto Specialist to Spearhead Digital Asset Regulations
UK’s financial regulator has posted a job listing for a potential candidate with strong crypto knowledge. The recruitment could be an indication that the agency is set to provide higher degree of regulatory scrutiny of digital assets and possible abuses.
Singapore Payment Services Act Now in Effect For Crypto Firms
The Monetary Authority of Singapore now requires cryptocurrency providers and exchanges to be licensed under some of the same regulatory elements as traditional financial service providers.
iComply on FATF Travel Rule: Cryptocurrency is Meant to be Trustless, Not Anonymous
iComply Investor Services (iComply) is a regulatory technology (Regtech) company focused on making financial markets more robust, secure, and efficient. We asked their CEO, Matthew Unger for his take on 2019 FATF Travel Rule Guidelines and find out what these recommendations really mean and how should exchanges or VASPs observe them?
Bitwise Pulls Bitcoin ETF To Sort Through SEC Response
Bitwise has officially withdrawn its Bitcoin exchange-traded fund registration filing from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
India Taking a Step Towards CBDC After the Debut of its Blockchain-Based Payment System Vajra?
India has been taking multiple stances when it comes to blockchain and cryptocurrencies, as cryptocurrency has not been deemed legal, but not it is not considered illegal either. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recently designed and adopted a blockchain-based system for automating payment clearing and settlement processes.
European Securities and Markets Authority Prioritizes Crypto-Related Regulation
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) announced its key priorities list for 2020-2022. In its published document “Strategic Orientation for 2020-22,” the ESMA reflected its focus on supervisory convergence and its role in building the Capital Markets Union.
US SEC Lists Priorities for Crypto Examination in 2020
The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) has published a list of its 2020 Examination Priorities and cites ongoing risks surrounding digital assets and their transfer agents for US retail investors.