israel
Crypto Firm Bits of Gold Obtains Capital Markets License from Israeli Regulator
Bits of Gold is the first crypto firm to receive this license, which will enable it to work with local banks and financial institutions.
Bank of Israel Issues Draft Regulations Regarding AML for Crypto Firms
The Bank of Israel has issued a new draft guideline to stakeholders in the cryptocurrency ecosystem as it relates to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) provisions.
Israeli Securities Regulator Seeks Crypto Legal Framework
ISA proposes digital asset regulation. Over 150 firms operate in Israel, and more investors are exposed to digital assets. Over the years, the authority has formed many committees to control cryptocurrency supply and encourage digital markets. It also requires digital asset issuers to publish a prospectus-like document before issuance or trade. After Israel's top economist urged for a more comprehensive regulatory framework to align trading platforms and crypto issuers.
Tether Intervenes on Terrorism Funding, Freezing 32 Cryptocurrency Addresses
Tether has frozen 32 cryptocurrency addresses tied to terrorism funding in Israel and Ukraine, manifesting the growing partnership between crypto firms and global law enforcement to combat digital-financed crime.
FinCEN Issues Alert to Counter Financing to Hamas and its Terrorist Activities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued an alert to financial institutions, urging vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activities related to the financing of the terrorist organization Hamas. The alert comes in the wake of a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which was funded through various means, including virtual currency.
US Treasury Targets Hamas Financial Networks Post-Israel Attack
In a strategic move following the recent terrorist attack on Israel, the US Treasury designated ten key individuals and entities affiliated with Hamas, targeting their financial networks across several countries. This action accentuates the broader US initiative to choke off Hamas’s financial resources, while spotlighting the emerging challenges posed by virtual currencies in terror financing.
Hong Kong and Israel Central Banks Collaborate on Retail CBDC Prototype
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Bank of Israel (BOI) have collaborated on a report titled "Project Sela – An accessible and secure retail CBDC ecosystem". The project aims to create a retail central bank digital currency framework that encourages competition and innovation in digital payments.
Elliptic Debunks Claims of Substantial Crypto Funding to Hamas
Elliptic, a blockchain analytics firm, refuted claims of significant cryptocurrency funding to Hamas, following a wave of reports and a letter from US lawmakers to the White House. The firm highlighted the lack of substantial evidence supporting the alleged $130 million crypto funding between August 2021 and June 2023. Despite historical endeavors by Hamas to solicit crypto donations, recent analysis reveals that the amounts garnered remain minuscule compared to the figures cited in misinformed reports.
Japan Freezes Assets Linked to Hamas Funding
Japan has frozen the assets of nine individuals and a cryptocurrency firm accused of financing Hamas, following US sanctions. This move is part of a global effort to disrupt militant group financing channels, focusing on the challenges of virtual currencies in facilitating illicit financial flows.
The Development of Blockchain Chips
The new "fully homomorphic encryption" chip will let users operate on data without decrypting it.
Coinbase Legal Chief Urges Swift US Crypto Legislation Amid Israel-Hamas Tensions
Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, emphasized the importance of preventing cryptocurrency misuse and advocated for sensible crypto legislation in the US amidst geopolitical unrest involving Israel and Hamas. Grewal highlighted Coinbase's proactive measures like KYC checks and law enforcement partnerships to curb illicit activities on its platform. The discourse also spurred reactions from the crypto community regarding asset seizures and the role of other crypto exchanges like Binance.
Israeli Central Bank Official Embraces CBDC Competition with Banks for Economic Growth
In a recent speech, Bank of Israel Deputy Governor Andrew Abir expressed his support for the competition between commercial banks and the forthcoming Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) known as the digital shekel. Abir believes that the digital shekel has the potential to enhance competition in the financial system and benefit the economy as a whole.
Scammers Target Australians in Cryptocurrency Call Center Scheme
An Israeli-run cryptocurrency fraud targets Australians, according to a raid on Eastern European scam call centers.
Bank of Israel Has Conducted Digital Currency Shekel Crypto Testing
Israel announced that the country has already conducted a pilot test on its digital shekel as part of its efforts to issue the Central Bank Digital Currency for public use.
BIS Launches Project Icebreaker with Central Banks to Explore CBDC
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has rolled out Project Icebreaker with the central banks of Sweden, Norway, and Israel to see how CBDCs can be utilized for international remittance and retail payments.
The Bank of Israel to Accelerate Its CBDC Research for a Digital Shekel
The Bank of Israel is accelerating its CBDC research.
HKMA Announces Joint Research with Bank of Israel, BISIH for Retail CBDC
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced joint research with the Bank of Israel and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub Hong Kong Centre for retail CBDC.
Hackers Demand $1 Million in Bitcoin Ransom After Hacking Computer Systems of Insurance Firm
Israeli’s largest insurance company fell victim to hackers this week and must pay huge amounts of funds in cryptocurrency to regain access to its data.
Burnt Ether Tops $2B as Ethereum 2.0 Deposit Contract Continues to Grow
Burnt Ether stands at 608,567 ETH worth $2.089 billion since the London Hardfork or EIP 1559 upgrade went live on August 5.
Coinbase Acquires Cryptographic Security Company Unbound, Strengthening Presence in Israel
Coinbase has made another strategic acquisition to expand its business capabilities. The exchange is joining forces with the Unbound team to offer an even better value proposition to the Unbound customers in Israel.
Israel Incoming President Receives NFT Souvenir from his Father
Israel newly-inaugurated President Issac Herzog receives his gift of an NFT-formed oath archive from the parliament, signed by his father and the former president.
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange To Launch Blockchain Based Securities Lending Platform
Israel’s only stock exchange, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) is on course to launch a blockchain-based platform for securities lending in the country
Leumi to Become 1st Israeli Bank Facilitating Crypto Trade
Bank Leumi's digital platform Pepper Invest announced that the bank is set to become the first Israeli bank to facilitate cryptocurrency trading - following a partnership with US blockchain firm Paxos.
Israeli Pension Firm Generates Huge Profit from $100 Million Investment in Bitcoin
Altshuler Shaham, the biggest pension company in Israel, has announced that it invested $100 million in Bitcoin at the end of December last year- With Bitcoin's appreciation, the investment has grown and become $200 million.
Blockchain Startup Developed Solution to Crypto's Irreversible Transaction Problem
An Israeli startup has developed a new technology that could prevent the loss of funds caused by human error when sending Bitcoins or other digital assets. The mistake is common as wallet addresses are represented by a unique and random string of alphanumeric characters.
PayPal Officially Confirms that It is Acquiring Crypto Custody Firm Curv
PayPal Inc. has officially confirmed its plans to acquire the crypto startup company Curv.
Gemini Exchange Inks Deal with Samsung to Boost Crypto Adoption
Gemini, a leading American crypto exchange, has struck a deal with tech giant Samsung Electronics to bring crypto closer to Samsung Blockchain Wallet users in Canada and the United States. This integration will make users connected to the Gemini mobile app where they can buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies.
Russia’s E-Voting Blockchain Platform Attacked
Russia’s blockchain e-voting platform for Vladimir Putin’s proposed Constitutional amendments reportedly suffered a node attack last weekend. The proposal is passed will allow Putin to serve as President until 2036.
SEC Finalizes Lawsuit Against the Founder and CEO of Fraudulent ICO
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revealed that it has received a final judgment in a US district court action against Eran Eyal, the CEO and founder of Shopin token offering for carrying out an allegedly fraudulent ICO.
EToro Boosts Insurance Cover-Up to £1 Million, but Crypto Investments Excluded
eToro has unveiled a new insurance plan that will cover up to 1 million euro for customers, but cryptoassets are excluded from the policy.
Binance Continues to Show Support for Measures Against the Coronavirus
With over a month gone since the outbreak of the now dreaded coronavirus, charity organizations, social groups have been credited with the progress being made to contain the spread of the disease.
Samsung Collaborates with Israel’s Credorax On Automated Blockchain Platform For Merchants
Samsung SDS has signed an agreement with Israel’s fintech startup Credorax to build payment solutions to serve European merchants and banks.
French Football Star Mbappe Seeks out Crypto Scammers Trying to Score off The PSG Striker's Reputation
Kylian Mbappe PSG star launches lawsuit over Bitcoin scammers who are allegedly using his name and image to convince investors to buy-in.
RippleNet Expands Access to Cross-Border Payments in the Asian Market with Thai FinTech Partnership
Thailand-based fintech company DeeMoney has joined RippleNet to process more efficient money transfers with competitive rates and low fees for all of Asia.
AIBC gets back to business with limited free early bird tickets
Malta AIBC Summit 2020 will take place November 18th – 19th, 2020 at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali. Positioned at the cutting edge of a very competitive industry, the event has evolved since 2018 into one of the world’s leading events for blockchain and emerging tech, operating on both a European and world stage. In 2019, Malta AIBC Summit welcomed over 12,000 attendees from over 80 countries, and in 2020 this favourite in the global emerging technology event calendar is set to continue growing.