Regulation

The director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) says the cryptocurrency industry has begun to fall in line with the agency’s regulations on money transmission services. In a speech delivered at the American Bankers Association/American Bar Association Financial Crimes Enforcement Conference on Dec. 10, Kenneth A. Blanco claimed that FinCEN’s May 2019 guidance was

The South Korean government plans to tax capital gains on cryptocurrency transactions. A Dec. 9 report from The Korea Times reveals that a revised bill to introduce the measure will be drawn up by the country’s Ministry of Economy and Finance by the first half of 2020. In parallel, the Korean National Assembly is in

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asked the High Court of England and Wales to force Telegram’s former chief investment advisor John Hyman to testify in the case over the firm’s Grams tokens offering. Industry news outlet Coindesk reported on Dec. 7 that the SEC’s request was revealed by documents filed by the

Earlier this week, decentralized cryptocurrency exchange CryptoBridge abruptly announced that it was shutting shop, leaving just two weeks for its customers to retrieve their funds. Around the same time, the Waves DEX also shut down to resume operations as a hybrid exchange. While Waves ostensibly decided to “merge all the infrastructure teams” together and focus

By 2030, the demand for alternative currencies will rise, with digital currencies eventually replacing cash, according to recent research from Deutsche Bank. In the “Imagine 2030” report, Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid raised awareness of the challenges the existing fiat system has encountered in recent years, specifically with the emergence of cryptocurrencies. Reid stipulated that

A panel of senior financial regulators in the United States has warned the public about the purported risks of stablecoins and cryptocurrencies.  A report issued on Dec. 4 by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) highlighted potential problems resulting from stablecoins gaining wider recognition. The FSOC was set up in 2008 to combat risks to

A new bill in Germany could enable banks to support the sale and custody of Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies by 2020. German news agency Handelsblatt reported on Nov. 27 that the bill now requires consensus from the country’s 16 states, having successfully passed through the Bundestag, the German federal parliament. Germany on its way

A California federal court has affirmed the validity of the United States Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) request for data from crypto exchange Bitstamp in connection with an individual tax reporting case. Per a Nov. 25 filing, the court has found that five of the six arguments presented against the IRS “lack merit,” but has conceded

In January 2020, the regulatory landscape for crypto businesses will completely change in the European Union in comparison with the last decade — and these changes will touch all those who store clients’ crypto funds or provide fiat-to-crypto exchange services, at minimum. Not long ago, the Anti-Money Laundering regulations were extended to cover cryptocurrency custodian

Russia is allegedly preparing a ban on the use of cryptocurrencies to pay for goods and services. A report from Izvestia on Nov. 29 cites several sources allegedly familiar with ongoing discussions at the country’s central bank, financial regulator and Ministry of Finance in support of a ban. Legal measures not yet officially confirmed At

At least five Chinese cryptocurrency exchanges have halted or chosen to terminate operations this month in response to a perceived redoubling of Beijing’s anti-crypto stance. Exchange operator Bitsoda informed the public on Nov. 23 of its decision to terminate services; Akdex followed suit, announcing its decision to shut down on Nov. 24.  Also on Nov.

On Nov. 27, major South Korean cryptocurrency exchange UpBit announced that 342,000 Ether (ETH), accounting for roughly $50 million, were stolen from its hot wallet earlier that day. Details remain vague, and some users are suggesting an inside job, although experts are skeptical of the theory after analyzing the incident. The platform’s operator has promised

Blockchain researchers at online brokerage eToro have argued that Facebook should look to support third-party stablecoins, not Libra. According to a Nov. 28 report from Finextra, eToro’s blockchain research unit eToroX Labs believes that while Facebook’s crypto project offers a “trailblazing opportunity” to disrupt financial services worldwide, the social media giant needs to change its

A Ukrainian government official said that United States cryptocurrency exchange Bittrex sought to collaborate with the Ukrainian government on developing the country’s cryptocurrency industry. In a Nov. 20 interview with domestic blockchain media outlet ForkLog,. Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Alexander Bornyakov claimed that Bittrex contacted the Ukrainian government to this end. Referring to Ukraine’s

Cryptocurrency exchange BitBay will delist privacy-centric cryptocurrency Monero (XMR) due to money laundering concerns. The exchange announced the decision on Nov. 25, noting that the delisting will take place on Feb. 19, 2020. The exchange explained its decision “Monero (XMR) can selectively utilize anonymity features among projects. This feature of XMR is a subject to

Grayscale’s Michael Sonnenshein contends that the asset manager’s recent Form 10 filing with American regulators would be “a milestone” for the crypto industry if it’s approved. Sonnenshein — managing director at the world’s largest digital asset manager, Grayscale Investments — made his remarks during an interview with CNBC on Nov. 20. Hedge funds after digital

London has long been one of the world’s most prominent financial hubs. But as the United Kingdom delves further into an uncertain period of political instability that could radically alter the very identity of the country, its attractiveness for business is starting to be questioned. Despite the need to appear as business-friendly and open to

Chinese authorities have reportedly raided and shut down the Shanghai offices of leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance.  Citing unnamed local sources, The Block says that local police have shut down Binance’s offices after raiding the premises. Between 50–100 of the exchange’s employees reportedly worked out of the Shanghai location. Binance has not responded to Cointelegraph’s requests

The Chinese technology capital of Shenzhen issued a warning against illegal activities concerning cryptocurrencies. Local finance news outlet Eastmoney reported on Nov. 21 also that Shenzhen’s Leading Group for Remediation of Internet Finance Risks will investigate and collect evidence on illegal activities involving cryptocurrencies The crypto ban improved safety, says official body The Leading Group

Ethereum and Bitcoin (BTC) did not have to comply with regulation, admitted Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin in an interview with industry news outlet Forkast published on Nov. 18. During the interview — which took place at the Hong Kong FinTech Week — Lubin noted that new projects need to comply with regulations, and explained the