‘What Was Gary Gensler Really Doing?’: Rep. Tom Emmer on FTX, the SEC and What’s Next for Crypto in Congress

The so-called “Crypto King of Congress” blames over-centralization and old-fashioned fraud for FTX’s collapse (not crypto). As Congress considers new crypto legislation, can he persuade his colleagues – including the combative Elizabeth Warren – of the same? Source 039WhatCongressCryptoDoing039EmmerFTXGaryGenslerRepSECTomWhat039s CryptoX Portal

Germany’s Watchdog Launches Anti-Trust Investigation into PayPal

Germany’s FOC regulator stated that PayPal’s users of terms are causing a possible hindrance to its competitors which has led to an investigation. Payments giant PayPal could be in trouble as Germany’s antitrust watchdog launched an investigation into PayPal in order to examine whether the US online payment giant was using its position to restrict competition in the market. Investigation into PayPal Germany’s Federal Cartel Office (FCO) also noted that they would examine if the conditions set out in PayPal’s terms of use constitute a possible “hindrance of competitors and…

Crypto Exchange Bitzlato Converted Over $1B in Crime-Linked Assets, Europol Says

The statement from Europol, the EU agency that coordinates activities among national law enforcement authorities within the bloc, details house searches in Spain, Cyprus and Portugal; the takedown of digital infrastructure in France; and seizures of 18 million euros ($19.5 million) in cryptocurrency, vehicles and electronics, plus the freezing of 50 million euros ($54.3 million) of crypto at other exchanges. Source

Japan’s FSA expects to allow certain stablecoins by June 2023

Japan’s new regulations allowing investors to trade using stablecoins like Tether (USDT) are expected to be adopted no later than in June 2023, according to a local financial authority. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan is working on lifting the ban on the domestic distribution of stablecoins, planning to allow certain stablecoins later this year. “This does not mean that all foreign products of so-called ‘stablecoins’ will be allowed without any restriction,” a spokesperson for Japan’s FSA said in a statement to Cointelegraph. FSA will only allow stablecoins that…

Protecting Digital Privacy Rights: Congress Urged to Defend Pro-Privacy Future

This is why our organization, Fight for the Future, has released a letter signed by 40+ open-source, decentralized and/or privacy-preserving projects that asks lawmakers to protect a pro-privacy future. Signatories on this letter include Tor, The Blockchain Association, Nym, Protocol Labs, Proton, Zcash, Tutanota and Mysterium. Source CongressDefendDigitalfuturePrivacyProPrivacyProtectingrightsUrged CryptoX Portal

Bitcoin miner Argo regains compliance with Nasdaq minimum bid price rule

Amid bullish action on cryptocurrency markets, Bitcoin (BTC) mining firm Argo Blockchain has regained stock listing compliance with Nasdaq. Argo officially announced on Jan. 23 that the company regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price rule amid the share price recovery.  The Nasdaq stock market listing qualifications department has informed Argo that it successfully met a requirement to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1 for ten consecutive trading days. This requirement was met on Jan. 13, with Nasdaq confirming that it considers the matter closed. The announcement comes…

How Congress Is Gearing Up to Regulate Crypto

Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, thinks this will be the “crypto Congress,” because the industry’s need for oversight “hits the trifecta of interest, understanding, and urgency with lawmakers,” she said. “Crypto will become an unavoidable issue for members of Congress, and when it comes to crypto policy, there is something for everyone.” Source