For investors and consumers relying on centralized crypto exchanges like FTX, Evans said there’s a need for federal guardrails, protections and greater transparency. Whether that oversight power is held by one agency or shared by the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress must “make sure the right legislation and regulation is created for the times,” she added. Source
According to the South African government, crypto entities — or businesses whose activities include the exchange or transfer of crypto assets — are set to be included in the list of so-called accountable institutions starting Dec. 19. Businesses that convert one crypto asset to another or that conduct transactions where a crypto asset is transferred “from one crypto asset address or account to another” will also be added. Amendments to Financial Intelligence Centre Act The South African government recently said persons operating crypto-related businesses will be added to the list…
A cryptocurrency law, which had been in discussion for several months, has been approved by the Chamber of Deputies in Brazil after having shed some of the changes presented by the Senate. The proposal left out two planned tax exemptions for green mining operations and the issue of segregating customer assets from company funds for virtual assets service providers (VASPs). Cryptocurrency Law Finally Approved in Brazil The cryptocurrency law project identified with the number 4.041/2021, was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in its session on Nov. 29. The law…
Though some crypto firms operate in New York with a BitLicense, many including NYC Mayor Eric Adams have criticized the licensing regime as a difficult barrier to cross. The New York State Department of Financial Services, or NYDFS, has proposed a regulation which would allow the government department to assess supervisory costs from licensed crypto firms operating in the state. In a Dec. 1 announcement, NYDFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris opened the proposed budget measure for public comment. The regulation, if approved, would grant the department the authority to assess costs…
As a crypto CEO, I know how often our sector is misunderstood and criticized. Sometimes, the criticism is deserved because we have not always done our part to shine a light on the utility and use cases powering positive change. But other times, it’s based on the assumption that all players in this industry are the same, which is just not true. Recently, skepticism reached new heights with the epic crash of FTX, one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world — and perhaps the largest-ever example of the…
Only crypto companies with a BitLicense – a special business license granted by NYDFS that allows firms to business in New York – will be subject to the assessments. Just 22 companies currently hold a BitLicense, which is notoriously difficult to obtain, and only three have been issued this year. Source
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says that the collapse of crypto exchange FTX shows that the crypto industry “really needs to have adequate regulation.” She added: “It’s a Lehman moment within crypto, and crypto is big enough that we’ve had substantial harm with investors.” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on FTX Implosion and the Need for Adequate Crypto Regulation U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen talked about the need for adequate crypto regulation following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX at an event hosted by the New York Times Dealbook Wednesday. She…
“The SEC is going to be a lot more concerned not with the money from the settlement, but from what the BlockFi bankruptcy represents in terms of harm to investors, systematic risks, contagion, and what it shows about the risks to crypto world in general,” Fischer said. “That’s going to be a little bit more to the front of the mind of the SEC than the $30 million that they’re owed.” Source
According to Lamido Yuguda, the director general of the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission, the regulator does not plan on including cryptocurrencies in its digital asset agenda. Yuguda reportedly said the commission will only change its stance on cryptos when Nigerian regulators agree on the standards to protect digital asset investors. Commission to Promote ‘Sensible Digital Assets’ The Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (NSEC) said it will only include cryptocurrencies in its digital assets agenda when regulators finally agree on the standards to protect investors. The commission added that cryptocurrencies…
Crypto exchange Kraken has settled with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) over its apparent violations of sanctions against Iran. The cryptocurrency exchange has agreed to remit $362,159 to settle its potential civil liability and invest an additional $100,000 in certain sanctions compliance controls. Kraken Settles With OFAC The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Monday a settlement with Payward Inc. (d/b/a Kraken), a Delaware-incorporated crypto exchange. The announcement states: Kraken agreed to remit $362,158.70 to settle its…