SEC adds to cryptocurrency regulation staff

Gary Gensler Simon Dawson | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Tuesday that it will almost double its staff responsible for protecting investors in cryptocurrency markets. The regulator’s Crypto Assets and Cyber team, a unit of the SEC’s broader Enforcement division, will increase its head count by 20 for a total of 50 dedicated positions. Wall Street’s top law enforcer said that the 20 additions will include investigative staff attorneys, trial lawyers and fraud analysts. Both SEC Chair Gary Gensler and Enforcement Director Gurbir Grewal applauded…

Crypto Industry Lobbies Against Bills Targeting Russian Oligarchs Evading Sanctions Using Cryptocurrency – Regulation Bitcoin News

The crypto industry is lobbying U.S. lawmakers against two bills aimed at preventing Russian oligarchs from using cryptocurrency to avoid sanctions. The U.S. and many other countries placed sanctions on them after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. Bills Preventing Wealthy Russians From Using Crypto to Avoid Sanctions The Blockchain Association has been lobbying U.S. lawmakers against two bills designed to prevent Russian oligarchs from using cryptocurrency to evade sanctions imposed on them after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, CNBC reported last week. The first is a House bill…

EU commissioner calls for global coordination on crypto regulation

Mairead McGuinness, the commissioner for financial services, financial stability and capital markets union at the European Commission, is calling for global regulators to work together to address potential risks in the crypto market. In a Sunday opinion piece in political media outlet The Hill, McGuinness said the European Union and the United States could help lead the world in a regulatory approach for cryptocurrencies that considers the benefits of the innovative technology while addressing “significant risks.” The EU commissioner pointed to the volatility of certain assets, the risk of insider…

Nigerian Trio Allegedly Uses Money Laundering Proceeds to Buy Bitcoins Worth Over $43 Million – Regulation Bitcoin News

Three Nigerian nationals are accused of using money laundering proceeds to buy bitcoin worth over $43 million from cryptocurrency exchange platforms like Binance and Busha. The trio is accused of moving an equivalent of over $215 million from Nigeria to Kenya between October and November 2020. Powerful Kenyan Politician Assists the Alleged Money Launderers The global law enforcement agency, Interpol is seeking to conclude a case where three Nigerian nationals are believed to have used money laundering proceeds to buy bitcoins worth over $43 million, a report has said. Three…

Uzbekistan President Issues Decree Regulating Cryptocurrencies, Mining and Trading – Regulation Bitcoin News

The government of Uzbekistan has moved to expand its crypto regulations through a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The document provides definitions for terms like crypto assets, exchange, and mining, and determines the main regulatory body for the industry. Agency Under President Mirziyoyev to Oversee Crypto Market in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan’s head of state, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has signed a new decree expanding the regulatory framework for the Central Asian nation’s crypto space. Its stated goal is to further develop digital technologies, create favorable conditions for entrepreneurship and improve the legislation…

Bahrain Central Bank Issues New Regulations Governing Operations of Crowdfunding Platforms – Regulation Bitcoin News

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has said new regulations compelling operators of crowdfunding platforms to ensure their products are suitable for clients are set to replace existing rules which were first issued in 2017. Segregation of Client Money From Platform Operators The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has issued new guidelines which apply to operators of crowdfunding platforms for the first time since 2017, a statement from the central bank has said. The new regulations cover principles that govern the operations of a crowdfunding platform as well as the…

India Exploring Commercial Uses for Central Bank Digital Currency, Says Finance Minister – Regulation Bitcoin News

The Indian government is exploring “several commercial use purposes and not just financial inclusion” for its central bank digital currency. India’s finance minister clarified that the aim is for the digital rupee, which will be backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to be issued by 2023. India’s Finance Minister on RBI-Backed Digital Currency Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman talked about the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital rupee, this week at a business roundtable on “Investing in India’s Digital Revolution” in San Francisco. The event was…

‘Buying Bitcoin Is Not a Problem for Us’ – Regulation Bitcoin News

Switzerland’s central bank, the Swiss National Bank, says buying and holding bitcoin as a reserve currency is not a problem for the bank. “We can arrange the technical and operative conditions relatively quickly, when we are convinced we must have bitcoin in our balance sheet,” the chairman of the Swiss central bank reportedly explained. Switzerland’s Central Bank on Buying and Holding Bitcoin as a Reserve Currency The Swiss National Bank could buy and hold bitcoin as a reserve currency if the cryptocurrency meets the bank’s currency reserves requirements, Chairman Thomas…

Brazilian Senate Approves Cryptocurrency Law Project – Regulation Bitcoin News

The Brazilian Senate has approved a recently presented cryptocurrency policy, advancing the project to discussions in the deputy chamber. The proposal will have to be greenlighted by the deputies of Congress and signed by President Jair Bolsonaro to be approved as law. The project presented is the result of the fusion of several law projects dealing with crypto. Brazilian Senate Greenlights Crypto Law Project The Brazilian Senate has greenlighted a cryptocurrency law project that seeks to give more clarity and protect users from different cryptocurrency-related scams that have happened in…