Australia’s new government finally signals its crypto regulation stance

Three months after being elected into power, the Australian Labor party has finally broken its silence on how it’s planning to approach crypto regulation.  Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced a “token mapping” exercise, which was one of the 12 recommendations in a senate inquiry report last year on “Australia as a Technology and Financial Center.” The report was warmly welcomed by the industry which has been anxiously waiting to see if the ALP government would embrace it. Aimed at being conducted before the end of the year, the token mapping exercise…

FDIC Issues Crypto-Related Cease and Desist Orders to 5 Companies Including FTX US Exchange – Regulation Bitcoin News

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has sent a cease and desist letter to five companies, including crypto exchange FTX US. CEO Sam Bankman-Fried explained that FTX does not have FDIC insurance, stating: “We never meant otherwise, and apologize if anyone misinterpreted it … to be clear FTX US isn’t FDIC insured.” FDIC Orders 5 Firms to Cease and Desist The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued crypto-related cease and desist orders to five companies Friday. The agency regulates and insures the deposits of FDIC-insured community banks and other financial…

Indian Police Search for Bitconnect Founder After the US Indicted Him for Defrauding Crypto Investors – Regulation Bitcoin News

The Indian police have launched an investigation into Bitconnect and booked its founder after a bitcoin investor reported being defrauded by the global crypto “Ponzi scheme.” According to U.S. authorities, the scheme reached a market capitalization of $3.4 billion at its peak. The founder and his co-conspirators allegedly obtained about $2.4 billion from investors. Bitconnect’s Founder Wanted by Indian Police The founder of Bitconnect, one of the most famous fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes, is wanted by the Indian police in the city of Pune, Maharashtra, after the U.S. indicted him…

Korean Regulator Takes Action Against 16 Foreign Crypto Exchanges – Regulation Bitcoin News

The South Korean financial intelligence unit is taking action against 16 foreign cryptocurrency exchanges for operating illegally in the country. “For illegal business activities of unregistered entities, maximum of 5 years of imprisonment or up to KRW 50 million of fines can be imposed,” the regulator said. 16 Foreign Crypto Exchanges Flagged by South Korean Regulator South Korea’s top financial regulator, the Financial Services Commission (FSC), announced Thursday that the country’s financial intelligence unit (KoFIU) has notified investigative authorities about the illegal business activities of 16 unregistered virtual asset service…

‘De-risking’ Crypto Firms Potentially Creates ‘Opacity in Financial Conduct’ – Regulation Bitcoin News

According to the latest guidance note issued by the South African banking sector regulator, Prudential Authority, risk assessment does not mean financial institutions should avoid or eliminate risks via the wholesale termination of client relationships with entities such as crypto asset service providers. Instead, the regulator wants financial institutions to only consider “de-risking” when the “risk posed is too great to manage successfully.” A Threat to Financial Integrity South Africa’s main banking industry regulator, the Prudential Authority, has said some banks’ decisions to terminate relationships with crypto entities “may pose…

Philippine Regulator Warns the Public of Engaging With Foreign Crypto Service Providers – Regulation Bitcoin News

The central bank of the Philippines, the primary regulator of the country’s crypto sector, has warned investors about engaging with unregistered and foreign crypto service providers. They “may present additional challenges on enforcing legal recourse and consumer protection and redress mechanisms for local customers, among others,” the regulator said. The Philippine Central Bank’s Crypto Warnings The central bank of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), issued a public warning Tuesday regarding unregistered and foreign crypto service providers. In the Philippines, the central bank is the primary regulator of the…

ECB Creating a Harmonized Regulatory Framework Governing Crypto Activities and Services – Regulation Bitcoin News

The European Central Bank (ECB) is working to harmonize the regulatory framework governing crypto activities and services in the EU. The regulator noted that several regulatory initiatives at the European and international levels are being finalized. ECB’s Regulatory Plan for Crypto Assets The European Central Bank (ECB) outlined its plan to harmonize the regulatory framework governing crypto activities and services in the EU Wednesday. The regulator explained that banks are increasingly considering whether to offer crypto products and services, and it is the ECB’s role to “ensure they do so…

British Fintech Revolut Granted Crypto License in Cyprus – Regulation Bitcoin News

U.K.-based digital bank Revolut has been authorized by Cyprus to provide cryptocurrency services to millions of customers on the Old Continent. The fintech firm says the regulatory approval will allow it to establish a European crypto hub in the island nation. Revolut to Expand Crypto Services for Europeans From Cyprus A leader in the neobank sector, Revolut, has received approval from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) to operate with cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. The company plans to establish a cryptocurrency hub on the island that will allow…

Colombia Plans to Launch Digital Currency to Reduce Tax Evasion – Regulation Bitcoin News

The government of Colombia revealed it has plans to launch a digital currency. One of the purposes of this new currency would be to curb tax evasion and enhance the traceability of transactions made by citizens. The proposed measure would also be accompanied by restrictions on cash payments and transactions of over 10 million Colombian pesos ($2,400). Colombia to Launch Its Own Digital Currency Many countries are now looking to digitize part of their economies in order to better understand and control the flow of money in their…

UN Agency Urges Authorities to Curb Cryptocurrency Expansion in Developing Countries – Regulation Bitcoin News

A United Nations trade body has recommended a set of policy actions to “curb the expansion of cryptocurrencies in developing countries.” The intergovernmental group stressed that if cryptocurrencies become a widespread means of payment, it could jeopardize the monetary sovereignty of countries. UN Trade Body’s Crypto Policy Recommendations The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) urged authorities in developing countries worldwide to take action to prevent the widespread use of cryptocurrencies last week. UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.…