ECB Wants Active Role in Crypto, Will Not Deter Private Solutions

The European Central Bank (ECB) wants to play an active role in the field of digital currency, said President Christine Lagarde. As the bank works on its own digital currency and an instant payment system, Lagarde emphasizes that “central bank initiatives should neither discourage nor crowd out private market-led solutions for fast and efficient retail … Read more

Kerala Outlines Plans to Become India’s Blockchain Hub

The Indian state of Kerala is actively exploring using blockchain technology to improve a wide range of existing systems, including financial. Thousands of people are already being trained in the state to become blockchain experts, some of whom have already graduated, according to the state’s electronics and information technology secretary. He recently revealed the state’s … Read more

Korean Presidential Committee Pushes to Make Cryptocurrency Mainstream

A South Korean committee directly under the president has recommended several measures to the government that will make cryptocurrency mainstream. Emphasizing that “it is no longer possible to stop crypto asset trade,” the committee recommends integrating crypto into the country’s financial system, allowing financial institutions to directly offer a range of crypto products, including derivatives, … Read more

Regs Roundup: SEC Actions, Crypto Tax-Free in Korea, India’s National Blockchain Seminar

In this roundup, we cover several crypto-related actions by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York regulator’s crypto job posting. We also cover new Chinese laws, South Korea’s tax clarification, India’s blockchain education, the IMF working with the Philippines’ central bank, as well as crypto regulatory developments in Turkey and Qatar. … Read more

Problems Escalate in Venezuela as Millions Rush to Spend Petros

According to the Venezuelan government, millions of families have used the petro, the country’s national digital currency, to pay for goods and services. As shoppers rush to spend their coins, merchants are reportedly struggling, effectively forced to sell goods at a deep discount. At least one merchant is said to have been arrested. Also read: … Read more

33,000 Companies in China Claim to Use Blockchain Technology

China now has more than 33,000 registered companies claiming to use blockchain technology in their businesses, according to the country’s Center for Information and Industry Development. The information was released at a recent blockchain conference hosted by a Chinese municipal government and several state-backed research institutes. Also read: Regs Roundup – China Blockchain ETF, New … Read more

IMF Helping Philippines Become Important Crypto Market

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is providing the Philippines with technical assistance regarding crypto assets. The IMF believes the country may become an important crypto market and has provided the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas with suggestions for the country’s crypto regulation, including quarterly data collection from approved crypto exchanges. Also read: Regs Roundup – China … Read more

Regulatory Roundup: China Blockchain ETF, France New Crypto Rules, Tokens Like Money in Russia

In this roundup, we cover Russia’s supreme court recognizing tokens as assets like money and property, France’s new crypto regulatory framework, and several industry developments in China, including a blockchain ETF filing. We also cover Japan’s world conference for decentralized financial governance, Uzbekistan’s crypto ban, and four countries’ central bank digital currency updates. Also read: … Read more

South Korea Imposes $69M Tax Obligation on Crypto Exchange Bithumb

The National Tax Service of South Korea (NTS) has decided to withhold income tax from Bithumb’s foreign customers. The total tax to be imposed on their transactions amounts to more than 80 billion won (over $69 million), the leading Korean cryptocurrency exchange announced. Also read: Poles Hit With Backdated Tax on Crypto Trades Bithumb to … Read more

Wazirx CEO on 2020 Outlook, RBI Ban, Crypto Regulation for India

The Indian crypto community has had an eventful year, with a bill on the horizon, the RBI ban’s supreme court hearing, and the community’s efforts toward positive crypto regulation. News.Bitcoin.com interviewed Nischal Shetty, CEO of local crypto exchange Wazirx, about what the Indian crypto industry could expect in the year 2020 and a wide range … Read more