Bybit Affiliate Withdraws Hong Kong VASP Application Months After Regulator Issued License Warning

The Singaporean crypto exchange Bybit’s affiliate Spark Fintech Limited, has abandoned its pursuit of an operating license in Hong Kong. The affiliate withdrew its virtual asset trading platform application on May 31, exactly four months after submitting it. The decision followed the Hong Kong regulator’s classification of Bybit as an unlicensed entity, accompanied by threats … Read more

Nigerian Senate Committee: Regulated Crypto Trading a Boost for Local Currency

The Nigerian Senate Committee on Capital Markets has called for the regulation of cryptocurrency and warned that the country’s unclear position could be costing the country. The committee also urged the government of Bola Tinubu to develop the capital and crypto markets to defend the local currency. Nigeria’s Ambiguous Stance on Crypto The Nigerian Senate … Read more

Hong Kong’s Grace Period for Crypto Exchanges Ending — Trading Platforms Must Obtain License by June 1

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued a reminder that crypto trading platforms must obtain a license to operate in Hong Kong before the grace period ends on June 1. The regulator warned that operating without a license is a criminal offense and will enforce compliance. Investors are advised to only trade … Read more

Russian Traffic to Global Crypto Exchanges Surges; Central Bank Warns of Western Sanctions Risk

The surge in Russian traffic to global cryptocurrency exchange platforms in the last two quarters has prompted officials to issue a warning about the risk of Western sanctions. According to a central bank study, Russian traffic to some of the largest crypto exchanges increased by 16.4%, reaching 104.6 million visits. Russian Share of Global Traffic … Read more

South Africa’s Regulator Tightens Rules for Crypto Asset Transfers via Latest Directive

The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has proposed a directive regarding crypto asset transfers. This directive follows the licensing of 75 crypto asset service providers (CASPs) by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa. The FIC aims to tighten regulations by requiring CASPs to implement more detailed and stricter requirements for digital transactions. The directive’s … Read more

Nigerian Prison Agency Held Responsible for Court Absence of Jailed Binance Executive

The Nigerian Correctional Service recently faced accusations of failing to bring Tigran Gambaryan, a jailed Binance executive, to a court hearing on May 22. A lawyer representing the Nigerian revenue collection agency subsequently requested the court to adjourn proceedings. This would allow him to investigate the reasons behind Gambaryan’s absence. Gambaryan Key to Nigeria’s Tax … Read more

Nigerian Securities Regulator: Crypto Exchanges Complying With Naira Delisting Directive

The Nigerian Securities Regulator has stated that cryptocurrency exchanges have complied with a directive to remove the local currency from peer-to-peer platforms. The acting director-general of the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission has called on platforms engaged in practices that undermine the national interest to cease such activities. Kucoin’s Delisting of Naira Receives Praise The … Read more

Nigerian Court Rules Tigran Gambaryan Can Face Tax Evasion Charges on Behalf of Binance

The Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is currently in jail, has been deemed eligible by a Nigerian court to represent the cryptocurrency exchange in its ongoing tax evasion trial. A spokesperson for Binance stated that the charges against Gambaryan are entirely without merit, and he should be released. Tigran Gambaryan Qualifies to Represent Binance A … Read more

Crypto Broker Fined Nearly $1.7M for Illegally Providing Access to Digital Asset Exchanges

On May 13, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced it had fined crypto brokerage firm Falcon Labs Ltd. approximately $1.7 million. The fines are penalties for the firm’s illegal facilitation of U.S. residents’ access to digital asset derivative exchanges. The commission has urged digital asset intermediaries in similar situations to report their activities to the … Read more