Russia’s Yandex Search Engine Adds Cryptocurrencies to Its Converter

Yandex, the largest Russian search engine, has updated its currency converter, adding cryptocurrencies. The widget now shows the rates of these coins in a number of fiat currencies, with plans to introduce crypto-to-crypto pairs in the future as well. Yandex Integrates Leading Cryptocurrencies Into Its Currency Converter Users of Russia’s leading search engine, Yandex, can … Read more

Metaverse, AI, and Liquid Staking Tokens Lead Year-to-Date Crypto Asset Gains Among Top 125

In 2023, the leading crypto assets, such as bitcoin and ethereum, have captured decent gains. Bitcoin has increased 17.2% over the last 30 days, and ethereum has risen 9.3% in the same timeframe. However, year-to-date statistics show that bitcoin is down 38.3%, and ethereum has lost 39.3% against the U.S. dollar. The following presents a … Read more

Sony and Astar Network Launch Web3 Incubation Program for NFT and DAO-Focused Projects

On Feb. 17, 2023, Tokyo-based Sony Network Communications announced that it is co-hosting a Web3 incubation program with the multichain smart contract platform Astar Network. The program has started accepting applications, and Sony and Astar will jointly mentor Web3 projects “focused on the utility” of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Sony and … Read more

Bill Allows Russian Financial Platforms to Operate Blockchains, Issue Digital Assets

A draft law filed in the Russian parliament permits operators of platforms providing financial services to also run blockchain platforms. The legislation will allow them to combine their regular activities in the traditional financial market with issuing digital assets. New Law Opens Door to Blockchain Space for Russian Financial Service Providers The State Duma, the … Read more

Cleanspark Boosts Bitcoin Mining Capacity With Acquisition of 20,000 Bitmain Rigs

Bitcoin mining operation Cleanspark has acquired 20,000 brand-new Bitmain mining rigs for $43.6 million, the company reported. Once installed, Cleanspark expects to increase its capacity by 37% by adding roughly 2.44 exahash per second (EH/s) to the firm’s fleet. Cleanspark CEO Says Proprietary Mining Model Gives Company Greater Control and Efficiency Cleanspark, the publicly listed … Read more

Oman Capital Markets Regulator Plans to Establish a Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework

The Oman Capital Market Authority (CMA) has said it plans to establish a regulatory regime to govern as well as develop the country’s virtual assets market. The regulator said the envisaged regulatory regime enables it to avail an “alternative financing and investment platform for issuers and investors while mitigating the risks associated with this asset … Read more

El Salvador Considers Opening Second Bitcoin Embassy in Texas to Boost Economic Exchange

On Feb. 14, 2023, Milena Mayorga, the Salvadoran ambassador to the United States, announced that her country is considering opening a second bitcoin embassy in the Lone Star State. Mayorga said that Texas is “our new ally” and the goal is to expand “commercial and economic exchange projects.” Ambassador Milena Mayorga Fosters Growing Relationship Between … Read more

Former FTX Executive Accused of Fueling a Charity Through Discounted FTT Purchase

A former executive of FTX allegedly earned profits for a charity by purchasing discounted FTX tokens, FTT, before they became available to the public at $0.05 per unit, according to a report citing anonymous sources. Ruairi Donnelly, the former chief of staff at FTX, has been accused of donating the tokens to Polaris Ventures, a … Read more

Income Tax Applies to Crypto Trading in Bosnia, Tax Administration Says

Individuals are expected to pay income tax on gains from cryptocurrency trading, the tax authority of Bosnia has determined. In the absence of dedicated regulations, the federal government in Sarajevo has set up a working group to assess various risks associated with digital assets. Income Tax Is Due on Profits From Crypto Trades, Bosnia Tax … Read more