Russia’s First Digital Financial Assets Expected This Year, Lawmaker Says

The first digital financial assets based on Russian blockchains may be issued as early as this year, a high-ranking parliamentarian announced. Three platforms are already registered as issuers, said Anatoly Aksakov, who chairs the Financial Market Committee at the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament. Russian Digital Financial Assets Likely to Appear by … Read more

Putin Obliges Election Candidates to Report Crypto Holdings Outside Russia

President Vladimir Putin has approved amendments to his own decree requiring Russian citizens running for office to declare their property abroad. The updated regulation lists cryptocurrencies among the assets that candidates should report to the state. President Putin Requires Russian Officials to Reveal Crypto Asset Purchases in Foreign Countries Candidates for government offices in Russia … Read more

World’s Largest Family-Owned Private Bank Now Offers Crypto Investments via SEBA Bank

On Wednesday, the world’s largest family-owned banking institution, LGT Bank, announced that it has selected SEBA Bank in order to provide cryptocurrency custody and brokerage services to clients. LGT will start by offering investments in bitcoin and ethereum and the bank’s customers can incorporate the digital assets into their existing LGT Bank-managed portfolios. LGT Bank … Read more

Weiss Ratings Report Claims Crypto-Backed Home Loans Spell Trouble

A report published on May 2 by the rating agency Weiss Ratings warns that crypto-backed mortgages “spell risk.” Weiss editor Jon D. Markman said backing a mortgage with crypto is an “interesting strategy,” but stressed that during these market conditions “investors should be skeptical.” Weiss Ratings Editor Doesn’t Believe Crypto and Mortgages Mix According to … Read more

Bank of Russia Seeks to Allow Stock Exchanges to Trade Digital Assets

The Central Bank of Russia has recently proposed authorizing traditional stock exchanges to operate in the digital assets market. Industry watchers say the regulator aims to provide investors with an option to trade cryptocurrencies in a controlled environment. Russian Stock Exchanges to List Digital Financial Assets, Central Bank of Russia Suggests Stock exchanges and central … Read more

Top ECB Official Ramps Up Anti-Crypto Rhetoric, Calls for Global Regulations

Comparing the rise of crypto assets to the gold rush, a top executive at the European Central Bank has urged governments to take action to prevent “a lawless frenzy of risk-taking.” Speaking in the U.S., the ECB official called for a global regulatory clampdown on cryptocurrencies and stepping up efforts to issue central bank digital … Read more

Report: Afghans Use Crypto to Curb Taliban’s Influence on Their Financial Well-Being

Afghan residents are reportedly acquiring digital assets that they use to preserve their savings and to diminish the ruling Taliban’s ability to affect their financial well-being. Since the militant group seized control, the value of crypto transactions per week has in some cases doubled, a Bloomberg report has said. Demand for Digital Currencies Surges Demand … Read more

Co-Founder of Zimbabwean Fintech Startup: ‘Everyone Has a Right to Access Funds and Financial Freedom’

Cryptocurrencies have been proven to be a financial tool that can be used to store value or make payments by those excluded from the financial system. Yet, despite this being true in many jurisdictions, many of those that might benefit from cryptocurrencies are still not using them. Regulatory Uncertainty and Ignorance There may be several … Read more

Draft Law Regulating Aspects of Crypto Taxation Submitted to Russian Parliament

A bill updating Russia’s tax law to incorporate provisions pertaining to cryptocurrencies has been filed with the State Duma, the lower house of parliament. The legislation is tailored to regulate the taxation of sales and profits in the country’s market for digital assets. Russian Deputies to Review Law on Crypto-Related Taxation The federal government of … Read more

South Korean Intelligence Service Informs Crypto Exchanges About Cyberthreats

The South Korean state intelligence agency is now providing crypto trading platforms with information about attempts to breach their cybersecurity. The help for the country’s digital asset exchanges comes amid growing threats, local media reported. Intelligence Service Offers Cybersecurity Assistance to Major South Korean Crypto Exchanges South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has started to … Read more