Regulatory Loophole Helps Startups in India Accept Bitcoin Without Breaking the Law

Some businesses in India believe that they have found a loophole in the finance minister’s speech that sought to clamp down on the use of cryptocurrencies. While this loophole may allow startups to accept bitcoin without breaking the law, experts question its viability. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies The … Read more

Japan Punishes Seven Cryptocurrency Exchanges, Suspending Two

The Japanese financial regulator has punished seven cryptocurrency exchanges in the country, suspending the operation of two of them. “The agency fears another Coincheck-style hack,” it stated after recent inspections of all crypto exchanges in Japan revealed inadequate measures for customer protection. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies FSA Punishes … Read more

Venezuela Picks FX Platform to Auction Petro ‘Oil-Backed Cryptocurrency’

Venezuela has chosen a platform on which to auction its “oil-backed cryptocurrency”, the petro. While the country’s National Assembly has repeatedly declared this new currency illegal, the Venezuelan government will proceed with the auction of the petro on the country’s official foreign exchange platform. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies … Read more

Domains Running Cryptocurrency Mining Scripts Surge 725 Percent

The number of domains with cryptocurrency mining scripts installed has skyrocketed 725 percent in four months, according to a security firm’s research. Approximately 2.7 million users were attacked by malicious crypto miners last year, with the most successful cybercriminals earning millions of dollars. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies Domains … Read more

One in Three Cryptocurrencies Is Currently Unspendable

Cryptocurrencies are speculative instruments, their price predicated upon future prospects rather than current reality. As a consequence, many of them don’t qualify as outright currencies – at least not yet. While the likes of bitcoin, bitcoin cash, and ethereum can be freely spent on desktop and mobile, dozens more are barely usable outside of crypto … Read more

Grayscale Launches Crypto Investment Trusts for BCH, ETH, XRP, and LTC

Grayscale Investments has announced the launch of four new single-asset cryptocurrency investment trusts for bitcoin cash, ether, litecoin, and ripple. The company already manages three other single-asset crypto trusts for bitcoin, ethereum classic, and zcash, in addition to a recently-launched crypto large-cap fund. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies Grayscale’s … Read more

Russia Drafts Law to Criminalize the Use of Cryptocurrencies as Money

The Russian Ministry of Finance is drafting a law to criminalize the use of cryptocurrencies as money substitutes. The Bank of Russia and the finance ministry have previously opposed the use of cryptocurrency in this way, citing that only rubles can be used for payments of goods and services in Russia. Also read: Indians Look to … Read more

Korean Government Officials De Facto Banned from Holding and Trading Crypto

The South Korean government has reportedly de facto banned all government officials from holding and trading cryptocurrencies. Even if their crypto activities are not related to their jobs, public officials can still be subject to disciplinary actions. Also read: Indians Look to Buy Bitcoin Overseas as Regulations Tighten Public Officials De Facto Banned from Crypto South … Read more

Korea’s Mandatory Crypto Real-Name System Neglected – 19% Conversion Rate

South Korea’s real-name system for cryptocurrency trading has been enforced for over a month, but most accounts have not been converted to the new system. Banks are still not converting accounts for most crypto exchanges and the government will not force them or investors to use the new system. Also read: Indians Look to Buy Bitcoin … Read more

Major Pawnshop Network in Ukraine Launching Cryptocurrency-Secured Loans

A major network of pawn shops in Ukraine is launching a new lending service with loans secured by cryptocurrency. With over 300 branches, the pawnbroker plans to offer loans based on the type, amount, and price of crypto collaterals. Also read: Indians Look to Buy Bitcoin Overseas as Regulations Tighten Pawn Shops Offer Crypto-Secured Loans Founded … Read more