Bitpay COO Believes Bitcoin is “Working” as Means of Payment

Bitpay’s chief operating officer, Sonny Singh, recently attested to the efficacy of bitcoin as a means of payment, stating that “bitcoin is being used all around the world for things other than speculation and trading.” The COO also reported that Bitpay processed $1.2 billion USD worth of bitcoin payment in 2018. Also Read: Swissquote Reports 44% … Read more

Survey: Crypto Exchanges Want Regulation but See Strict Policies as a Threat

The majority of crypto exchanges want to see the industry regulated, although many consider excessive regulation to be the biggest threat, according to a new study. A third of the platforms in the poll also fear a market crash that could suddenly devalue digital assets. A fifth of the exchanges dislike anonymity.     Also read: Huobi … Read more

Officials in South Africa Propose VAT-Exemption for Bitcoin Trades

Cryptocurrencies are becoming more prevalent to residents living in South Africa and over the past year bitcoin interest stemming from the region has grown exponentially. Furthermore, just recently the South African Treasury has proposed a few amendments that apply to the country’s Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB) and how cryptocurrencies are taxed. According to regional … Read more

G20 Asks FATF to Clarify AML Standards for Cryptocurrencies

Financial ministers and central bankers from the G20 states met over the weekend in Argentina to discuss the challenges for the global economy. They reiterated their position that cryptocurrencies do not pose a risk to the financial stability. The officials also called on the Financial Action Task Force to clarify by October how its anti-money … Read more

Costa Rican Workers Can Be Legally Paid in Cryptocurrency

Employees in Costa Rica can receive part of their salary in cryptocurrency and that wouldn’t be against the law. Certain provisions in the national legislation allow companies to pay their workers not only with fiat money but also with goods, and some legal experts believe cryptos can fit in this category. Besides, Costa Rican laws … Read more

Ukraine’s Financial Stability Council Supports Crypto Regulatory Concept

Ukraine has taken a positive step towards legalizing cryptocurrencies. A new regulatory concept, one that recognizes coins and tokens as financial instruments, has won support from the members of the country’s Financial Stability Council. The body includes representatives of the National Bank, the Finance Ministry and other government agencies. Also read: Minsk Mulls Rules for … Read more

Iran Considers Using Cryptocurrencies to Evade US Sanctions

Iran may employ cryptocurrencies as part of its efforts to circumvent the upcoming US sanctions, according to a high-ranking Iranian lawmaker who said the matter will be discussed in parliament soon. The Iranian MP also believes that digital money can help with overcoming the hegemony of the US dollar.    Also read: PBoC: Bitcoin Trading … Read more

Australian Bank Bans Use of Mortgage Funds for Crypto Speculation

One of Australia’s oldest financial institutions, Bank of Queensland, has prohibited the use of home equity loans for virtual currency speculation. The move has been attributed to concerns pertaining to the growing regulatory oversight of the cryptocurrency sector in Australia. Also Read: Tether Announces Appointment of New Chief Compliance Officer Bank of Queensland Cracks Down on … Read more

Philippines Embraces Cryptocurrency: Exchanges Issued Provisional Licenses

The Philippines Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) announced it granted three cryptocurrency exchanges provisional license to operate. All three are foreign-based, including two from Hong Kong and one from Thailand. To gain annual approval, companies made substantial financial and employment investments in the country. Also read: Troll Slayer: Derek Magill Defends Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash Against … Read more