Religious Ban on Cryptocurrencies Provokes Social Media Reproach in Ingushetia

A decision by a prominent religious body in Ingushetia to prohibit dealings with cryptocurrency has sparked controversy in the predominantly Muslim Russian republic. Critics have taken to social media to express their disagreements with the ban, pointing out that the treatment of bitcoin in Islamic jurisdictions is not one-sided. Islamic Cleric Explains Reasoning Behind Crypto … Read more

France Rejects Russian Request to Extradite BTC-e Operator Alexander Vinnik

Judicial authorities in France have refused to grant the extradition request filed by Russia for Alexander Vinnik. According to the Russian Ombudsman, Vinnik is now ready to start a new hunger strike despite his health deteriorating after spending almost four years in detention. Court Case Against Vinnik Continues in France The operator of the infamous … Read more

Dutch Central Bank Revokes Strict Verification Rules for Crypto Exchanges

The cryptocurrency industry in the Netherlands has won a small but significant battle. The country’s central bank has canceled some excessive verification procedures that it imposed on crypto service providers last fall. The move comes after a local exchange took the matter to court. DNB Takes a Step Back on Unlawful KYC Requirements De Nederlandsche … Read more

Brazilians Can Now Bet on President Bolsonaro’s Reelection Bid on FTX

Crypto derivatives exchange FTX has launched a futures contract that allows Brazilian voters and traders in jurisdictions where the platform is available to bet on the outcome of Brazil’s next presidential election. With health and financial crises looming in the country, Jair Bolsonaro’s second term as head of state is far from certain. FTX Launches … Read more

Iranian Tax Agency to Profile Owners of Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Cryptocurrencies have been a cause for concern in Teheran as the digital assets have attracted capital from other, traditional markets. The parliament’s leadership has now asked the tax agency to profile the owners of Iranian platforms facilitating cryptocurrency trading and report to the Majlis. Parliament Speaker Asks Tax Agency to Report on Crypto Trading Platforms … Read more

Iran Warns Crypto Investors Amid Ban on Bitcoin Mined Outside Its Borders

The Central Bank of Iran has issued a warning against unrestrained crypto trading and reminded investors that only cryptocurrencies minted by licensed miners in the Islamic Republic can be used under limited circumstances. Traders will bear full responsibility for the risks, the bank cautioned, although spending crypto on imports through approved banks and exchanges remains … Read more

Crypto Derivatives Exchange FTX Starts Offering Lumber Futures Amidst Commodities Price Boom

FTX, one of the largest derivatives exchanges, has started to offer lumber-based futures markets for its customers, given the recent interest in speculating on commodities prices. Lumber has been one of the key commodities that have skyrocketed in price during these last months, affecting and halting many building projects all across the U.S. FTX Starts … Read more