Israel Prohibits Cash Deals for Amounts Starting as Low as $1,700

New legislation introducing tighter restrictions on payments with large sums of cash will enter into force in Israel on Monday. The goal, as stated by the country’s tax authority, is to improve the fight against organized crime, money laundering, and tax evasion. Critics doubt the law will achieve that. Authorities in Israel Go After Cash … Read more

Israeli Crypto Company Etoro Lays Off 100 Workers, SPAC Deal Terminated, Company Eyes Private Raise

The digital currency firm Etoro has revealed it is laying off 100 workers or roughly 6% of the company’s workforce. Furthermore, Etoro disclosed that the company is terminating the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger planned with Fintech Acquisition Corp. Etoro says the company plans to raise funds privately now and aims to raise $800 … Read more

Public Consultations Reveal Positive Interest in Bank of Israel’s Digital Shekel

A survey carried out by the central bank of Israel has returned mostly positive responses from stakeholders regarding the possible issuance of a digital shekel currency. Many of the participants in the public consultations support the continued development of the project, the regulator said. Bank of Israel Releases Results From Consultations on Digital Shekel Project … Read more

Bank of Israel: Adoption of CBDC Will Not Materially Affect the Banking System

Israel’s central bank says the public’s adoption of the digital shekel is not expected “to materially affect the banking system.” The bank, however, warns that any issuance of such digital currency will likely result in a decline of the volume of the public’s deposits. Increase in the Banking System’s Interest Expenses Israel’s central bank, the … Read more