EU Adopts Rules to Reduce Anonymity for Crypto Users

A directive affecting the crypto sector in Europe has been adopted by the EU Council. The document updates the anti-money laundering legislation of the European Union to address, among other issues, “the risks linked to virtual currencies.” The new rules aim to reduce anonymity for both users and transactions with requirements for know-your-customer procedures that … Read more

CFTC’s Christopher Giancarlo Criticizes Outdated Regulatory Mandate

The chairman of the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Christopher Giancarlo, recently discussed the challenges associated with assessing the regulatory implications of bitcoin and cryptocurrency according to the CFTC’s “decades[-]old” legislative mandate. Also Read: Openbazaar Co-Founder Expresses Frustration Over BTC Fees CFTC Chairman Criticizes 1930’s Legislative Apparatus In a recent interview with CNBC, Mr. … Read more

South Korean Lawmakers Draft Bill to Legalize Some Initial Coin Offerings

A group of South Korean lawmakers is working on a bill to legalize initial coin offerings (ICOs), providing they meet certain conditions under the supervision of the government. Meanwhile, the current ICO ban in the country has driven many domestic corporations to raise capital overseas. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space Bill … Read more

Taxis Take BCH, Stores Sell BTC in the Russian City of Rostov

Residents of Rostov, the Russian port city on the Don River, are enjoying a growing number of bitcoin-related services. Some crypto-savvy taxi drivers have started accepting Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and several BTC teller machines have been installed in supermarkets. All that happens while officials in Moscow are still mulling over the legislation needed to regulate … Read more

New Party in Ukraine to Fund Itself Only with Cryptos

A newly formed party in Ukraine has vowed to rely only on cryptocurrency contributions to sustain its activity and never to accept money from the oligarchs. Weakening state control over economy and expanding civil liberties are among its main political priorities. The party wants to protect the interests of people and companies from the IT … Read more

Bermuda Reveals Draft Crypto Regulations, Plans to Embrace ICOs

The Bermuda Monetary Authority has issued a consultation paper on draft regulations pertaining to “virtual currency businesses” and initial coin offerings (ICOs). The proposed bill seeks to create a framework that encourages and fosters the development of Bermuda’s nascent cryptocurrency industry. Also Read: 16 Government-Approved Crypto Exchanges Have Formed Self-Regulatory Group in Japan Bermuda Reveals Regulatory … Read more

These Countries Won’t Tax Your Bitcoins Too Much

A growing number of governments can’t resists the temptation to get their hands on some of the bitcoins their citizens are making. Several states, however, think that leaving some breathing space for crypto users and entrepreneurs is a better idea in the long run. Crypto-friendly tax regimes can still be found around the world. Also … Read more

Latvia Recognizes Cryptocurrencies in Order to Tax Them

Trying to take its share of the profits, the government of Latvia may accept cryptocurrencies as a legal means of exchange. This year’s tax filing campaign is underway and officials don’t have much time. Two parliamentary commissions and the Ministry of Finance have expressed their views on the matter this week. Latvians may very soon … Read more

The Challenge of Conforming Crypto to the Language of Regulation – or Vice Versa

An often overlooked hurdle in the formulation of legislative apparatus for cryptocurrency is the challenge of adapting cryptocurrency to the classifications and language of financial regulations. Also Read: Research Paper Declares Bitcoin Compliant With Shariah Law Language Barrier Between Regulators and Crypto Community A recent article authored by Jonathan Chester, the chief executive officer of Bitwage, … Read more

Crypto Community Fears Passage of the CLOUD Act

The Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act just passed – almost in secret – tucked deep inside a voluminous spending package of well over a trillion dollars. No debate. No up or down vote on the merits of CLOUD. Instead, lawmakers would have had to reject the entire bill, thousands of pages, and … Read more