Japan Unveils Results of On-Site Inspections of 23 Crypto Exchanges

The Japanese financial regulator has finished the on-site inspections of 23 cryptocurrency exchanges. The agency found many problems and has released a report outlining them. The regulator will use the findings to tighten its review procedures of new crypto exchange applicants, including over 100 companies that have been waiting to be reviewed. Also read: Yahoo! Japan … Read more

Iran Steps Up Plan for National Crypto After US Sanctions

Right after Washington’s move to impose sanctions that will restrict Iran’s access to US currency, reports came out that Tehran is speeding up the project to develop a national cryptocurrency. Officials in the Islamic Republic believe the state-issued coin could help circumvent the restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. Also read: New Bill Proposes 5% … Read more

Huge Demand for ‘P2P’ Crypto Trading Seen in India After RBI Ban

Exchange-escrowed trading directly between cryptocurrency buyers and sellers is growing in popularity in India following the crypto banking ban imposed by the country’s central bank. One local exchange, in particular, is seeing “tremendous” response from Indian traders for this service as “tens of thousands of new users have signed up” in a month. Also read: Yahoo! … Read more

Ecobank Report Finds Significant Presence of Crypto in 36 African Countries

A report published by the pan-African bank, Ecobank Transnational Inc., has found that despite cryptocurrencies exerting a notable presence in each of the 36 African countries in which the company operates, only South Africa and Swaziland have adopted a “generally favorable and permissive [regulatory] stance” pertaining to cryptocurrencies. Also Read: The ICO Market Has Hit the … Read more

Crypto Friendly Policies Rapidly Drawing Companies to Thailand

Soon after Thailand adopted its regulations for cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs), companies reportedly pile up to apply for licenses to operate in the country. According to the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission, about 50 ICO projects are seeking to launch, five portals plan to open for business and 20 crypto exchanges have applied … Read more

Illegal Activity No Longer Dominant Use of Bitcoin: DEA Agent

A special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reportedly revealed that the use of bitcoin in illegal activities has shrunk to about 10 percent from 90 percent previously. This finding contradicts the popular perception of the cryptocurrency’s primary use. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space New Data From DEA … Read more

New Bill Proposes 5% Tax on Crypto Incomes in Ukraine

A draft law prepared by deputies and representatives of the industry aims to introduce light taxation of crypto incomes in Ukraine. Businesses and individuals will be required to pay 5% on their profits from trading and mining cryptocurrencies when exchanged to fiat. Add to that the mandatory ‘military charge’ of 1.5% all Ukrainians owe the … Read more

Canaan Unveils 7nm Chip Equipped Miner at Press Conference

At a recent press conference, the world’s second largest manufacturer of bitcoin mining rigs, Canaan Creative, revealed four new products. In addition to the recently reported bitcoin mining television set, the company will launch a 7nm chip-equipped 30T Avalonminer A9, a Litecoin Avalonminer, and a household heater miner. Also Read: Bitmain Offers Wi-Fi Routers Mining Cryptocurrencies … Read more

Exchanges Round-Up: Goldman Considers Crypto Custody, SA Exchange Launches USDT

In recent news pertaining to cryptocurrency exchanges, it has been reported that Goldman Sachs is considering exploring custody and other services pertaining to cryptocurrencies; a South African exchange has introduced Tether pairings in the hopes of driving down the local premium on crypto prices through offering arbitrage opportunities to foreign traders; and Blockex has announced … Read more

Philippines Building Crypto Valley of Asia

The Philippines government is building Crypto Valley of Asia, a cryptocurrency and fintech hub similar to the one in the canton of Zug, Switzerland. The estate will be built at the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in partnership with private property developer Northern Star Gaming & Resorts Inc. The zone is already set to … Read more