No Strong Case to Ban Crypto Trading, Singapore Says

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has been studying cryptocurrency developments and there is no strong case to ban crypto trading, a high-ranking government official told lawmakers. The adoption of regulations in other countries in the region has increased pressure on authorities in the city-state to clarify their stance on bitcoin, as more crypto companies in … Read more

Venezuela Invites OPEC Countries to Jointly Develop Oil-Backed Crypto Platform

Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro has invited all OPEC nations to jointly develop a platform for the trading of oil-backed cryptocurrencies. Venezuela is preparing for a pre-sale of the petro, its oil-backed cryptocurrency which can be used to pay national taxes, fees, and public services. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies … Read more

Major British Credit Card Issuers Ban Customers From Buying Cryptocurrencies

Britain’s largest banking group is banning its credit card customers from buying cryptocurrencies including bitcoin. Credit card issuers that are banning crypto transactions include the UK’s largest retail bank, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, Halifax, and MBNA. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies Largest British Banking Group Banning Crypto Britain’s … Read more

Russia Drafts Bill to Create Offshore Companies to Trade Cryptocurrencies

The Russian Ministry of Finance is drafting a bill to allow the creation of offshore companies to trade cryptocurrencies. This follows the bill which the ministry recently published on the legal framework for cryptocurrencies. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens for Business With 7 Cryptocurrencies Crypto Trading Offshore “The Ministry of Finance proposed to create … Read more

International Market Maintains Demand for Chinese Cryptocurrency Mining Hardware

The future for manufacturers of bitcoin mining hardware in China appears bright despite reports that the Chinese central government will seek to rein in the power consumption of mining companies operating within its borders. Hong Kong-based media outlet, South China Morning Post, has reported that there is considerable international demand for Chinese mining hardware internationally … Read more

Ukrainian Law May Separate Mining from Cryptocurrencies

Ukrainian legislators should separate the regulation of crypto mining from the legal status of cryptocurrencies. The new approach was proposed by the chairman of an important parliamentary committee who criticized law enforcement agencies for cracking down on crypto miners. Police confiscated mining equipment in a series of raids this week. Authorities claim that coins have … Read more

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan on the Crypto Radar

Several Central Asian countries have taken steps to embrace cryptos one way or another. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are some of the less conspicuous former Soviet republics, but now they are starting to appear on the crypto radar. With certain inherent advantages and some clever new policies, they try to attract investors and integrate into … Read more

India’s Finance Minister Confirms Crypto Not Recognized as Legal Tender, Media Panics

India’s Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, has confirmed that the country’s government will not recognize cryptocurrencies as legal tender, adding that authorities will seek to ramp up efforts to “eliminate” the use of virtual currencies in illicit transactions. Mr. Jaitley’s comments have been misconstrued and embellished throughout the mainstream media, with numerous reports proclaiming that India’s … Read more

South Korea Discusses Cryptocurrency Policies With China’s Central Bank

The South Korean Minister of Strategy and Finance has met with the governor of the People’s Bank of China to discuss and share economic policies including cryptocurrency countermeasures. While China has imposed strict regulations on cryptocurrency trading, including closing down exchanges, South Korea has adopted a less strict approach. Also read: Japan’s DMM Bitcoin Exchange Opens … Read more

Another Post-Soviet Jurisdiction Welcomes Crypto Miners

Following in the footsteps of counterparts from former Soviet countries, government officials in Transnistria have attempted to create crypto-friendly environment in their disputed republic. Newly adopted legislation legalizes cryptocurrency mining and provides incentives for foreign investors. Entrepreneurs, invited to set up mining facilities, are not even required to register a local company. They can take … Read more