South Korea Releases Official Guidelines for Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Banks

The South Korean government has officially released two sets of previously promised guidelines that specify cryptocurrency regulatory measures. In addition to details of the new real-name system to end anonymous trading of cryptocurrencies, the government also published its anti-money laundering guidelines for banks providing services to cryptocurrency exchanges. Also read: Cryptocurrency Activities Will Be Legal and … Read more

Hydro-Quebec Unable to Meet Energy Demand From Cryptocurrency Miners

Hydro-Quebec, the largest state-owned utility in Canada, appears unable to meet the electricity demand from cryptocurrency miners seeking to establish operations in the energy-rich province. The announcement comes just weeks after the company sought to entice virtual currency miners as a means to bolster the province’s economic outlook, claiming that it had 5,000 megawatts of … Read more

Tax Loophole Closing For South Korean Cryptocurrency Exchanges

The South Korean government is working on taxing cryptocurrency transactions. While the media reports that up to 24.2 percent taxes will be collected this year from crypto exchanges, the regulators say that the tax rates have not been decided. Also read: South Korean Officials Caught Trading On Insider Knowledge of Crypto Regulations What Tax Rates Apply To … Read more

South Korean Exchange Korbit Stops Serving International Citizens

Just recently news.Bitcoin.com reported on South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges implementing new infrastructure systems that comply with the country’s financial regulations. The enforced verification mechanisms will not allow anonymous users to sign up for a Korean-based digital asset exchange and trading platforms must report customer data. Now this week the Korean crypto-exchange, Korbit, has announced it … Read more

Russian Bill Requires Deputies to Declare Their Cryptocurrency Investments

The bill for the regulation of cryptocurrencies in Russia submitted by the finance ministry and the central bank requires State Duma deputies to declare their cryptocurrency investments. Currently, government officials are not required to declare their crypto holdings, according to a recent announcement by the Russian Ministry of Labor. Also read: Cryptocurrency Activities Will Be … Read more

Grayscale Will Launch Stock Split for Bitcoin Trust Shares

This week the sponsor of the Bitcoin Investment Trust, Grayscale Investments has announced the launch of a 91-for-1 stock split of the Trust’s issued and outstanding shares. According to Grayscale, the division will take place on January 22 and shareholders will receive 90 more shares on top of their original shares held. Also read: Markets Update: … Read more

Bill Introduced to Make South Korean Officials Declare Their Crypto Investments

A bill has been introduced in South Korea to require public officials to declare their investments in cryptocurrencies including bitcoin. This initiative follows the recent controversies within the government regarding cryptocurrency regulations, including insider trading and market manipulation. Also read: South Korea Urges 23 Countries, EU, and IMF to Collaborate on Curbing Crypto Trading Bills for … Read more

Indian Crypto Traders Getting Notices From Tax Authority Due to Unreported Investments

The Indian tax authority has sent notices to cryptocurrency investors after discovering that some crypto investments are not reflected on tax returns. The government conducted a survey of crypto trading at the country’s 9 exchanges and found that more than $3.5 billion worth of transactions were traded over a 17-month period. Also read: Despite Multiple Government … Read more

New Research: Laundering of Illicit Funds Less than 1% of Bitcoin Transactions

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center of Sanctions and Illicit Finance in conjunction with blockchain analytics company, Elliptic, has published a study seeking to track the circulations of illicit funds within the bitcoin economy from 2013 to 2016. The research concludes that the share of funds of illicit origin comprises less than one percent … Read more

Russia Ready for Migrant Bitcoin Miners Influx

Despite some indecisiveness about cryptocurrencies on the part of centralized power, Russia has been quietly preparing for a wave of migrant crypto miners from East and West. It’s been said that the country has got what it takes to invite them. A third of the Soviet era power producing capacity is idling, after energy hungry … Read more