Bank of Russia Steps Up Efforts to Issue Digital Ruble Due to Sanctions

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has accelerated the development of its digital ruble in response to Western sanctions. The monetary authority now intends to pilot transactions with the new version of the national fiat in early 2023 instead of 2024, as originally planned. CBR to Launch Transactions, Smart Contracts With Digital Ruble as Early … Read more

India’s Central Bank RBI to Adopt a ‘Graded Approach’ to Digital Currency Launch

India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has proposed to adopt a “graded approach” to launching the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). The RBI also said it is exploring the pros and cons of introducing a digital rupee in India. RBI on the Upcoming Digital Rupee Launch The Reserve Bank of India … Read more

Crypto Miners Account for Over 2% of Electricity Consumption in Russia, Estimate Suggests

The share of crypto miners in Russia’s power consumption structure already exceeds 2%, according to a new government estimate. On this backdrop, the country’s industry ministry believes it’s time to bring the sector out of the shadows and regulate it. Crypto Miners Burn More Electricity Than Russian Farmers Miners extracting digital currencies account for more … Read more

Korean Government Considers Imposing Unified Listing Standard on Crypto Exchanges After LUNA, UST Collapse

The South Korean government is considering imposing tougher regulations, including a unified listing standard, on all cryptocurrency exchanges in the country following the collapse of cryptocurrency terra (LUNA) and stablecoin terrausd (UST). Korean Government’s Meeting With Cryptocurrency Exchanges The South Korean government is shifting responsibility for the crash of cryptocurrency terra (LUNA) and algorithmic stablecoin … Read more

Senators Introduce Bill to Limit Use of China’s Digital Currency in the US — ‘This Is a Major Financial and Surveillance Risk’

Several U.S. lawmakers have introduced a bill to prohibit app platforms in the country from hosting apps that enable transactions using China’s central bank digital currency, the digital yuan. “The Chinese Communist Party will use its digital currency to control and spy on anyone who uses it. We can’t give China that chance,” said the … Read more

Binance to Advise Kazakhstan on Crypto Regulations

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance will assist the government of Kazakhstan in efforts to regulate the country’s crypto space. The global coin trading platform will also help with the integration of the domestic banking system with the expanding digital assets market. Kazakhstan to Cooperate With Binance on the Development of Its Crypto Sector Binance, the world’s leading … Read more

Chamber of Representatives in Paraguay Advances Crypto Bill

Cryptocurrency regulation in Paraguay is progressing steadily, as a crypto bill introduced in December has been approved by the Chamber of Representatives in the country. The bill, which contains definitions and rules for cryptocurrency mining, one of the hot topics in Paraguay due to the cheap electricity costs, will be passed to the Senate to … Read more

SEC Drops the Ball on Crypto Regulation and There Are Long-Term Consequences, Says Commissioner

A commissioner with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned that the securities market regulator has dropped the ball on crypto regulation. “We’re not allowing innovation to develop and experimentation to happen in a healthy way, and there are long-term consequences of that failure,” said the commissioner. SEC Commissioner Warns About the ‘Failure’ … Read more

No Tax Amnesty for Russian Crypto Miners as Lawmakers Withdraw Proposal

A new draft law has replaced an earlier bill introducing a one-year tax and customs amnesty for cryptocurrency miners in Russia. The initial proposal has been withdrawn on the grounds that the tax break would have resulted in losses for the state budget. Revised Crypto Mining Legislation Submitted to Russian Parliament Without Amnesty for Miners … Read more

Thailand Exempts Crypto Transfers From VAT Until End of 2023

Authorities in Thailand have formally introduced a value-added tax (VAT) exemption for transfers of cryptocurrencies through government-approved exchanges. The tax break, in force until the end of next year, will also apply to digital currency issued by the Bank of Thailand. Royal Decrees Enforce VAT Exemption for Crypto Trading in Thailand Investors moving cryptocurrencies and … Read more