Consumer Affairs Report Shows 70% Spike in Japanese Crypto Inquiries

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has released its 2019 report and noted a significant spike in inquiries concerning cryptocurrency related issues last year. The report details a 70% increase in 2018 in regard to consumer queries largely stemming from exchange issues. Moreover, over the last two quarters of 2019, the Japanese yen paired with various … Read more

VPN Providers Defy Order to Connect to Russia’s Internet Censor

Russian regulators have once again moved to expand oversight of the online space in an attempt to ensure compliance with various restrictions Moscow is trying to impose. But as in other cases, their efforts have been met with resistance. Over a dozen VPN platforms, popular among crypto enthusiasts and other privacy-conscious users, have refused to … Read more

Russia Prepares to Test Cryptocurrencies in Four of Its Regions

The Russian Federation, which is yet to regulate digital assets, is now planning to allow four of its regions to test innovations that are not covered by its current legislation. A bill drafted by the Economy ministry envisages the establishment of regulatory sandboxes there. The special economic zones will allow companies, entrepreneurs and authorities to … Read more

Will Belarus Be the First Country With Nuclear-Powered Bitcoin Mining?

Cryptocurrency mining has lost some of its profitability during the prolonged bear market of the past year. However, not all investors are short-sighted. Belarus, for example, is not giving up on its intentions to develop the digital economy, of which the crypto space is a part of. Minsk thinks it has enough resources and soon … Read more

Lithuania to Adopt Crypto Regulations Even Stricter Than the EU’s

Lithuania, one of the Baltic tigers that has in past few years demonstrated it doesn’t shy away from new technologies and the digital economy, is preparing to introduce stricter rules for crypto companies. The government in Vilnius is working on amendments that according to officials will go beyond the requirements of the latest, fifth EU … Read more

Regulators Tackle Businesses in Europe’s Crypto-Friendly Nations

There’s a group of countries on the Old Continent that have recognized the potential of the newly forming cryptoconomy. In the past couple of years, nations such as Malta, Switzerland and Estonia have been making efforts to attract businesses from the nascent industry, often rebuffed elsewhere. However, registering and running a crypto company, even in … Read more

In the Daily: Mt. Gox Claims, Crypto Derivatives, Facebook Vacancy, Swiss Regulations

Mt. Gox rehabilitation trustee Nobuaki Kobayashi has reviewed the claims filed by the exchange’s creditors and we’ve included his announcement in The Daily. Also, Caspian launches crypto derivatives trading in partnership with Deribit, Facebook is looking to hire a blockchain lawyer, and Swiss lawmakers have tasked the federal government with adapting existing regulations to cryptocurrencies. … Read more

Lithuania Central Bank’s Policy Update Opens the Door for Crypto Payments

The central bank of Lithuania has updated its position on cryptocurrencies and tokens issued through initial coin offerings. The regulator has revised the definition of these assets specifying the conditions under which financial institutions can operate with digital money and accept crypto payments. Also read: Court Rules Brazil’s Bitcoin Max Exchange Can Keep Bank Account … Read more

In the Daily: Liberstad Coin, Mining Contracts, Luxembourg Law

In this edition of The Daily, we look at Liberstad’s progress toward building a libertarian community in Norway. The city has just issued its own digital coin. Also, crypto mining contracts have been classified as securities in the Canadian province of Quebec. And in Europe, Luxembourg has adopted a law that protects crypto traders and … Read more