Thailand Taking Steps to Regulate ICOs

As part of its balanced approach, Thailand is taking further steps to regulate initial coin offerings by expanding current guidelines. Discussions on the framework between relevant institutions have already started, with a public hearing to be conducted soon. The first ICO to be carried out by a locally registered company is scheduled for March. The … Read more

Malta Extends Scope of Proposed Virtual Currency Regulations

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has published a ”feedback statement” regarding its proposal for regulatory guidelines governing collective investment schemes involving virtual currencies (VCs) operating in the European archipelago nation. The statement has been issued following a consultation period from the 23rd of October 2017 to the 17th of November – in which the … Read more

More than Half of Russians Know About Bitcoin Now

More than half of Russians have some knowledge about bitcoin, according to a new survey. Awareness is higher among young people and in major cities. Three quarters of the Muscovites feel informed about the leading cryptocurrency thanks to 185,000 publications in news outlets. Bitcoin is the most popular word in Russian social media, another study shows. … 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

Markets Update: The Top 68 Cryptos Dive During the January Slump

Cryptocurrency markets are having a tough time during the third week of the new year as a vast majority of digital assets are down 20 percent or more. Currently, the BTC/USD global average is roughly $12,050 after touching a high of $14,300 just 24-hours prior. The sudden losses started taking place yesterday evening when bitcoin markets … Read more

Luno Exchange Bank Account Frozen by Malaysian Tax Officials

Over the past few weeks, regulators and financial institutions have been reacting to the worldwide popularity of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In another regulatory-related matter, this week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the trading platform Luno had its bank account frozen by the country’s tax officials. Also read: Federal Reserve Chair: “Fed Doesn’t Really Play Any … Read more

Moscow Exchange Ready for “Fast and Easy” Crypto Derivatives Trading

With authorities in Moscow still trying to find their bearings on Bitcoin, the largest Russian exchange has announced its readiness to organize trading of cryptocurrency-based financial instruments. It would be faster and easier, MOEX said in comments to local media. Russia’s Central Bank, however, has rejected calls from the Finance Ministry to allow buying and … Read more

Moscow Exchange Ready for “Fast and Easy” Crypto Trading

With authorities in Moscow still trying to find their bearings on Bitcoin, the largest Russian exchange has announced its readiness to organize cryptocurrency trading. It would be faster and easier, MOEX said in comments to local media. Russia’s Central Bank, however, has rejected calls from the Finance Ministry to allow buying and selling crypto derivatives … Read more

The Mystery of the ”Lost” Bulgarian Bitcoins Sparks Questions Again

Missing, stolen, lost or buried…these are all adjectives attracting attention when attached to the noun “cash”, physical or digital. Comments and shares on social media have revived curiosity and sparked questions about one particular monetary mystery – what happened with the 200,000 bitcoins Bulgaria seized from gangsters? As with any urban legend, a mix of facts, claims … Read more

Vietnam Expedites Cryptocurrency Legal Framework – Ready End of January

The government of Vietnam has taken steps to accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrency regulation that will affect Bitcoin. The executive power in Hanoi has insisted that the framework should be ready by the end of January. Amendments to the tax code are expected to help tap into proceeds from “virtual property and digital money”. Also … Read more