Trading Sanctions Imposed on Tezos Co-Founder Amid FINRA Settlement

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), has taken action against Tezos co-founder Arthur Breitman. The Wall Street regulator has fined Mr. Breitman $20,000 USD, banning Tezos from associating with broker-dealers for two years. It’s part of a settlement following FINRA’s accusations that the crypto company’s co-founder made false statements regarding the project whilst employed at … Read more

Bitfinex Rejects All Present and Future Venezuelan Cryptocurrencies

Bitfinex has announced that it will not list or transact Venezuela’s new “oil-backed cryptocurrency” or any other tokens that the country may issue in the future, citing U.S. sanctions. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has reportedly set the minimum investment amount for the petro initial coin offering.  Also read: South Korea Clarifies Position After Reports of Possible … Read more

U.S. Treasury Plans to Add Cryptocurrency Addresses to the SDN List

This week the U.S. Treasury Department issued guidelines on how the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) could add cryptocurrency addresses to the country’s sanction list. Also read: New Tools Help Crypto Traders Make Smarter Decisions Cryptocurrency Addresses to be Added to the U.S. Sanctions List The U.S. government may soon have the ability to add … Read more

Bittrex Bars Users Residing in 5 Countries Under US Embargo

The Bittrex exchange is heading in a rather interesting direction. While the company is looking to make a positive impact, its updated terms of service will undoubtedly raise a lot of questions. More specifically, prohibiting customers in sanction-ridden countries from using this platform sets a dangerous precedent. Bittrex Makes Another Interesting Change In the past year or … Read more

Russia to “Tame and Test” Crypto Technologies in Crimea

A proposal to “tame” crypto technologies in Crimea has been made in Russia’s parliament this week. A local representative of the Russian Association of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain told deputies the republic’s jurisdiction can be used to “test the new phenomenon”. RACIB has been working on a roadmap to implement the “Crypto-Crimea” plan and set up … Read more

Why Venezuela’s New National Cryptocurrency El Petro Will Fail

Washington and legacy media are in a tizzy about Venezuela reportedly thwarting international sanctions by way of a dreaded state-backed cryptocurrency. A closer look reveals several stumbling blocks for the Bolivarian Republic: nonexistent reserves, hyperinflation, centralization, and the impossibility of actual redemption. The attempt will fail, if it’s ever rolled out, adding woes to a region … Read more

All Major Korean Cryptocurrency Exchanges Fail Privacy Tests – 30 Days to Improve

The South Korean Communications Commission has conducted a survey of major cryptocurrency exchanges in the country and found them to have insufficient customer data protection. Eight exchanges have been sanctioned, with 30 days to resolve their issues and safeguard their systems. Also read: Cryptocurrency Activities Will Be Legal and Tax Free in Belarus Starting in March … 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

Cryptoruble Delayed – Russian Central Bank Worried It Could Bypass Regulations

Russia’s national cryptocurrency, the cryptoruble, is unlikely to be created in the foreseeable future, according to the Bank of Russia. The central bank believes that it could be used to bypass regulations. Meanwhile, the finance ministry wants to use the cryptoruble for cross-border payments. Also read: South Korean Officials Caught Trading On Insider Knowledge of Crypto … Read more

Venezuela’s Oil-Backed Cryptocurrency Declared Illegal

The Venezuelan parliament has declared the oil-backed cryptocurrency created by President Nicolas Maduro illegal and in violation of the country’s Constitution. Maduro’s decree to create the national cryptocurrency, the petro, has been declared null and void. Also read: South Korea Urges 23 Countries, EU, and IMF to Collaborate on Curbing Crypto Trading Venezuelan Parliament Declared … Read more