Category: Economy & Regulation
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Zambia Launches Crackdown on Crypto Companies
The Bank of Zambia has started to clamp down on cryptocurrency-related businesses, mere days after declaring that it does not view digital coins such as BTC as legal tender. The crackdown began on Oct. 14, when the central bank announced an investigation into Heritagecoin Resources Ltd. for allegedly laundering money, according to local media reports.…
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Despite Setbacks Crypto Wages Still an Option for Russians, Poll Finds
Crypto markets have passed through hard times this year but cryptocurrency remains a viable remuneration option for businesses in the industry and their employees in Russia, new numbers and estimates suggest. The observation is valid for many companies and contractors around the world as a number of platforms now match employers and job seekers in…
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FSB: Crypto-Assets Not a Threat to Global Financial Order
Cryptocurrencies do not pose a threat to global financial stability, but the diverse range of national regulatory regimes throughout the world continues to complicate efforts to establish an international legislative framework overseeing their use, the Financial Stability Board says in a new report. Also Read: Billion-Dollar Startups Flourishing in Switzerland’s ‘Crypto Valley’ Report Advocates ‘Vigilant Monitoring’ In a…
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Billion-Dollar Startups Flourishing in Switzerland’s ‘Crypto Valley’
The top 50 cryptocurrency and blockchain-related companies in Switzerland’s version of Silicon Valley are now worth $44 billion combined, underscoring the steady growth of the Swiss crypto industry. Altogether, cryptocurrency firms employ about 3,000 people throughout the small country. Included among the top 50 are five “unicorns,” or startups with a market valuation of more…
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“Negative Interest” Is the Latest Government Scheme to Deter Saving
Sweden’s central bank has introduced a controversial new measure that will deter its citizens from saving. The oxymoronic “negative interest” now paid out on tax accounts is technically designed to stimulate the economy. In reality, all it will do is encourage people to spend rather than save, boosting government figures for economic growth while disadvantaging…
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Study Finds Growing Number of BATMs in Belgium and the Netherlands
The number of cryptocurrency ATMs in Belgium and the Netherlands is growing, according to newly released data. Amsterdam is leading among major cities in the Benelux region, with 12 machines supporting digital coin transactions. Luxembourg, which is a global center of traditional finances, is lagging behind in terms of available crypto teller services. Also…
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Analysts Suspect Cryptocurrencies Used to Evade US Sanctions in North Korea
During an interview earlier this week, two Washington-based financial intelligence analysts explain that North Korea is using cryptocurrencies to evade US sanctions. The intelligence researchers Lourdes Miranda, and Ross Delston say the Pyŏngyang region is actively trading established digital assets to avoid US financial sanctions that have been imposed since the fifties. Also read: Developer Paul…
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Russian Law Won’t Mention ‘Cryptocurrency’, Russians Won’t Stop Trading
Russia is preparing for the long-awaited legislation tailored to regulate its crypto space. According to the latest reports from Moscow, the term “cryptocurrency” has been taken out of the legal texts. Nevertheless, Russians have no reasons to doubt the existence of the decentralized electronic cash. They have many options to get involved in cryptocurrency, regardless…
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A Third of Humanity Remains Financially Excluded
Unrestricted access to financial services is one of the main preconditions for achieving economic freedom. However, large portions of the planet’s population, especially in the developing world, remain excluded from the traditional banking system. The number of the unbanked or underbanked citizens of the industrialized, digitized nations is also unexpectedly high, now when almost everyone,…
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Netherlands’ Largest Bank ING Group Fined $900M for Money Laundering
This week Dutch authorities revealed to the public that the Netherlands’ largest financial services provider, ING, had violated numerous money laundering laws because they didn’t scrutinize unusual transactions and certain accounts. Also Read: Public Anger Forces Bank CFO to Quit Over Huge Money Laundering Affair Netherlands’ Largest Bank Admits: “ING Clients Used Their Bank Accounts for…