Category: Economy & Regulation

  • Venezuelan Banks Start Using the Petro to Denominate Customer Balances

    Venezuelan Banks Start Using the Petro to Denominate Customer Balances

    Venezuela’s controversial national cryptocurrency, the petro, is slowly permeating the everyday lives of its citizens. The currency, each unit of which is supposedly backed by a barrel of oil, has begun appearing on screens when Venezuelan customers log in to their bank accounts. The move marks the latest attempt by President Nicolás Maduro’s government to…

  • ICO Roundup: SEC Annual Report, Israeli Offerings Raise $600 Million, Rapper Sued

    ICO Roundup: SEC Annual Report, Israeli Offerings Raise $600 Million, Rapper Sued

    The annual report of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement has detailed the actions taken against initial coin offerings during the preceding financial year. Also, a report published by One Alpha estimates that Israeli ICOs have raised more than $600 million during 2018, and 25 investors have filed a lawsuit accusing rapper T.I. and his business…

  • Professional Course Prepares Russian Lawyers for the Cryptocurrency Industry

    Professional Course Prepares Russian Lawyers for the Cryptocurrency Industry

    Russian companies have organized an enhancement course to prepare legal experts for the challenges of working in the cryptocurrency space. The oldest university of economics in the country, two law firms providing services to digital businesses, and both houses of parliament are behind the project to help lawyers understand the specifics of the industry.  …

  • Arbitrators to Resolve Disputes in the Russian Cryptocurrency Industry

    Arbitrators to Resolve Disputes in the Russian Cryptocurrency Industry

    A leading industry organization in Russia has decided to establish an arbitration body to look into disputes within the digital economy, including matters related to cryptocurrency transactions, as well as rights and responsibilities in token sales and the implementation of smart contracts. Also read: Ukraine Plans to Fully Legalize Cryptocurrencies Within Three Years Industry Organization…

  • Russia’s Financial Watchdog to Oversee the Cryptocurrency Industry

    Russia’s Financial Watchdog to Oversee the Cryptocurrency Industry

    Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service has revealed that it will regulate cryptocurrency-related transactions in the country, with a senior official saying that the agency will also oversee the broader cryptocurrency industry, in accordance with recommendations issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Also read: Ukraine Plans to Fully Legalize Cryptocurrencies Within Three Years Rosfinmonitoring…

  • Ukraine Plans to Fully Legalize Cryptocurrencies Within Three Years

    Ukraine Plans to Fully Legalize Cryptocurrencies Within Three Years

    The government in Kiev intends to legalize cryptocurrencies and comprehensively regulate the fintech sector as part of a new public policy developed by the economy ministry. The process may take up to three years to complete but eventually the industry built around digital assets should become a legitimate part of the country’s economy. Also read:…

  • Spain Approves Bill Requiring Disclosure of Cryptocurrency Assets

    Spain Approves Bill Requiring Disclosure of Cryptocurrency Assets

    The Spanish government has approved a draft anti-fraud law that, among other things, will require investors in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin cash to declare all of the assets they hold at home and abroad, according to local media reports. The intention is to ring-fence taxes and prevent tax evasion, particularly on an asset class that…

  • Former Russian Economics Minister Sees Huge Potential for Cryptocurrency

    Former Russian Economics Minister Sees Huge Potential for Cryptocurrency

    Herman Gref, the former Russian minister of economics and trade and the current CEO of Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, recently articulated his expectation that cryptocurrency will have a profoundly transformative effect upon society in coming decades. Despite his longer-term outlook, Gref also expressed his belief that cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology still needs up to…

  • Russian Lawmakers Drop ‘Mining’ References in Digital Assets Bill

    Russian Lawmakers Drop ‘Mining’ References in Digital Assets Bill

    Russian lawmakers have dropped the term “mining” from a bill to regulate digital assets, following the earlier removal of references to “cryptocurrency.” In addition, the proposed legislation no longer covers the taxation of mining profits, as such matters will fall under the oversight of the Federal Tax Service. Also read: Despite Setbacks Crypto Wages Still…

  • Report: Emerging Markets See Sharp Growth in Cashless Transactions

    Report: Emerging Markets See Sharp Growth in Cashless Transactions

    South Africa is the most cryptocurrency-friendly country in Africa, according to the 2018 World Payments Report by French banking group BNB Paribas and IT company Capgemini. Compared to other major economies on the continent, South Africa has allowed digital currency-based payments, trades and investments to flourish almost unhindered. Also read: African Cryptocurrency Exchanges Forced to Step-Up…