TokenPost reporter
Mark Jason Alcala
Stories by Mark Jason Alcala
- UK’s FCA wants to shut down Bitcoin ATMs operating illegally in the country
The FCA said that none of the crypto asset firms registered with us have been approved to offer crypto ATM services, meaning that any of them operating in the UK are doing so illegally and consumers should not be usin…
· Digital Currency
- Russian crypto investors liquidating Bitcoin holdings in UAE
Some Russian investors are reportedly using crypto to invest in UAE real estate while others opted to use local firms to convert their crypto assets into fiat and invest it elsewhere.
· Digital Currency
- Chainalysis launching two crypto sanctions screening tools free of charge
These tools will make enable parties to validate if they’re dealing with cryptocurrency addresses associated with sanctioned entities.
· Digital Currency
- Crypto exchanges in South Korea joining western sanctions by restricting Russian users
Crypto exchanges Gopax, Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, and Korbit have already placed restrictions on Russian IP addresses.
· Insights & Views
- Crypto included in EU’s sanctions against Russia and Belarus
The EU’s amendments to adopt further targeted sanctions and clarified cryptocurrency’s inclusion are meant to address concerns that Russia might use crypto for evading sanctions.
· Regulation
- Crypto-related companies post gains after President Biden signs executive order
Crypto exchange Coinbase surged by up to 10.5 percent at market close while MicroStategy gained 6.4 percent.
· Digital Currency
- Biden signs executive order on crypto calling for a coordinated approach to digital asset policy
The long-awaited directive is the first-of-its-kind that exclusively focused on the growing digital asset sector amidst growing concerns of the lack of regulatory clarity in the industry, which ballooned to more than …
· Regulation
- Bitcoin could benefit from new world monetary order, says Credit Suisse strategist
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent seizure of Russia’s foreign exchange reserves by the G7, might have ushered in a new world monetary order.
· Insights & Views
- Crypto miner Hive to expand Bitcoin hashrate by 95% with Intel’s new ASIC chips
Hive has entered into a manufacturing agreement with an original design manufacturer (ODM) that will integrate the Intel chips into an air-cooled Bitcoin mining system.
· Business
- Bitcoin rises above $41K and can rebound as high as $60K in the coming months
Bitcoin has rebounded since Monday and traded at $41,511.45 at the time of writing.
· Digital Currency
- SEBA Bank exec says clear crypto regulations could accelerate institutional adoption
SEBA Bank Senior Executive Officer Christian Borel predicts the rise of digital asset banks in the future as crypto adoption and demand for crypto-related services increase.
· Insights & Views
- Virginia Senate approves bill allowing banks to offer crypto custody services
House Bill No 263, which was submitted by Delegate Christopher T. Head in January 2022, sought to amend the Code of Virginia to allow eligible banks to offer crypto custody services.
· Regulation
- Bitcoin, Ether, and LVGA token to become de facto legal tender in the Swiss city of Lugano
The Swiss city of Lugano plans to allow citizens to pay for taxes and public service fees in BTC, the stablecoin Tether (USDT), and the LVGA token.
· Digital Currency
- Japan’s Nomura creates new crypto and NFT-focused unit
By establishing the new crypto and NFT-focused unit, Nomura plans to accelerate its business development and deepen its collaboration with global players in the digital asset space.
· Digital Currency
- Ukraine received more than $50M in Bitcoin, Ether, PolkaDot, and NFTs
Data from Merkle Science reveal that BTC and ETH account for around 69 percent of crypto donations.
· Digital Currency
- South Korea’s crypto market balloons to $46B in 2021
A recent study by the country’s chief financial regulator, the Financial Service Commission (FSC), revealed that the South Korean crypto market grew to 55 trillion won or around $45.9 billion by the end of 2021.
· Digital Currency
- Bitcoin soars past $44K while Ether surges above $3K
Despite the ongoing conflict that previously dragged the crypto market down last week, Bitcoin managed to rise by 17 percent on Tuesday.
· Digital Currency
- Crypto exchange Binance to donate $10M to Ukrainian refugees but won’t block Russian accounts
Ukraine’s vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov asked crypto exchanges to block addresses belonging to Russian users.
· Digital Currency
- South Korea has a new $187M metaverse project
The national Metaverse will be used by the Ministry as a platform to expand the virtual industrial growth of cities, media, and education.
· Digital Currency
- Ukrainians turning to crypto as central bank restricts electronic money
With the restrictions in place, Ukrainians are turning to crypto such as the USDT stablecoin while Bitcoin is the crypto of choice for those who want to donate funds for the Ukrainian military.
· Regulation
- Crypto experts reassess Bitcoin’s role in today’s changing landscape
Bitcoin’s price drop during Russia's invasion of Ukraine has raised questions about BTC’s role as an authority-free zone, a safe haven asset, and as a resource for the unbanked.
· Digital Currency
- Bitcoin, Ethereum, and crypto market recover after Russia hints it’s willing to negotiate with Ukraine
Russia’s military operation against its neighbor wiped out around $150 billion from the crypto market on November 24.
· Digital Currency
- Mining of Bitcoin, Ether, and other energy-intensive cryptos could face restrictions in the EU
As the call to impose a bloc-wide ban on crypto mining gained momentum, crypto advocates expressed their concern that regulators might be rushing into a ban when regulations would have sufficed.
· Regulation
- EU planning to place crypto firms under the AML authority’s oversight
An EU diplomat said that the plan to include crypto firms under the AML watchdog’s oversight is aimed at providing more explicit coverage of crypto transactions.
· Regulation
- Investors should buy stocks not gold, Bitcoin, or cash during wars, warned Warren Buffet
For Warren Buffet, investing in businesses through stock ownership is still the best way to build wealth over time.
· Digital Currency
- Bitcoin donations supporting Ukraine’s military soar to $400K in just 12 hours
People from all over the world are showing their support for the Ukrainian army’s fight against Russian forces by sending crypto donations.
· Digital Currency
- Russia’s Ministry of Finance’s proposed crypto bill will restrict trading only to license platforms
The Finance Ministry’s move highlights its determination to regulate crypto mining and trading as opposed to the Bank of Russia’s preference of implementing a full crypto ban.
· Digital Currency
- Bitcoin and Ether decline after Russia launches ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine
Prices of major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) suffered significant losses Russia launched missile attacks around several areas in Ukraine
· Digital Currency
- US Secret Service’s new crypto hub aims to promote public awareness on digital assets security
The U.S. Secret Service, which has been safeguarding the integrity of the economy since its creation in 1865, is keeping up with the times and is now dealing with modern threats such as the illicit use of crypto.
· Digital Currency
- Senator wants Bitcoin to be granted legal tender status in Mexico to enhance financial inclusion
Indira Kempis, a senator representing Nuevo León state, is convinced that Mexico should grant Bitcoin legal tender status as adopting the crypto could potentially drive global financial inclusion.
· Digital Currency
- London Stock Exchange Group acquires TORA for $325M
The acquisition will enhance LSEG’s trading capabilities with the addition of digital assets and opens up the possibility of offering crypto and non–fungible token (NFT) trading in the future.
· Digital Currency
- Bitbase to install crypto ATMs in Venezuela
Crypto services company Bitbase is currently in talks with the government and the country’s banking authorities to allow it to offer crypto ATM services in Venezuela,
· Business
- Most of the Bitcoin from crypto wallets connected to the Canadian protests has been transferred
The combined remaining crypto balance of the identified addresses is only around 6 BTC.
· Regulation
- Bitcoin’s rally could happen in 2024, says Huobi co-founder
Huobi co-founder Du Jun explained that Bitcoin bull markets are closely tied to halving, which occurs around every four years.
· Digital Currency
- Italy announces new rules for crypto firms
The rules outlined registration and reporting requirements for virtual asset service providers (VASP) that are aligned with the European Union’s fifth AML directive and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guideline…
· Regulation
- Fed bans its top officials from crypto trading
The rules are aimed at preventing a repeat of last year’s ethics scandal where officials actively made trades, often ahead of key policy decisions.
· Regulation
- Colorado to accept Bitcoin and Ethereum for taxes and other payments
Governor Jared Polis said that Colorado plans to accept Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and other cryptos for taxes and other payments by summer.
· Regulation
- Crypto exchange PDAX secures $50M in a funding round led by Tiger Global
PDAX will use the fresh capital to expand its infrastructure for the digital asset economy.
· Business
- Ether has been more volatile than Bitcoin since 2018
While Ethereum currently dominates the market share for decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) projects, there is a possibility that its share could diminish over time with the emergence of competit…
· Insights & Views
- Crypto exchange Coinbase launches cash out feature for users in Mexico
Users in Mexico can cash out the crypto they received in local currency free of charge until March 2022.
· Business