Regulation

Earlier this week, the New York Attorney General’s office released a report on the state of the cryptocurrency marketplace in the state, called the New York Virtual Markets Integrity Report. The report took a look at how several cryptocurrency...

In a letter sent from the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday, U.S. lawmakers are calling on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to issue more specific guidelines for taxes on digital assets. The letter lays out exactly what...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed Thursday that it has, once again, postponed its decision regarding the Cboe Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). However, the SEC has initiated proceedings to determine whether to approve or deny the ETF....

It’s the word on the crypto community’s collective mind: Regulation. And for the U.K.’s Right Honorable Nicky Morgan MP, Chair of the Treasury Committee, cryptocurrency is a wild “wild west.” Volatility in the field isn’t new information, and neither...

The Texas State Securities Board issued three emergency cease and desist orders Tuesday, Sept. 18, to shut down a Russian cryptocurrency scam, charge DigitalBank and two principals for threatening immediate and irreparable harm to the public, and charge a...

The Office of the New York State Attorney General (NY AG) has published a report announcing the referral of three major cryptocurrency exchanges to the U.S. Department of Financial Services (DFS) for potential violations of state cryptocurrency regulations. Published...

Earlier this week, privacy browser Brave took a rather bold step by filing a privacy complaint against Google in the U.K. and Eire. While Brave’s intentions remain unknown, one must ask: Were the complaints lodged for the greater good...

Making its way into the mainstream, blockchain continues to garner attention from governments around the world. On Sept. 13, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) partnered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in an effort to promote...

Local cryptocurrency exchange operators in Mexico will now be required to secure a permit from the Bank of Mexico, according to the Diario Oficial de la Federación. Mexico Aims for Crypto Relevance The Mexican government is making quick strides to...

The South Dakota Division of Banking has approved BitGo Trust Company to serve as a public trust company in the state and qualified custodian for digital assets, according to a press release. Filling a Missing Piece of Crypto Market...

As Capitol Hill learns to parent the budding young toddler that is the cryptocurrency industry, some of the industry’s biggest hitters have joined hands to form The Blockchain Association—a lobbying group intending to curry “pro-innovation” favor with U.S. lawmakers....

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is charging two crypto-related entities with registration failures, in what it considers a first for both enforcement actions. TokenLot Hit with Unregistered Broker-Dealers The first to be hit with charges is Michigan-based TokenLot,...

After a long period of silence and uncertainty, the U.S. government has stated that at least two initial coin offerings (ICOs) are not exempt from security laws. Howey vs SEC The ruling comes after ICO participants from Recoin and...

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will host its first-ever fintech conference, Oct. 3-4, at its headquarters in Washington D.C. Registration for the event is now open. FinTech Forward 2018 The CFTC’s LabCFTC and the Office of Customer...

The U.S Securities and Exchange Commission halted two cryptocurrency-backed securities on Sunday following concerns of “market confusion” among participants. ETFs Remain a Gray Zone According to the SEC notice, XBT Provider’s Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded notes (ETNs), Bitcoin Tracker One...

EU finance ministers have sidelined a think tank report calling for stricter cryptocurrency regulation within the European Union, citing a need for caution in developing a nuanced approach to the potential risks presented by the cryptocurrency market. The EU’s...

The Chinese cryptocurrency ban is proving to be far more difficult for regulators to enforce than anticipated. The Central Bank of China released a July report announcing the success of the country’s cryptocurrency ban, stating that the influence of...

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), has published a corporate plan that describes a vision for the country’s economic future as well as its intentions to regulate the cryptocurrency market. Governing the Crypto Trading Market The watchdog identified initial...

With public adoption on the rise, international cryptocurrency regulations continue to develop. On Sept. 4, Iran legitimized cryptocurrency mining as an industry–propelling local Bitcoin prices to new, record highs. Crypto Industry Gains Global Traction in Legitimization The Iranian government...

The European Union is currently investigating the potential benefits of adopting a set of common rules regarding the distribution and trading of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, with a report calling for stricter disclosure roles set to be considered by...

A Queensland-based investment company has come under the Australian Securities Exchange’s (ASX) radar after seeking over $15 million in an initial coin offering (ICO) for a cryptocurrency exchange. A Suspicious Expansion Earlier this year, Byte Power Group (BPG), a...

Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has pulled the reins in on aspiring and existing cryptocurrency exchanges by implementing a more rigorous screening process for risk-management procedures, according to Japan Times. The new order is supplementary to the Payment Services Act of...

This week, South Korean lawmakers observed the government’s confusing stance on distributed ledger applications, with blockchain technology promoted across the board and ICO projects facing strict crackdowns. In response, Korean representatives have called for new, minimum guidelines on token...

As it evolves into one of the world’s leading hubs for cryptocurrency exchanges, Brazil’s government is taking questionable action to investigate potential money laundering usage. Brazil’s Top 10 Crypto Exchanges Receive Subpoenas A number of cryptocurrency exchanges have received...

Since the ICO fervor of 2017, regulators worldwide have increased scrutiny on emerging cryptocurrency projects and investment schemes. On Aug. 28, U.S. regulators released an update on their coordinated cryptocurrency crackdown. NASAA Updates ‘Operation Cryptosweep’ The North American Securities...

Despite an infamous crackdown on digital assets, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has created a task force to explore avenues and unique use-cases pertaining to blockchain technology, artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies. Task Force to Regulate Burgeoning Sector The...

After WeChat and Tencent distanced themselves from cryptocurrency-related activities and businesses last week, the Chinese search engine Baidu stated it would actively work to eradicate cryptocurrency footprints from Chinese internet forums. Ban It All! According to China Times, Baidu...

Widely recognized security expert and cryptocurrency researcher Andreas Antonopoulos recently said in a Q&A session that he is against Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and their potential impact on the crypto market. With ETFs, large-scale institutional investors and retail traders...

Maintaining its positive, yet careful, stance on cryptocurrencies, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs is considering making all unauthorized cryptocurrencies a criminally-liable offense, according to local outlet Izvestia. Russia Seeks Crypto-Criminals The Russian publication collected several documents about the local...

While the broader cryptocurrency community awaited the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision on Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), the watchdog rejected all nine applications made by three different players in one sweeping move on Aug. 22. SEC’s...

Yesterday, nine Bitcoin ETF rejections were issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In a possible change of heart, the SEC has placed the Bitcoin ETF denials under review. Bitcoin ETFs Still on the Horizon The U.S. Securities...

Despite a nationwide crackdown on cryptocurrencies already in place, the Chinese government went one step further and passed a decree forbidding all crypto-related events in Beijing’s financial district. No More Crypto Events According to local news outlet South China Morning...

The central Bank of Thailand (BoT) revealed on Wednesday plans to introduce a state-issued cryptocurrency on R3’s Corda blockchain. The move signifies the first such development in the South East Asian region. Thailand’s Hopes for Economic Boost As per...

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is blowing the whistle on of a new Bitcoin blackmail scam—one purportedly targeting men with a disposition for extramarital “activity.” According to the government’s consumer protection watchdog, allegedly unfaithful men are being sent letters...

WeChat, the Chinese messenger app owned by Tencent, has banned several blockchain and cryptocurrency media accounts. Jinse, which is supported by Node Capital, and Deepchain, a website backed by multiple token funds, were both affected by the ban, according...

The South Korean National Assembly has kickstarted an “extraordinary” meeting for discussing ICO regulation, cryptocurrency and blockchain frameworks, as well as other steps to support optimal growth of the digital assets sector, Business Korea reported. Korea’s Cryptocurrency Push The...

Retail investors have long awaited a Bitcoin ETF to draw in an influx of new institutional capital. On Aug. 22, the SEC denied nine Bitcoin ETF proposals from ProShares and Direxion. This article was co-authored by Avi Felman and Jonathan...

Cryptocurrency exchanges are taking a page from successful stock markets, forming a working group to oversee the unregulated digital asset exchange space, according to Business Insider. Create the New Financial Market While it isn’t confirmed, the logical sequel to...

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In fact, you’ve probably received so many emails about the update in May that the mere mention of it makes you shudder....

Crypto funds have been launching at a record pace, with more than 90 new crypto funds having launched this year alone. At this rate, there will be 165 new crypto funds launched this year, more than the record 156...

In advance of his plans to present an ICO-related bill to Congress this year, Republican representative Warren Davidson invited a select group of crypto heavyweights to Capitol Hill to discuss future legislation. Davidson, who represents Ohio’s 8th congressional district,...

The CEO of Switzerland’s largest stock exchange, Thomas Zeeb, speaks on the bourse’s latest strategic decision. Last week, SIX Trading made waves after announcing intent to offer cryptocurrency trading to institutional investors. While the news sparked a bounce in...

The Bitcoin ETF has been one of the biggest stories of 2018 in the crypto space. However, a similar product already exists and with it, investors in U.S. markets are able to allocate more funds into the Bitcoin market...

The regulatory scrutiny over ICOs has led to the arrival of token “airdrops,” or free tokens in exchange for a few marketing efforts. However, a recent ruling by the SEC may end this augmenting form of generating hype for...

The cryptocurrency situation in Venezuela received a push on Tuesday, Aug. 14, after President Nicolás Maduro announced that the state-issued Petro token is legally a unit-of-account in the crisis-stricken country, ABC International reports. Maduro’s Giant Cryptocurrency Experiment Launched in February...

Seven cryptocurrency businesses were approved by Thai regulators, Aug. 16, to legally conduct digital asset operations as part of the country’s shift toward optimizing the local blockchain, ICO and cryptocurrency ecosystem. Thailand’s Cryptocurrency Push According to the Thai SEC, seven...

The European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs has called for the creation of strict regulations pertaining to initial coin offerings (ICOs). Parliament Members Call for Regulations In a report published Aug. 10, select Members of the European...

Spearheading development to establish Jeju Island as a blockchain and cryptocurrency hub, Governor Won Hee-ryong issued a formal request to the Korean government, Aug. 14, to designate the island as a special economic zone for the burgeoning digital asset...

In yet another effort to supplement a thorough understanding and adoption of distributed ledger system, the Communist Party of China (CPC) released a “primer” on blockchain technology on Aug. 13, 2018. Blockchain Education for Officials As noted in the...

The ICO model will soon be rendered redundant by a series of new token offering models focusing on security, transparency, and regulatory compliance. An explosion of token offering innovation is underway, with several new models emerging as prime contenders...

Fraudulent ICOs have stolen billions in investor capital, damaging market sentiment and capturing negative attention from strong-handed regulators around the world. There’s no doubt that the shape of ICOs is changing–but what role will regulators play in the future...

Thailand’s forward-leaning crypto policy has catalyzed rapid blockchain platform development, with the Thai SEC receiving 20 applications for new digital asset exchanges and more than 50 applications for token offerings since launching new regulatory framework in July. The crypto...

On June 26, the SEC received an application from Cboe Futures Exchange to launch the world’s first Bitcoin ETF. Initially scheduled for a decision next week, the SEC has now postponed the application’s deadline until late September. Bitcoin ETF...

Recently there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the possibility of the Bitcoin ETF and although this type of buzz isn’t new to Bitcoin enthusiasts, this ETF prospect is becoming more likely. History of the Bitcoin ETF Ever since Bitcoin...

US SEC Commissioner Heston Peirce — one of the four SEC commissioners currently considering the future of a potential Bitcoin ETF — publicly announced that there is “no reason” why the regulatory body would not allow the product to...

In a report to President Trump entitled “A Financial System That Creates Economic Opportunities Nonbank Financials, Fintech, and Innovation”, the US Treasury described blockchain and distributed ledger technology as “promising innovations”. Its recommendation regarding cryptocurrency, however, is less clear....

Emerging cryptocurrency regulations are putting greater scrutiny on exchanges and companies worldwide. Starting August 1, 2018, Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb will no longer issue new virtual accounts due to the failure to renew a banking contract. South Korea Cracks...

Several cryptocurrency investors and analysts believe the first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) will not hit the US markets until 2019, regardless of the involvement of VanEck and Cboe. Why is 2018 Unlikely? Last week, the US Securities and Exchange...

The Chamber of Digital Commerce (CDC), an American advocacy group released a collaborative research effort on July 30, 2018, containing several proposed guidelines to ensure a “responsible growth” of the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry. CDC’s Digital Token Push As published...

Investment giant VanEck responded publicly to the SEC’s concerns over their pending Bitcoin ETF application — fanning the flames of what may be the commission’s most heated proposal to date. In a letter of response to the SEC’s Staff...

At the last G20 summit in March 2018, financial leadership from twenty of the world’s most significant economies had wildly divergent opinions about the validity and risk of cryptocurrencies. While some countries feared that official actions by the group...

The SEC has announced the rejection of the Winklevoss twins application for a Bitcoin ETF, marking the second time a crypto exchange-traded fund application by the Gemini exchange founders has been denied. The rule change request filing, submitted by...

Institutional solutions to cryptocurrency investing are on the rise. On July 24, 2018, Bitwise filed an application for a  cryptocurrency-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) with regulatory authorities in the U.S. Bitwise HOLD 10 Cryptocurrency Index Fund Bitwise filed an application...

On August 10th, 2018, the SEC will announce their decision to either approve, deny or extend the decision-making period on Cboe/VanEck/Solid X’s Bitcoin ETF. As that historic date rapidly approaches, both excitement and chaos regarding its details have ramped...

HotelsInIran.com (“Hotels in Iran”), a major Iranian hotel booking platform, began accepting payments in cryptocurrency subsequent to the imposition of additional sanctions by the U.S. on Iran and Russia in July 2018. Adoption of Bitcoin in Regions With Poor...

South Korea’s financial authority confirmed on July 19, 2018, the implementation of a policymaking department focused exclusively on blockchain technology and related domains. Rising Technology “Leads Financial Innovation” As reported on The Korea Times, the country’s Financial Services Commission...

On June 26th, 2018, the Cboe submitted a Bitcoin ETF proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In order to better understand the public sentiment, the SEC publically shared the submitted document with an invitation to comment. The...

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the East Asian country’s central bank, announced on July 19, 2018, the import of cryptocurrency miners to the nation is indefinitely suspended.

Among the bustle of crypto-related activities in Washington this week, an important announcement surfaced from Mick Mulvaney, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

San Francisco-based Coinbase backpedaled on its Security and Exchange Commision (SEC) approval announcement after previously exciting a furor in cryptocurrency circles for claiming the contrary. Coinbase Backpedals Statements On July 17, 2018, CryptoSlate reported that cryptocurrency exchange behemoth Coinbase...

Famously touted as the “Crypto Valley,” the Swiss city of Zug is losing sheen in favor of other cities and jurisdictions as cryptocurrency startups reportedly face difficulties in administration and governances in the European country. Switzerland Faces Brain Drain...

Cryptocurrency was all the buzz on Capitol Hill on Thursday. In two separate committee hearings, U.S. legislatures heard testimony on critical issues for the crypto-community.  The meetings held on July 18, 2018, discussed the efficacy of the decentralized economy,...

Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary, AKA “Mr. Wonderful,” said on CNBC’s Fast Money that he firmly believes not a dime from institutional investors will come into the crypto market, at least in the short-term. Custodianship Isn’t Enough, Regulators Have...

The current Bitcoin ETF proposal awaiting SEC has captured a significant amount of attention within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The seventh-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Stellar, gained global traction as a unique, decentralized value exchange protocol. Announced July 17, 2018, Stellar is the first cryptocurrency to receive Sharia compliance certification and integrate with Middle Eastern financial firms. Sharia...

Collectively, the G20 strives to create policies that are beneficial for the world economy.

Through three key acquisitions, Coinbase has gained regulatory approval to expand its asset offering and list tokens classified as securities.

Reports suggest the U.K. may be en route to dominate the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry and join the ranks of Japan, Germany, and Malta.

In major crypto markets such as Japan and South Korea, investors are highly anticipating the approval of a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) by the end of August 2018.

The Governor of the Bank of Thailand, Dr. Veerathai Santiprabhob, alluded to the use of blockchain technology as part of a national effort to further Thailand’s economic potential.

The Trump administration announced the launch of a new task force aimed squarely at “cyber fraud” and digital currency.

The investigation, executed by the KBA, is aimed at creating transparency standards as well as eliminate money laundering and insider trading.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange published a research paper outlining the potential integration of blockchain technology into Chinese financial infrastructure, arguing that adopting distributed ledger technology-based replacements for existing transaction settlement models could dramatically improve efficiency. As the fourth-largest stock...

On June 26th, 2018 the SEC received an application for a Bitcoin ETF license from the Chicago Board Options Exchange (Cboe) in partnership with Van Eyck Investment and SolidX. The SEC recently published the file and investors and crypto-enthusiasts now...

Recently there has been extensive coverage about Malta's attempt to become the leading country in the crypto sphere.

In an attempt to stem growing enthusiasm for cryptocurrency trading among the Chinese public, the Chinese government has been cracking down hard of cryptocurrency traders and speculators, banning cryptocurrency exchanges and outlawing ICOs.

On June 26, 2018, the SEC received an application from CBOE Futures Exchange to launch the world's first Bitcoin ETF.

The General Manager of the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) expressed a dystopian ending for cryptocurrencies — arguing that “creating money from nothing” has “never worked."

The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission officially announced the upcoming launch of a new regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs), scheduled to come into effect July 16, 2018.

Partido Popular, the ruling party within Spain’s four-party political system, submitted a blockchain-focused proposal to the Spanish Congress of Deputies aiming to promote the integration of blockchain technology into the governance structure of the country.

South Korea has taken another step towards the legitimization of cryptocurrency with the announcement of a new regulatory initiative that will see blockchain platforms and businesses governed by a new classification system.

The Maltese Parliament has passed a series of pro-blockchain bills into law, heralding the launch of a new concrete legal framework for blockchain industry within the island nation.

The US Internal Revenue Service has launched an international joint task force focusing on cryptocurrencies in order to investigate crypto-related tax evasion and money laundering. Announced on Monday, the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5) will see tax...

Bitcoin has experienced a lengthy period of stagnation subsequent to the late 2017 all-time high of $20,000, with the most valuable cryptocurrency failing to challenge the $10,000 mark the first half of 2018. ADVFN CEO Clem Chambers, however, believes...

After proposing to streamline the process of launching an exchange-traded fund (ETF), the United States’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may be giving blockchain funds easier access to a $3.4 trillion market. If approved following June 28’s unanimous vote,...

A Southern District Court judge in Florida produced a report arguing why Centra Tech’s ICO tokens should be classed as securities. Hit with a class-action lawsuit for violating US securities law, several of the Centra Tech team members already...

Kim Yong-bum, the Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Commission and one of the main financial regulators in South Korea, expressed optimism towards the cryptocurrency market and the disappearance of the “Kimchi Premium” which exceeded 30% at the cryptocurrency...

With cryptocurrency coming into the mainstream, digital assets and traditional securities are separate entities no more. Announced on June 27, Uphold digital currency exchange agreed to acquire New York-based JNK Securities Corp. Uphold Prepares for Emerging Regulation In a blog...

The cryptocurrency industry is simply becoming too big to ignore. Federal regulations in the U.S. are beginning to classify ICOs as securities and treating them with equivalent scrutiny. At the state level, Florida is taking action to oversee the cryptocurrency...

The cryptocurrency market has swung violently back into the red due to a series of regulatory movements from Asia, spooking skittish market participants. Bitcoin and Ethereum plummeted by almost 10% as Japanese regulators crack down on exchange action. Crypto...

With cryptocurrency growing more prevalent in the mainstream, the SEC is taking action to regulate ICOs as securities. On June 18, 2018, the SEC received a court order to freeze the assets of the PlexCoin founders under allegations of...

Circumstantial evidence of insider trading and fabricated volume on major crypto exchanges has catalyzed renewed focus on decentralized exchanges — or DEXs — as the future of crypto trading platforms. However, can the present issues within the current market...

On June 8, the South Korean Policy Advisory Council met to develop a regulatory framework for national cryptocurrency exchanges. Following the recent Coinrail Exchange hack, the South Korean government is imposing more stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money...

Coinbase — the second largest company in the cryptocurrency market behind $12 billion giant, Bitmain — is working with third-party custodians and hedge funds to bring institutional investors into the cryptocurrency market. In the past few months, prominent hedge fund...

Earlier this year, Square began supporting Bitcoin as a payment method on its Cash app platform. Announced on June 18, Cash app was granted a BitLicense to offer access to instant buying and selling of the world’s leading cryptocurrency...

International financial authority Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is expected to collaborate with Japan, the second largest cryptocurrency market behind the US, to introduce unified cryptocurrency regulations in the upcoming months. Japan Concerned With Anonymous Cryptocurrencies Last month, the...

The U.S. SEC and other government agencies are taking action to increase regulatory scrutiny of cryptocurrencies. At MoneyConf 2018 in Dublin, anonymous COO and co-founder of ShapeShift shared thoughts on the changing regulatory landscape of cryptocurrencies in the U.S....

The President of CBOE Global Markets has commented on the SEC’s recent clarification on the regulatory status of Ethereum, stating that as ETH is not at risk of classification as a security it’s possible that the CBOE may be...

Billionaire venture capitalist, Tom Draper, has reiterated his prediction that Bitcoin will reach $250,000 by 2022, stating that “fiat is the past,” with both crypto and Bitcoin being the future. Draper’s predictions, made during a June 12th interview with...

The US SEC has again clarified its position on both Ethereum and Bitcoin, stating that neither cryptocurrencies are securities. The announcement, made by SEC Corporate Finance Division head William Hinman, has addressed one of the most pressing issues in...

On June 10, the South Korean government integrated blockchain into the public sector. LG CNS and Korean Government Mint, KOMSCO, will work together to develop the “first public blockchain platform” and issue community tokens as a type of digital gift...

Almost 500,000 Swiss citizens voted in favor of a financial system based on the fundamentals of Bitcoin. While the referendum was not enough to bring change, the radical campaign won about 25% of all votes in favor of overturning Switzerland’s...

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are widely considered by many market participants to function as investment vehicles — real-world applications of blockchain technology take a back seat to speculation with mass adoption remaining a distant goal. While this...

Outspoken cryptocurrency proponent, iconoclastic firearm enthusiast, and potential 2020 US presidential candidate, John McAfee, challenged the SEC to a live debate on national television over the SEC chairman Jay Clayton’s recent statements regarding the regulatory status of cryptocurrencies. McAfee,...

Bitcoin’s volatile past week captured the attention of market observers, with many in the crypto community surprised to see Sunday’s market drop resulting in a sub-$7K BTC price. Despite the recent volatility, there have been multiple recent announcements from...

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand announced a regulatory framework for initial coin offerings and cryptocurrency. The details include a list of seven approved cryptocurrencies, fees, and licensing requirements. On May 14th, 2018 the Thailand SEC took...

The U.S. SEC is finally cracking down on cryptocurrency regulation, classifying ICOs as securities and enforcing their rules on private placement sales. In preparation for potential regulatory changes, Coinbase has announced that it is “on track” to receiving SEC registration. Legitimatizing Crypto...

Since the Bitcoin fervor of last December, SEC Chairman, Jay Clayton, has been declaring that token sales are securities and should be regulated similarly to stocks on public exchanges. Today, the SEC Chairman confirmed his classification of ICOs as...

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has announced a new Associate Director of the Division of Corporation Finance and Senior Advisor for Digital Assets and Innovation, creating an entirely new position that will oversee the application of US securities...

Ripple is to be represented by two former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officials — one a former SEC Chair — in the US cryptocurrency’s ongoing private lawsuit. In Ripple’s defense, ex-SEC Chair Mary Jo White and Enforcement Chief...

Seattle-based blockchain venture capital firm Pitha announced the filing of the very first Schedule 13D SEC filing in history, listing cryptocurrency as a method of payment during a recent investment round in DigitalTown. The filing of venture capital related...

Korea’s premier court has overturned the law to seize 191 Bitcoin earned through the provision of child pornography, ending a lengthy battle over the legal status of cryptocurrency. Appealing a September 2017 ruling that deemed such confiscation to be...

Chinese President Xi Jinping — the leader of the world’s second-largest economy — has described blockchain as accelerating “application breakthroughs.” Addressing the annual Chinese Academy of Sciences conference on May 28, China’s leader hailed blockchain technology as one that...

South Korea’s National Assembly — the legislative body of the East Asian Nation — has officially proposed to allow domestic Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). Nearly eight months after its September 2017 ban on ICOs and cryptocurrency margin trading, the...

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into cryptocurrency price manipulation on crypto exchanges. The investigation, first reported by Bloomberg, was revealed by four sources at the DOJ who requested anonymity because the investigation is private, and...

The thriving prevalence of cryptocurrency investing has become a topic unavoidable by regulatory agencies worldwide. The growing exposure of the cryptocurrency industry to the mainstream public has drawn the attention of investors and scammers alike, leaving many victims to deceptive...

Cryptocurrencies and the underlying blockchain technology have taken the world by storm since early 2017 and continue to do so today more than ever. A handful of leaders in the blockchain and cryptocurrency worlds have shared their outlook on how...

South Korea continues to make news in the crypto space. Late this week, regulators raided Upbit, the country’s largest crypto exchange, on suspicion of fraud. The actions occurred as crypto enthusiasts around the world are wrestling with regulatory concerns...

While on the surface, cryptocurrency exchanges may resemble stock markets in some ways — matching buyers with sellers and publishing prices — when examined closely, they differ quite vastly in terms of their overall associated risks and functionality. At...

Cryptocurrencies have always had an antagonistic relationship with governments, central banks, and regulators. After all, Bitcoin, the first and still most popular digital currency, was created as a response to the shenanigans at large banks that was overlooked by...

An important decision regarding the future of cryptocurrency regulation is set to be discussed on May 7th, as a working group of senior CFTC and SEC officials prepare a meeting that could determine the manner in which digital currencies...

A legislative body within South Korea is moving to lift the government’s ban on initial coin offerings as a group of lawmakers led by Rep. Hong Eui-rak is drafting a bill to legalize ICOs under government supervision. During a...

Lawsuits in the crypto-space seem to be the flavor of the month. Last week, we saw a Twitter user launch an initiative to sue the Bitcoin.com website, a domain which, according to numerous Bitcoin proponents, fraudulently sold Bitcoin Cash...

Controversial Italian cryptocurrency exchange has been shut down a mere three hours after re-launching operations due to a court order. The suspension followed a brief re-opening on Tuesday, shortly after which Italian authorities demanded that the platform cease operations...

While China boasts the largest population in the world, its neighbor, India, comes a close second, totaling more than 1.35 billion people. And, if one considers that each of these nations is four times larger than, for instance, the...

For decades, Switzerland was synonymous with secretive banking practices and personalized accounting strategies. However, laws and cultural norms have brought Swiss banks back in line with traditional disclosure sentiments espoused by other banks. As a result, the Swiss banking...

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis recently likened Bitcoin to “regular currency.” Bitcoin’s lack of intrinsic value (similar to the U.S. dollar, the Euro, or the Swiss Franc), the limited supply of BTC, and the lack of a...

The CEO of the NASDAQ, the second-largest exchange in the world by market capitalization, announced that it would consider adding cryptocurrency to its offerings alongside traditional securities. On Wednesday, CEO of the NASDAQ Adena Friedman said that the NASDAQ...

Buying and selling Bitcoin in America’s capital city just became even easier with the recent rollout of 20 Bitcoin ATMs across Washington DC. The launch of the machines follows a global surge of installations in which 9 new Bitcoin...

Arguably the most contentious issue surrounding initial coin offerings (ICOs) is SEC compliance. The crux of the matter lies on whether tokens issued through the blockchain are securities or “utility tokens.” New regulatory actions from the Securities and Exchange...

The wild west of blockchain may come to a close. The SEC has recently created a Cyber Unit focused on investigating digital misconduct and fraud to protect retail investors. In a press release, the SEC announced that it would...

Everyone knows that Russia has a love-hate relationship with cryptos and blockchain. While the country promotes the use of blockchain to enhance its economic model, the situation is entirely different when it comes to Bitcoin and the rest of...

As per a new decree, the Polish Finance Ministry has now brought into effect an all new law that requires every cryptocurrency transaction to be subject to a flat 1% economic tax levy. Known within Poland as the Civil...

An alliance of lawyers, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs have recently met with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to petition for the creation of cryptocurrency “safe harbors” for specific cryptocurrencies and tokens, including Ethereum. The Venture Capital Working Group,...

Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General for the state of New York, recently commenced proceedings for a major probe that will scrutinize the daily trade activities of many of the top cryptocurrency exchanges operating within the state today. In a...

In 2017, cryptocurrency came into the mainstream spotlight. Bitcoin soared to a record high of $19,783.06, and the entire crypto market surpassed 800 billion dollars. Prices have cooled off since then, but 2017’s crypto frenzy made it clear that digital...

In another push to uniformly manage the UK alt-coin market, executives over at Ripple, the world’s third largest digital currency, have requested British regulators to put an end to the financial unpredictability that engulfs their cryptocurrency sector. Ripple’s head...

As per Venezuelan newspaper, the Official Gazette, all government institutions are now required to accept Petro as legal tender. The proclamation was made official on April 9 by President Nicolás Maduro and gives all government bodies a maximum of...

The past few months have been rocky for the cryptocurrency market. Unlike last year, it is rare that we see a day where all coins are in the green. Regardless of your opinion on this market “shift,” one thing...

During the week, news broke of India’s changing stance on cryptocurrency with headlines from several news sources hinting at a potential Indian crypto ban, sending markets into a panicked whirlwind and causing a Bitcoin price drop to $6,600. With...

After a year of unparalleled and unbridled expansion, cryptocurrencies are dealing with the implications of governmental oversight and increased regulations. Although global financial leaders set a July timetable for implementing sweeping oversight, there hasn’t been a consensus. Instead, independent...

Ripple was denied access to two major U.S. cryptocurrency exchanges, Coinbase and Gemini, due to regulatory concerns. The question as to whether to cryptocurrency is a security seems to underpin the issue. Ripple (XRP) is a cryptocurrency that provides...

It is no secret that Japan commands one of the largest crypto user-bases in the world today. Thus in an attempt to introduce more stability and transparency within their digital currency sector, a government-funded research group has set forth...

Australia possesses one of the most active cryptocurrency user bases in the world today, and as of April 3, all national digital exchanges are required to operate under the regulatory authority of AUSTRAC. In an attempt to responsibly monitor...

After a strong showing in 2017, cryptocurrency-focused hedge funds are struggling in the first quarter of the new year. Bloomberg is reporting that nine hedge funds specializing in cryptocurrencies have shut their doors in 2018. Crypto markets are unusually tepid...

South Korea continues to be a hub of activity in the space of crypto, with Seoul’s announcement that it intends to launch its own regional cryptocurrency, the “S coin.” Seoul’s announcement was made by Park Won-Soon, who also said...

In what is being perceived as a one-sided move, the Russian Ministry of Communications has set forth a new set of ICO regulations under which companies looking to facilitate token sale events will be obliged to guarantee that investors...

Last year, the Chicago-based derivatives exchange market, Cboe, made headlines when it launched the first Bitcoin Futures on December 10th. At the time, this was Bitcoin’s first foray into the mainstream financial system. They would be joined later that...

Belarus is eyeing its position amongst the most crypto friendly nations in the world by recently announcing the introduction of its new cryptocurrency accounting standards. According to the recent decree, the national Finance Ministry has developed a new working...

Cryptocurrencies have transformed from an idea to something you can pay your taxes with, as four state legislatures issue bills to legitimize cryptocurrencies for tax purposes. These bills are just some of the efforts by governments to regulate cryptocurrencies,...

In what is being perceived as a landmark judgment, a Dutch court has recently ruled in favor of an applicant who was owed 0.591 BTC by a private company about a crypto mining dispute. In keeping with the ruling,...

In what is being perceived as a step in the right direction, Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced the creation of a special cryptocurrency task force that will look to regulate and foster crypto innovation within the UK. As part...

According to latest reports, the South Korean FSC, Financial Services Commission, is planning to support the adoption of various blockchain technologies in order to foster innovation within the country’s FinTech sector. Korean newspaper JoongAng Daily reported that the nation’s...

This week, leaders from the 20 largest economies in the world are meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina to discuss the world economy and to explore possible roadmaps for ensuring global financial stability. Among the many topics discussed at the...

In what can only be perceived as a step in the right direction, the US state of Maryland has tabled two bills that will look to study and possibly regulate blockchain technology. While nothing is set in stone, House...

In a conversation with the Financial Times, it appears that Mastercard has warmed up to the idea of cryptocurrencies, thanks to a series of statements made by Ari Sakar, Mastercard’s co-president for Asia-Pacific. Sakar said that Mastercard is exploring...

New York is known as a restless city, where every business has a golden opportunity to flourish. With such a reputation, the city has earned the title of “capital” of many things: capital of fashion, arts and even capital...

Messaging giant Telegram has lost its appeal to stop the country’s Federal Security Service (FSB) from gaining access to its encrypted data. The ruling states that Telegram needs to share its encryption keys with state authorities so as to...

A bill that was tabled last February with the aim of exempting cryptocurrencies from existing property laws has recently been passed by the Wyoming Senate. This news comes in the wake of various governments and regulatory authorities imposing restrictions...

The French financial markets regulator AMF (l’Autorité des marchés financiers) announced it will establish legislation for initial coin offerings. The new legislation for ICOs could be introduced in April, reported French news outlet Les Echos, March 15. Les Echos,...