Cryptocurrency

PEPs & Sanctions

OFAC Settles Sanctions Case Against Crypto Payments Processor BitPay

By Editors | 20/02/2021

BitPay is said to have enabled individuals in sanctioned jurisdictions to engage in $129,000 worth of digital currency-related transactions with its merchant customers.

Anti-Money Laundering

FSC Korea Proposes Additional Rule Changes for VASPs

By Editors | 18/02/2021

The changes add to revisions proposed in November to align requirements for VASPs with the FATF recommendations.

Cryptocurrency

Hong Kong: GDF Warns Against Restricting Retail Investment in Crypto

By Manesh Samtani | 16/02/2021

The November FSTB proposal to only allow VASPs to offer services to professional investors could prompt retail investors to move to unlicensed platforms, GDF says.

CBDCs

Japan Finance Minister to Take CBDC Debate to G7 Meeting

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 11/02/2021

Taro Aso said at a press conference that he thinks it’s important to “thrash out” policy measures regarding digital currency issued by central banks.

Cryptocurrency

SEC Thailand Orders Crypto Exchange to Suspend Client Onboarding

By Ranamita Chakraborty | 08/02/2021

Bitkub needs to address five major issues before it can resume onboarding new clients, after high volume trading disrupted its systems in January.

Cryptocurrency

India Set to Introduce Bill Banning Private Cryptocurrencies

By Editors | 01/02/2021

The proposed bill will also provide for the creation of a framework for an official digital currency that will be issued by the RBI.

Cryptocurrency

Ripple Files Response to US SEC Defending XRP as Virtual Currency

By Editors | 31/01/2021

The response notes that the DOJ, FinCEN and regulators in the UK, Singapore and Japan have all concluded that XRP is a virtual currency not subject to securities regulation.

CBDCs

More Central Banks Advancing CBDC Work: BIS Report

By Manesh Samtani | 29/01/2021

CBDCs need to be linked to a digital identity in order to be useful in achieving financial inclusion, said BIS general manager Agustín Carstens.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Tokyo Police Arrest 31 Individuals Over 2018 Coincheck Heist

By Editors | 25/01/2021

The suspects were found to have traded stolen cryptocurrency on an underground exchange that emerged on the dark web following the Coincheck heist.