Digital Assets

Market Abuse

CFTC Takes First Action Involving Decentralised Crypto Exchange

By Manesh Samtani | 12/01/2023

The CFTC filed fraud and swap manipulation charges against a hacker, saying the Commodity Exchange Act applies to decentralised blockchain-based trading platforms.

Cryptocurrency

SFC Plans to Allow Retail Access to ‘Highly Liquid’ Crypto Assets

By Manesh Samtani | 12/01/2023

A consultation on retail trading will begin sometime in Q1. The SFC plans to start accepting applications for VASP licences in mid 2024.

Tokenisation

ESMA Recommends Use of DTI Codes for DLT Pilot Regime

By Manesh Samtani | 12/01/2023

The DTI Foundation, a division of Etrading Software, has so far issued ISO-standard DTI codes for over a thousand of the most commonly traded digital assets.

Anti-Money Laundering

Korean Authorities Investigate Bithumb for Possible Tax Evasion

By Editors | 11/01/2023

Tax authorities raided Bithumb’s headquarters in Seoul on Tuesday. Two of its former chairmen have also been the subject of separate probes.

CBDCs

HK Lawmaker Proposes to Use e-HKD as Stablecoin for DeFi

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 11/01/2023

LegCo member Wu Jiezhuang says using the CBDC as a government-backed stablecoin will help address virtual asset risks and enhance trust in Web3.

Liquidity Risk

Crypto Bank Silvergate Reveals Details of Post-FTX Bank Run

By Manesh Samtani | 10/01/2023

The bank faced $8bn in withdrawals, forcing it to sell $5.2bn in debt securities at a $718mn loss. Its stock has fallen 95% since Nov 2021.

Cryptocurrency

Singapore’s New Crypto Rules Too Restrictive, Says Industry Body

By Editors | 10/01/2023

A blanket ban on providing credit could push retail investors to lend their crypto tokens via unregulated offshore firms.

CBDCs

ECB Seeks Experts to Help Draft CBDC Rulebook

By Editors | 09/01/2023

The Rulebook Development Group will commence work in February 2023, comprising Eurosystem staff and market representatives with relevant experience.

Cryptocurrency

Indonesian Regulator Bappebti Seeks to Launch Crypto Exchange

By Editors | 09/01/2023

Bappebti is seeking to establish a new crypto exchange for Indonesian users before its regulatory powers over the sector are transferred to the OJK.