Tech Industry Leaders Call for AI Labs to Pause Development for Safety, Coinbase CEO Disagrees

This week, 2,600 tech industry moguls and entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk, Gary Marcus, and Steve Wozniak, signed an open letter requesting artificial intelligence (AI) labs to pause research and development for six months. The signatories believe that safety programs and regulations need to be strengthened, as they assert that AI labs are currently in an … Read more

SEC in a Pickle: Crypto’s Tricky Trio Stirs Up Trouble in 2023

2023 is shaping up to be a painful year for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as it finds itself entangled in battles with the ever-evolving and innovative cryptocurrency industry. From Ripple to Coinbase and Tron, the SEC faces fierce opposition with potentially huge consequences. The following opinion editorial was written by Joseph Collement, … Read more

Dutch Financial Regulator Vows Strict Treatment of Crypto Business Under MiCA

The financial regulatory body of the Netherlands intends to maintain tough attitude towards the Dutch digital assets sector despite looser European rules. The head of the agency overseeing the industry doesn’t think crypto is good news and highlights its flaws in an article. Head of Dutch Financial Authority Says Cryptos Are Difficult to Fathom, Vulnerable … Read more

Cryptocurrency Turnover Growing in Russia, Watchdog Reports to Putin

Use of cryptocurrencies is increasing in Russia, the head of the country’s financial watchdog has informed President Putin. The agency, Rosfinmonitoring, is following thousands of participants in digital asset transactions with a new blockchain analytics system, the official revealed. Volume of Crypto Transactions in Russia Almost $13 Billion, Financial Authority Says The turnover of crypto … Read more

FTX Bankruptcy Judge Denies US Trustee’s Request for Independent Examiner

The judge presiding over the FTX bankruptcy case has denied the U.S. Trustee’s request to appoint an independent examiner for the ongoing proceedings. The decision comes after judge John Dorsey postponed the ruling last week, citing concerns that the examiner could cost creditors tens of millions of dollars. The U.S. Trustee’s Argument for an Independent … Read more

Treasury Secretary Yellen Urges Swift Action to Increase Spending Limit, Avert Default on US Obligations

Janet Yellen, the U.S. secretary of the Treasury, sent a letter to Congress on Friday urging lawmakers to increase the spending limit. Yellen stressed that the country would reach its statutory debt limit on Jan. 19, 2023. She warned that “failure to meet the government’s obligations would cause irreparable harm to the U.S. economy, the … Read more

Time for Serious Global Crypto Regulation, Germany Says

Germany’s financial watchdog has issued a call for global regulation of the crypto industry in the aftermath of the FTX collapse. The hands-off approach was wrong, the head of the agency says, insisting it’s time to protect consumers as the sector expands links with traditional finance. Bafin President Convinced Self-Regulation Won’t Work for Crypto The … Read more

Bitcoin and Ether Are Not Securities in Belgium, Financial Regulator Clarifies

Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ether cannot be classified as securities or investment instruments, according to a communication issued by the financial watchdog in Belgium. The authority has tried to clarify the matter, noting that the digital coins may be subject to other regulations. FSMA: Securities Laws Do Not Apply to Bitcoin and Other Decentralized Cryptocurrencies … Read more