Fed Chair Powell Reaffirms Stance on Custody Assets Amid SEC Crypto Rule Controversy

On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, where Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) questioned him about the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 121. This bulletin mandates that banks include digital assets held in custody on their balance sheets, significantly raising the cost of providing digital asset custody services. … Read more

Deutsche Börse Group’s Crypto Subsidiary Granted Four Licenses by the German Regulator

A subsidiary of the German multinational company Deutsche Börse Group has been granted four licenses by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority or Bafin. The licensing of the subsidiary helps to distinguish its product offering “as one of the few to meet these exceptionally high standards.” Cementing Crypto Finance’s Position in the European Digital Asset … Read more

German Stock Exchange Boerse Stuttgart to Provide Crypto Custody Through Licensed Subsidiary

Blocknox, a subsidiary of one of Europe’s largest stock exchanges, Boerse Stuttgart, has been licensed to operate as a crypto custodian in Germany. The authorization will allow the company to offer custody services for digital assets to institutional investors across the Old Continent. Boerse Stuttgart Subsidiary Blocknox to Offer Crypto Custody Services Under Bafin License … Read more

Crypto Regulation Is Like a Flimsy Umbrella in a Monsoon

You know what they say, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” But when it comes to protecting your crypto funds on centralized exchanges (CEXes), the old adage should be “when life gives you regulations, make a self-custody wallet.” Self-custody is undoubtedly a better solution for protecting the interests of customers in crypto. Regulation alone … Read more

South African Government to Add Crypto Entities to ‘List of Accountable Institutions’

According to the South African government, crypto entities — or businesses whose activities include the exchange or transfer of crypto assets — are set to be included in the list of so-called accountable institutions starting Dec. 19. Businesses that convert one crypto asset to another or that conduct transactions where a crypto asset is transferred … Read more

Austrian Crypto Exchange Bitpanda Secures Trading License From Germany’s BaFin

Crypto exchange and custody platform Bitpanda announced on Nov. 22 that it had received a crypto trading license from Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. According to Bitpanda, securing a license means it has become the “first European retail investment platform to meet BAFIN’s strict regulatory requirements.” New License Strengthens Bitpanda’s Position Austrian crypto exchange platform … Read more

Nigerian Web3 Startup Says Funds Are Stuck With FTX, Lays Off Employees

Nestcoin, a Nigerian Web3 startup which got an investment from Alameda Research in 2021, revealed on Nov. 14 that it had “a significant proportion of stablecoin investment” stuck at FTX. According to the startup’s CEO, laying off some employees allows the company to focus on building a more decentralized crypto future. Using FTX as Custodian … Read more