Romania Carries Out Raids as Part of Crypto Tax Evasion Probe

Authorities in Romania have conducted more than a dozen raids against people suspected of hiding income from cryptocurrency operations. The searches took place in late 2022 following an earlier investigation which established that crypto traders had failed to report digital assets exceeding $50 million in value. Law Enforcement and Tax Authorities in Romania Go After … Read more

US Government Delays Tax Reporting Rules for Cryptocurrency Brokers

The enforcement of a requirement for brokers to report gains made by crypto investors has been postponed by the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS. The new tax rules, incorporated into the $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the U.S. Congress in 2021, were to be imposed in 2023. Crypto Brokers Told to Comply With … Read more

Russia and Turkey to Collaborate on Combating Crime-Related Crypto Transactions

Law enforcement and judicial authorities from Russia and Turkey are joining forces in the fight against cybercrime, including the use of cryptocurrencies for illegal purposes. The collaboration has been agreed upon during a visit by Russia’s Prosecutor General to Ankara. Russia, Turkey Arrange Cooperation on Countering Crime Involving Digital Space and Assets The Prosecutor General … Read more

Swiss Financial Watchdog Releases Revised AML Ordinance, Clarifies Crypto Requirements

The Swiss financial regulator has published its updated anti-money laundering (AML) ordinance, noting it’s extending the coverage to include blockchain trading platforms. It also clarified certain reporting and identification requirements that apply to crypto transactions. Financial Authorities Adjust Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Rules Concerning Crypto Transfers Following consultations that started earlier this year, the Swiss Financial … Read more

Apple Unveils Stricter App Store Rules for Crypto and NFTs — Critic Says Firm Wants to Keep Money in Its Ecosystem

According to Apple’s latest guidelines for developers seeking to have their apps included in the App Store, crypto exchange applications should only facilitate the transfer of crypto funds to approved exchanges. Where payments are needed to unlock features or functionality, Apple says apps may only “use in-app purchase currencies.” Only In-App Purchase Currencies May Be … Read more

War Spurs Crypto Activity in Russia and Ukraine, Chainalysis Reports

The deadly conflict that started with Russia’s assault on Ukraine has increased crypto-related activity in both countries, according to Chainalysis. Fiat inflation and sanctions pressure led to several spikes in transaction volumes this year, the blockchain forensics firm has found, while Eastern Europe as a whole sustained its role in the global crypto ecosystem. Russians … Read more

Study: MENA Crypto Volumes Grew Fastest Between July 2021 and June 2022 — Turkey Cements Position as Region’s Largest Market

Of the $566 billion in cryptocurrency transaction volume for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region between July 2021 and June 2022, nearly 40% went to Turkey, which kept its place as the region’s biggest cryptocurrency market, according to the latest Chainalysis data. In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s takeover has seen the value of cryptocurrencies … Read more

Despite Accounting for 2% of Global Activity, Sub-Saharan Africa Has ‘Some of the Most Well-Developed Cryptocurrency Markets of Any Region’: Report

According to a recent Chainalysis report, although Sub-Saharan Africa is believed to account for as little as 2% of global transaction activity, the area “contains some of the most well-developed cryptocurrency markets of any region.” Additionally, Sub-Saharan Africa’s “retail market and outsized usage of P2P platforms make it unique compared to other regions.” Sub-Saharan Africa’s … Read more

Europe’s Securities Regulator ESMA Seeks to Obtain Crypto Transaction Data

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is gearing up to implement stricter oversight in regards to crypto-related transactions. The agency is now looking to hire suppliers of trading data, as monitoring major participants in the market falls under its responsibilities. ESMA Launches Public Procurement for Providers of Crypto Trading Data The securities watchdog of … Read more

Credit Cards Should Not Be Used for Crypto Transactions, Taiwan’s Financial Watchdog Says

The financial regulator of Taiwan has asked local banks not to allow the use of cards for payments in transactions involving cryptocurrencies, local media revealed. The authority says these assets are risky while associated cash flows are hard to monitor. Taiwanese Regulator Urges Banks Not to Allow Crypto-Related Payments With Bank Cards Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory … Read more