Middle East Crypto Exchange Coinmena Enters the Qatari Market, Regulator Says No Institution Licenced

Coinmena, the Bahrain-based cryptocurrency exchange, recently announced that residents of Qatar can now buy and sell cryptocurrencies on its platform. The cryptocurrency exchange claimed it is the first regulated digital asset exchange to open its platform to Qatari residents. Residents Can Now Connect Bank Accounts to Their Crypto Wallets The Bahrain headquartered cryptocurrency exchange, Coinmena, … Read more

Russian Bankers Suggest Criminalizing Crypto Storage in Non-Custodial Wallets

Keeping cryptocurrencies in non-custodial wallets may be criminalized in Russia, if authorities accept a proposal from the trade association representing Russian banks. While financial regulators think the idea deserves attention, lawmakers and experts doubt it’s possible to implement such a measure. Russian Banks Move to Curb Use of Private Cryptocurrency Wallets Challenges with foreclosure and … Read more

EU Bans High-Value Crypto Services to Russia in New Round of Sanctions

European institutions are closing crypto loopholes for Russia with the latest package of penalties imposed by the EU over Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine. The new sanctions prohibit the provision of “high-value” crypto-asset services to Russian entities and residents. EU Limits Russian Crypto Wallet Deposits to €10,000 Expanding its sanctions in response to the Russian military … Read more

EU Lawmakers Back Regulation Threatening Unhosted Crypto Wallets, Defi Space

Members of the European Parliament have approved a controversial regulation that could undermine the decentralized finance (defi) sector in the EU. Some of its provisions, which are yet to be coordinated with other European institutions, aim to introduce restrictive measures for transactions involving privately managed crypto wallets. EU Parliament Moves to Introduce Verification for Defi … Read more

Chainalysis Launches Screening Tools Designed to Prevent Sanctions Evasion

Blockchain forensics company Chainalysis is launching two tools that will allow crypto companies to deny sanctioned persons and entities access to their platforms. The move comes amid concerns that Russia may use cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine. Chainalysis Offers Crypto Industry New Sanctions-Screening Tools As the military conflict in … Read more

Ukraine Targets Russian Politicians’ Crypto Wallets as Russian Banks Are Cut From SWIFT

Ukraine is now trying to expose cryptocurrency wallets used by politicians in Moscow amid warnings that Russia may employ digital coins to circumvent sanctions. The initiative comes as western allies agree to expel some Russian banks from SWIFT, the global interbank payments system. Government of Ukraine Seeks Info on Crypto Assets of Russian and Belarusian … Read more

President Lukashenko Signs Decree to Create Crypto Wallet Register in Belarus

President Alexander Lukashenko has signed another decree regulating the crypto economy of Belarus. It envisages the establishment of a register for cryptocurrency wallets and addresses certain legal aspects pertaining to the circulation of cryptocurrencies in the country. Presidential Decree Aims to Prevent Use of Crypto Wallets in Criminal Activities Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has signed … Read more

Russia Busts Revil Ransomware Group on US Request, Arrests 14 Members

Russian law enforcement agencies have dismantled the notorious hacking group Revil, believed to be behind ransomware attacks in the U.S. involving cryptocurrency. Although Moscow is unlikely to hand over Russian citizens to Washington, the operation has been carried out on request from the United States, despite heightened geopolitical tensions between the two powers. Russia’s FSB … Read more

Moscow Not Planning to Ban Russians From Buying Crypto Abroad

Russia is not going to follow China’s course and does not plan to ban its citizens from purchasing cryptocurrency on foreign exchanges, a high-ranking government official has indicated. Russians will not be able to pay with digital coins in their own country but are free to use crypto wallets beyond its borders. Russians Can Purchase … Read more

Russia to Track Crypto Transactions With Help From Sberbank-Owned Company

The Federal Financial Monitoring Service of Russia is going to start tracking cryptocurrency transactions. The agency has already selected a contractor to develop the platform. The entity is affiliated with one of Russia’s largest financial institutions, Sberbank. Rosfinmonitoring to Keep Record of Cryptocurrency Wallets Used for Illicit Purposes Russia’s financial watchdog, Rosfinmonitoring, has selected a … Read more