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

Ukraine Pushes for Membership in European Blockchain Partnership

Activists and lawmakers in Kyiv are urging the EU to accept Ukraine as a member of the European Blockchain Partnership. They believe the recently adopted law “On Virtual Assets” opens the way for the country to become a blockchain leader on the Old Continent. Kyiv Officials Hope Blockchain Technology Can Help Post-War Reconstruction of Ukraine … Read more

European Union’s MiCA Proposal Progresses to Trilogue Stage Without Bitcoin Ban Provision

The Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulatory package passed another potential hurdle this week and is moving to the next stage of the EU’s legislative process. Proponents of a controversial text prohibiting proof-of-work (PoW) cryptocurrencies, which was recently dropped from the draft, did not take an opportunity to block the draft’s progress. EU Parliament, Commission … Read more

Europe’s MiCA Crypto Rules Submitted, ECON Committee to Vote in Mid-March

The European Union’s regulatory proposal for crypto markets, MiCA, has been filed with the European Parliament. The latest version of the draft framework does not feature a controversial provision that could have effectively prohibited cryptocurrencies like bitcoin that rely on proof-of-work mining. Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee to Vote on Latest MiCA Draft on March … Read more

Proof-of-Work Ban Removed From Europe’s Proposed Crypto Regulation

A text threatening to prohibit cryptocurrencies relying on energy-intensive proof-of-work mining has been deleted from the draft legislation aimed at regulating the European crypto space. The move comes after the controversial provision sparked objections from the crypto community. MiCA Proposal Drops Ban on Proof-of-Work Coins Wording that could have banned cryptocurrencies with proof-of-work (PoW) mining, … Read more

European Parliament to Cancel Vote on Crypto Assets Framework

The European Parliament will not hold a planned vote on crypto regulations after texts that can be interpreted as an attempt to ban coins with energy-intensive mining sparked negative reactions. The lawmaker leading the legislative effort says the matter needs clarification before MEPs can have a say, but the head of the ECB has insisted … Read more

EU Members Want to Task New AML Watchdog With Crypto Oversight, Report Unveils

A group of EU nations have reportedly been lobbying to entrust oversight of the crypto space to a new anti-money laundering (AML) agency. Behind the move are concerns that companies dealing with digital assets can be engaged in the processing of illicit funds. Germany Leads Push to Place Crypto Firms Under EU Anti-Money Laundering Supervision … Read more