England: Unauthorized Crypto Futures and ICOs are Criminal Offences

In a statement released 6 April 2018, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of England attempted to clarify its jurisdiction in the ever-booming cryptocurrency industry. While acknowledging cryptos are “not currently” regulated by the bureau, crypto futures, contracts for difference (CFDs), options, and initial coin offerings (ICOs) do indeed fall under their purview. Furthermore, crypto firms … Read more

0 to 50% – Time to Pay Crypto Taxes in the European “Union”

With the increasing popularity of bitcoin and the like, this year’s tax campaign in Europe comes with many questions on how to report and pay crypto taxes. Despite the obvious hesitation on the part of many governments to comprehensively regulate/legalize the sector, cryptocurrency incomes and profits “enjoy” special attention. Different decisions on the matter pose … Read more

G20 Argentina Ends With No New Cryptocurrency Regulation

Nations forming the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Argentina this week issued Comunicado oficial de la primera reunión de ministros de Hacienda y presidentes de Bancos Centrales del G20, or first communication from the world’s central bankers concerning their work. The two page document is crammed with statements, and on the final page bankers … Read more

Japan to Call for Crypto Rules at the G20 Summit

Japanese representatives will push for the adoption of global rules on cryptocurrencies at the upcoming G20 meeting in Argentina. Next week, the summit will gather finance ministers and central bankers in Buenos Aires. Other countries also want to put crypto matters on the table, with signals coming from key members of the European Union.    … Read more

Excessive Crypto Regulation Not Optimal, EU Banking Authority Says

The Chairman of the European Banking Authority has spoken against excessive regulation of the crypto sector, warning it might constrain financial innovation. Outlining EBA’s position in regards to the supervision of the Fintech industry, Andrea Enria said regulators need to maintain a “measured approach”. Next week EBA will publish a roadmap, which defines a series … Read more

Belgian Tax Authority Going After Crypto Investors

Cryptocurrency investments have attracted the attention of tax authorities in Belgium. Several investigations have been opened into cases of Belgian citizens who have traded on foreign exchanges. Anyone speculating on crypto markets is expected to pay 33% tax on their gains, despite the fact that bitcoin and the like are not regulated or legalized in … Read more

Germany Treads Lightly on Bitcoin Taxation

Germany is taking a lead within European Union established economies, deciding upon slow regulation when it comes to the world’s most popular cryptocurrency, bitcoin. It will not tax the digital asset as a form of payment, miner rewards escape the sting as well, and even some exchanges will receive exemptions.   Also read: Bitcoin Futures Regulator … Read more

France Cracks Down on Bitcoin Derivatives

Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), the independent regulatory body governing France’s stock market, issued two statements today, one on initial coin offerings (ICOs) and another on the prospect of bitcoin derivatives. Both point to more oversight to come for crypto in France, including everything from formal authorizations to a ban on advertisements.   Also read: How … Read more

Steps towards Self-Regulation in Croatia and Slovenia

Communities in two countries, which share a border, history and perspectives, have expressed similar views about the future of the cryptocurrency sector. A new association in Croatia hopes to lay the foundations of self-regulation in the industry. In neighboring Slovenia, entrepreneurs and government officials have promised to work together to “educate the public” on the … Read more

Crypto Exchanges Launch P2P Platforms from Latvia and Bulgaria

While European institutions are issuing another series of warnings about the risks and sins of dealing with bitcoin, crypto communities on the Old Continent are trying to preserve freedoms not granted by Brussels. Two exchanges from opposite corners of New Europe have announced plans to offer peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading. Latvia-based Hodlhodl has launched its new … Read more