SEC’s Crypto Regulation Labeled a ‘Disaster’ by Commissioner

A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commissioner has called the agency’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation a “disaster,” highlighting the SEC’s reliance on enforcement without clear guidance. He criticized the lack of regulatory clarity, which has led to conflicting court rulings, and emphasized the need for clearer distinctions on what falls under securities law. SEC’s … Read more

Cryptocurrency Firm Abra Settles With 25 US States Over Licensing Violations

Financial authorities in 25 U.S. states have reached a settlement with the cryptocurrency investment platform Abra and its CEO Bill Barhydt for operating without proper licensing. This settlement mandates significant changes in how Abra conducts its operations within these states. Abra Reaches Settlement Over Unlicensed Operations, Agrees to Major Concessions According to a report from … Read more

USDC Stablecoin Nears Parity With USD After Fed’s Bailout Announcement

The stablecoin USDC has nearly regained parity with the U.S. dollar after rising just above $0.99 on March 12, 2023, at 7:20 p.m. Eastern Time. The stablecoin jumped back to the $0.99 range after the U.S. Federal Reserve revealed it would bail out depositors of California’s Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and New York’s Signature Bank. … Read more

NY Regulators Seize Control of Signature Bank, Depositors Assured by Federal Bailout

On Sunday, the New York Department of Financial Services, or DFS, announced that it had taken possession of Signature Bank. The DFS appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, as the receiver of the bank. In a joint statement, the U.S. Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, and FDIC explained that all Signature depositors would be … Read more

SEC and CFTC Lawsuits Against Former FTX CEO Paused Until Criminal Proceedings Conclude

Two civil lawsuits, stemming from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried will be paused until his criminal proceedings are complete. US Attorney Requests Pause on SEC and CFTC Lawsuits to Prevent ‘Judicial Overlap’ According to the latest decision by a New … Read more

Binance and Kazakhstan to Share Information About Crypto-Related Crime

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has agreed to support Kazakhstan in ensuring the safe development of the country’s crypto market. The trading platform and Kazakhstan’s financial regulators intend to inform each other about cases involving the use of digital assets for illicit purposes. Binance Exchange to Help Kazakhstan Authorities Combat Crime Linked to Cryptocurrencies The world’s leading … Read more

Kazakhstan Investigates Crypto Mining Hotel Allegedly Operating as Ponzi Scheme

Authorities in Kazakhstan have launched an investigation into a mining hotel business suspected of being a crypto pyramid as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal activities linked to cryptocurrencies. The platform, called Bincloud, lured investors through popular messaging apps. Bincloud Operators Kept 16% of Investors’ Funds for Themselves Amid intensified efforts to fight crypto-related … Read more

Korean Officials Quit Jobs to Join Crypto Industry, Lawmaker Reveals

Public officials in South Korea are increasingly choosing career opportunities in the cryptocurrency sector. Some of them come from financial authorities which raises ethical questions, according to the findings of a Korean lawmaker, quoted by local media. Former Financial Officials Hired by Major Korean Exchanges A growing number of officials in Seoul are vacating their … Read more

Israeli Regulator Designates Utility Tokens Issued by Companies as Securities

The Israel Securities Authority (ISA) recently ruled that utility tokens issued by companies are securities and, therefore, cannot be classified as assets. The ISA’s decision comes after Israeli tech startup Kirobo sought to convince the regulator that its planned token issuance did not amount to a security offering. Token Value Growth However, in response to … Read more