‘Not Related to a Digital Currency’ — US Central Bank Addresses Concerns Over Fednow Payment Network

The U.S. Central Bank has issued an update regarding the Federal Reserve’s Fednow project, which is scheduled to commence in July. The Fed has responded to recent criticism of the Fednow service and asserts that the Fednow payment network is “neither a form of currency nor a step toward eliminating any form of payment, including … Read more

India-Russia Oil Deals Chip Away at Dollar Dominance in International Trade

On Wednesday, Reuters reported that Western sanctions on Russia and oil trading between Moscow and India have started to erode the dollar’s decades-old dominance of international oil trade. The oil deals between India and Russia have been settled in other currencies, putting the U.S. dollar’s dominance in the oil trade under pressure. Sources Say Non-U.S. … Read more

Singapore to Impose Restrictions on Russian Financial and Crypto Transactions

In a rare move, Singapore is going to introduce restrictions on certain Russian financial transactions and crypto operations aimed at evading sanctions. The decision comes amid officially expressed concerns that Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the security of small states around the world. Singapore Becomes First Southeast Asian Nation to Impose Sanctions … Read more

Indictment Order Issued Against Leaders of the Geek Group for Their Role Using BTC in an Illegal Money Transmission Business

A U.S. District Court has indicted three individuals behind the now-defunct Geek Group for their role in running an illegal money transmission business that used bitcoin to move funds across states. According to the indictment documents, it was Christopher Allan Boden then president of the Geek Group, who “sold bitcoin to numerous customers, in exchange … Read more

Bank of Thailand Enters Third Phase of CBDC Development; Now “Using CBDC with Big Businesses”

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) announced Wednesday that is has entered third-phase development of its central bank digital currency (CBDC). BOT is planning to expand the use of the CBDC among large businesses. The report by The Nation of Thailand quotes Vachira Arromdee, BOT assistant governor saying the central bank is already using the CBDC … Read more

Iran in Talks With 8 Countries for Use of Cryptocurrency in Financial Transactions

Iran is exploring various options, including holding negotiations with other countries to introduce cryptocurrency in global trade, as the Islamic state moves to sidestep U.S. economic sanctions. Mohammad-Reza Modoudi, the acting head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), said the country was negotiating the use of cryptocurrency in its financial transactions with eight countries. Also … Read more

South Korea Announces Crypto Traders Could Face Fines Under New System

The South Korean government has announced that cryptocurrency traders will be fined if they do not convert from existing virtual accounts, which allows for anonymous trading, to real-name accounts. Regardless of their service levels to crypto exchanges, banks have been ordered to implement the new system this month as planned. Also read: South Korea Urges 23 … Read more