US Spot Ether ETFs to Launch on July 23 Pending Final SEC Approval, Analyst Says

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finally gotten back to issuers concerning the final approvals for spot ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Preliminary approval has reportedly been granted for at least three of the eight proposals set to launch next Tuesday. Issuers of these spot ether ETFs have been working with the SEC to … Read more

Bank of Russia Registers Another Digital Asset Issuer

The Central Bank of Russia has added another entity to its register of authorized issuers of digital financial assets. The platform, called ‘Masterchain,’ becomes the fifth ‘information system operator’ in the country that can legally tokenize traditional assets and organize their trade. Number of Licensed Digital Asset Issuers in Russia Grows to Five The Central … Read more

Bill Allows Russian Financial Platforms to Operate Blockchains, Issue Digital Assets

A draft law filed in the Russian parliament permits operators of platforms providing financial services to also run blockchain platforms. The legislation will allow them to combine their regular activities in the traditional financial market with issuing digital assets. New Law Opens Door to Blockchain Space for Russian Financial Service Providers The State Duma, the … Read more

Russia’s Largest Private Bank Launches Digital Asset Platform

Alfa-Bank, one of the major Russian banking institutions, has established its own platform for digital financial assets. The launch became possible after Russia’s monetary authority added Alfa-Bank to its register of digital asset issuers this week. Privately-Owned Alfa-Bank Sets Up Digital Asset Platform With Central Bank’s Permission Russia’s Alfa-Bank has launched ‘A-Token,’ a platform allowing … Read more

Russia’s First Digital Financial Assets Expected This Year, Lawmaker Says

The first digital financial assets based on Russian blockchains may be issued as early as this year, a high-ranking parliamentarian announced. Three platforms are already registered as issuers, said Anatoly Aksakov, who chairs the Financial Market Committee at the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament. Russian Digital Financial Assets Likely to Appear by … Read more

Online Bank Swissquote Begins Offering Clients Access to ICOs

Swissquote, a provider of online financial and trading services in Switzerland, has announced that its clients can now participate in initial coin offerings through its platform. The Swiss bank takes care of both the execution and the custody of tokens. In addition, the bank offers the trading of five major cryptocurrencies. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance … Read more

Draft Regulating ‘Electronic Money’ Prepared in Romania

A draft ordinance aiming to regulate the issuance of “electronic money” has been presented in Romania. The document authored by the Finance Ministry specifies the entities that can act as issuers and clarifies the conditions under which e-money can be emitted. While it does not specifically mention cryptocurrencies, some of its definitions and provisions can … Read more