US Bitcoin Trader Convicted for Illegal Money Transmission and Laundering

The U.S. government has been cracking down on individuals utilizing the peer-to-peer platform Localbitcoins. This week an Arizona resident named Thomas Costanzo was convicted for money laundering tied to over $164,000 worth of cryptocurrency trades. Also Read: Arizona Localbitcoins Trader Detained by U.S. Homeland Security Two Years Worth of BTC Trades Investigated The U.S. Attorneys Office … Read more

Russians Owe 13% Tax on Their Crypto Incomes

Russian citizens are expected to pay 13 percent tax on their crypto-related incomes. Amendments to the tax code are currently being prepared. The exact rates should be confirmed by the end of the year. However, lawyers have warned that even now citizens risk criminal prosecution if they fail to report gains from dealings with cryptocurrencies. … Read more

Gazprombank to Try Crypto Deals in Switzerland

Gazprombank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions, is planning to perform some cryptocurrency deals by the end of the year. According to one of its top managers, the bank is responding to demand from “substantial clients”. The pilot transactions will be conducted through its subsidiary in Switzerland. Also read: New Bill Aims to Allow Crypto … Read more

Ukraine to Legalize Crypto Mining as Economic Activity

The government in Kiev has taken concrete steps to legalize cryptocurrency mining. Ukraine’s Minister of Economy has ordered several ministries, agencies, and the National Bank to prepare the documents necessary to include mining in the state register of economic activities. Also read: Ukraine’s Financial Watchdog Clarifies Stance on Cryptos Easing the Pressure on the Crypto … Read more

Dutch Finance Minister Advocates Changes to European Crypto Laws

Wopke Hoekstra, the Dutch finance minister, has issued a letter to Holland’s parliament describing the current regulatory framework pertaining to cryptocurrencies as “insufficiently equipped.” The minister advocates the development regional and international regulatory efforts in response to the burgeoning digital currency phenomenon. Also Read: Excessive Crypto Regulation Not Optimal, EU Banking Authority Says Dutch Cryptocurrency Investment … Read more

Research Paper Says Issuers of ICO Tokens Will Face Class Action Lawsuits

This month a law firm called Polsinelli LLP published a study called “Cryptocurrency Class Action Lawsuits: A New Frontier” which explains that initial coin offerings (ICO) will spark a large number of litigation proceedings against cryptocurrency projects and businesses. Also read: New Study Looks at the Cost to Mine BTC Across the Globe ‘ICOs May Be … Read more

Ukraine’s Financial Watchdog Clarifies Stance on Cryptos

The State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine has published its official position on crypto matters. While offering some borrowed definitions of terms like virtual currency and mining, the agency notes that changes to the legal status of cryptocurrencies in the country are expected. Also read: Uzbekistan to Legalize Bitcoin and Support Developers Due Diligence In … Read more

Malta to Give “Peace of Mind” to Crypto Companies

The government of Malta has come up with an idea that businesses dealing with cryptocurrencies may find interesting. A new policy document seeks to set up a special agency which will “certify” blockchain platforms and “verify” crypto transactions. It is supposed to “bring peace of mind” to companies using these technologies to cut out central … Read more

Several States Spearhead Bitcoin Adoption in the U.S.

U.S. states with positive attitudes have advanced towards bitcoin legalization – a process that a growing number of elected officials consider inevitable, if not desirable. Numerous crypto-friendly bills have been introduced, and some of them have received approval in committees and houses of state legislatures. One wouldn’t necessarily think of states like Arizona, Tennessee, and … Read more

Arizona Closer to Accepting Bitcoin and Regulating ICOs

Arizona may become the first U.S. state to legalize bitcoin as a payment option for tax purposes. Bills to that end have been advancing in the State Legislature, with one of them already passed by the Senate Finance Committee. First reading of a draft law regulating ICOs has been scheduled, too. The Grand Canyon State … Read more