Russian Finance Ministry Rules Out Sale of Oil for Bitcoin

The Russian government considers bitcoin as a payment option for small business transactions, not for oil exports, the country’s finance ministry has indicated. A top official emphasized the department means that cryptocurrencies may be used in barter deals, but not as legal tender. Crypto Payments Not for Russian State Settlements, Ministry of Finance Says Cryptocurrency … Read more

Russian Parliament to Review Bill Prohibiting Crypto Payments

Legislation making it illegal to pay with cryptocurrencies has been filed with the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament. The sponsors of the bill want to task crypto platforms to prevent transactions that could facilitate payments with digital assets. Draft Law Banning Use of Cryptocurrency for Payments Submitted to Russian Parliament Russian lawmakers … Read more

EU Nears Agreement on Crypto Regulations, Report Reveals

Authorities in the EU are moving closer to a deal on a legislative package tailored to comprehensively regulate the crypto market and related activities in Europe. According a media report, an agreement on the key legislation is likely to be reached as early as this month. Deal on EU Crypto Law Expected by End of … Read more

Lithuanian Government Approves Stricter Crypto Regulations

The government in Vilnius has approved amendments introducing more stringent regulations for the country’s growing crypto space. The legislation is aimed at managing risks associated with crypto assets and preventing Russian attempts to circumvent Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine. Lithuanian Authorities to Tighten Rules for Crypto Industry Lithuania is preparing to revise … Read more

Japan Adopts Legislation Establishing Legal Framework for Stablecoins

The parliament of Japan has approved a draft law tailored to regulate stablecoins in the country and protect investors. The new legislation is among the first to be introduced after the recent collapse of the algorithmic stablecoin terrausd. Law on Stablecoins Approved in Japan in Aftermath of UST Collapse Lawmakers in Japan have passed a … Read more

Crypto Miners Account for Over 2% of Electricity Consumption in Russia, Estimate Suggests

The share of crypto miners in Russia’s power consumption structure already exceeds 2%, according to a new government estimate. On this backdrop, the country’s industry ministry believes it’s time to bring the sector out of the shadows and regulate it. Crypto Miners Burn More Electricity Than Russian Farmers Miners extracting digital currencies account for more … Read more

No Tax Amnesty for Russian Crypto Miners as Lawmakers Withdraw Proposal

A new draft law has replaced an earlier bill introducing a one-year tax and customs amnesty for cryptocurrency miners in Russia. The initial proposal has been withdrawn on the grounds that the tax break would have resulted in losses for the state budget. Revised Crypto Mining Legislation Submitted to Russian Parliament Without Amnesty for Miners … Read more

ECB Survey Finds 10% of Eurozone Households Own Crypto Assets

One in every 10 households in six eurozone countries has acquired cryptocurrencies, the European Central Bank (ECB) has found with a new survey. While the richest are most likely to own crypto assets, poor families are not far behind, the poll indicates. Dutch Households Lead in Terms of Crypto Ownership, ECB Survey Shows Every tenth … Read more