Latvia Recognizes Cryptocurrencies in Order to Tax Them

Trying to take its share of the profits, the government of Latvia may accept cryptocurrencies as a legal means of exchange. This year’s tax filing campaign is underway and officials don’t have much time. Two parliamentary commissions and the Ministry of Finance have expressed their views on the matter this week. Latvians may very soon … Read more

The Challenge of Conforming Crypto to the Language of Regulation – or Vice Versa

An often overlooked hurdle in the formulation of legislative apparatus for cryptocurrency is the challenge of adapting cryptocurrency to the classifications and language of financial regulations. Also Read: Research Paper Declares Bitcoin Compliant With Shariah Law Language Barrier Between Regulators and Crypto Community A recent article authored by Jonathan Chester, the chief executive officer of Bitwage, … Read more

Crypto Community Fears Passage of the CLOUD Act

The Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act just passed – almost in secret – tucked deep inside a voluminous spending package of well over a trillion dollars. No debate. No up or down vote on the merits of CLOUD. Instead, lawmakers would have had to reject the entire bill, thousands of pages, and … 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

Popular Social Networks in Russia to Accept Bitcoin

Two Russian-based social networking platforms have announced they are now accepting cryptocurrency payments. Vkontakte, the most popular social media among Russian-speaking users, and Odnoklassniki, which has many subscribers in former Soviet states, will take bitcoin from advertisers. They also intend to start paying developers and partners in cryptocurrency. Also read: Russian Supreme Court to Decide … Read more

New Malaysian Cryptocurrency Regulation Come Into Effect

Last week, Malaysia’s new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) policy guidelines specifically addressing cryptocurrencies came into effect. The new regulations compel Malaysian virtual currency exchanges to mandate KYC adherence, including the collection of ID documentation. Also Read: Two Indian Token Marketplaces Suspend Trading Due to Regulatory Pressure New Malaysian AML/CFT Guidelines for Cryptocurrencies … Read more

Crypto Tax Breaks Proposed by Officials in Russia

Tax exemptions on profits from crypto-related transactions have been proposed during a meeting at the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia. Participants also called for a 10 fold increase of the limit for individual investments in ICOs. Russians should be allowed to open accounts with foreign exchanges, officials insisted.   Also read: Russian Lawmaker Proposes … 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

Court Will Not Seize Crypto as Debt Payment from Bankrupt Citizen in Russia

The Moscow bankruptcy court has ruled that cryptocurrencies of a bankrupt debtor will not be seized to pay his creditors. The trustee for the case has failed to convince the judge to include the debtor’s cryptocurrencies in the bankruptcy estate. Also read: Indians Look to Buy Bitcoin Overseas as Regulations Tighten Court Rejects Crypto in Bankruptcy … Read more