Bill Imposing Fines for Illegal Issuance and Exchange of Digital Assets Proposed in Russia

A bill introducing financial penalties for those who illegally issue or exchange digital financial assets has been filed in the Russian parliament. The legislation has been submitted by the sponsor of another draft law banning their use as a means of payment. New Bill Targets Russian Platforms Issuing and Trading Digital Currencies Outside Law Persons … Read more

Number of Busted Illegal Crypto Mining Farms in Iran Nears 7,000

Authorities in Iran have shut down close to 7,000 unauthorized facilities for cryptocurrency mining in the past two years, local media revealed. According to a report, most of the illegal bitcoin farms were concentrated in five provinces of the Islamic Republic, including Tehran. Iran Continues Crackdown on Unlicensed Cryptocurrency Mining Iranian officials have unplugged and … Read more

Moody’s: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Help Russia Evade Sanctions

Russia’s ability to employ cryptocurrencies to circumvent international sanctions is restricted by the limited size of the crypto market, according to Moody’s. Despite increased use in small transactions, low liquidity is another factor preventing Russians from exploiting the utility of bitcoin and the like. Crypto Assets Not Viable Option for Sanctioned Russia, Moody’s Report Suggests … Read more

Sanctioned Russia, Iran May Turn to Crypto Mining to Monetize Energy, IMF Says

Nations like Russia and Iran may utilize cryptocurrency mining to monetize their energy resources and circumvent sanctions, the International Monetary Fund predicts in a report. Repercussions of the war in Ukraine continue to reverberate globally and cryptoization is one of the effects, the IMF says. War, Sanctions Lead to Wider Spread of Crypto Assets, Report … Read more

EU Bans High-Value Crypto Services to Russia in New Round of Sanctions

European institutions are closing crypto loopholes for Russia with the latest package of penalties imposed by the EU over Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine. The new sanctions prohibit the provision of “high-value” crypto-asset services to Russian entities and residents. EU Limits Russian Crypto Wallet Deposits to €10,000 Expanding its sanctions in response to the Russian military … Read more

Sanctions May Not Affect Russia’s Access to Crypto, Reports Claim

As sanctions rain on Russia, following the Kremlin’s decision to invade Ukraine, media reports have suggested that they are unlikely to limit the country’s access to crypto assets. While the Russian elite may use them to circumvent restrictions, ordinary Russians are also likely to keep trading digital coins on foreign platforms. Cryptocurrencies Deemed Potential Tool … Read more

Spain Modifies Tax Model 720, Used to Declare Cryptocurrency Holdings Abroad

The Spanish parliament has introduced an amendment to the tax model 720 used to declare cryptocurrency and other holdings abroad, softening some of the penalties associated with it. The modification, which has not yet been approved, changes some of the harsher penalties that were declared illegal by the Court of Justice of the European Union … Read more

Bank of Spain Opens Mandatory Registry for VASPs

The Bank Of Spain has finally opened the mandatory registry for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in the country. The bank also dispelled doubts that financial institutions had regarding whether they had to apply for the registry given they already comply with AML legislation. All institutions and persons must apply for the registry if they … Read more

Alibaba Suspends Sale of Cryptocurrency Mining Hardware on Its Platform

Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, has announced it will no longer allow the sale of cryptocurrency mining gear on its platform. The sales behemoth made this announcement yesterday via its official website. The move is a direct consequence of the latest ban the Chinese government has applied to cryptocurrency trading and mining. Other institutions and … Read more