Nearly 70,000 Issued Binance Refugee Crypto Card for Ukrainians

Thousands of Ukrainians have ordered a crypto card issued by the world’s leading digital asset exchange, Binance, for its users from the war-torn country. The card allows people displaced by the ongoing conflict with Russia to make payments and receive financial support. Binance Announces Results From Efforts to Help Ukrainian Refugees Between April 26 and … Read more

ECB Favors Transparency Over Privacy in Digital Euro Design, Presentation Reveals

The European Central Bank (ECB) leans toward a “transparent” digital euro over one that ensures a higher level of privacy for its users, a presentation devoted to the project has indicated. In the document, the monetary authority explores different privacy options for the eurozone’s digital fiat. User Anonymity Not Desirable for Digital Euro, ECB Says … Read more

Georgians Sell Russian Regions as NFTs to Raise Money for Ukraine

A tech innovations firm based in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi is now “selling Russia piece by piece” in the form of NFTs. The money from the collectibles, representing almost 2,500 Russian regions, will be used to help rebuild Ukraine, which was invaded by the Russian army two months ago. Georgian Project Auctions NFTs of Russian Land, … Read more

Russia’s Sberbank Denies Involvement in Recently Launched ‘Sbercoin’

Sberbank, the largest bank in the Russian Federation, has denied connection to a new cryptocurrency called “sbercoin.” The project is offering high returns to buyers of the token, which was launched shortly after Bank of Russia allowed Sberbank to issue digital currencies. Sbercoin Traded on Pancakeswap Exchange, Not Issued by Sberbank A crypto project called … Read more

European Commission to Launch Digital Euro Consultations in March, Propose Bill Early Next Year

The executive arm of the EU is gearing up to start public consultations on the digital euro project next month. The European Commission will also prepare new legislation to establish the legal basis for the digital version of the common European fiat. A draft is expected in 2023. EU Finance Chief Announces Legislative Plan for … Read more

Swiss National Bank Trials CBDC in Transactions With Five Banks

The Swiss National Bank has successfully employed a wholesale CBDC to settle transactions with five commercial banks, the monetary authority announced. The tests are part of an experiment carried out together with the Bank for International Settlements and Switzerland’s financial services provider SIX. Swiss Central Bank Tests Integration of Wholesale CBDC Settlement With Private Banks … Read more

Kazakhstan Mulls Nuclear Power to Deal With Electricity Shortages Blamed on Crypto Miners

The government in Kazakhstan is considering building a nuclear power plant to overcome an electricity deficit allegedly caused by the booming crypto mining industry. Problems with power supply are driving away miners that saw the Central Asian country as a new home when China recently cracked down on the industry. NPP Project Revived Amid Short … Read more

Russia to Allow Foreign Residents to Own and Use Digital Ruble

The central bank of Russia intends to ensure that the digital ruble is convertible to foreign currencies and can be used by non-residents. In a document devoted to the digitalization of the Russian financial sector, the regulator reiterates its concerns over the risks associated with cryptocurrencies and insists that state-issued digital currencies are safer. Bank … Read more

Central Banks of France, Switzerland and BIS Complete Cross-Border CBDC Trial

Bank of France, the Swiss National Bank (SNB), and the Bank for International Settlements have successfully tested the application of wholesale central bank digital currency in cross-border payments. The project used distributed ledger technology and was realized with help from private firms. France and Switzerland Explore Direct Transfer of Euro, Swiss Franc Wholesale Digital Currencies … Read more

Crypto Stamp Crashes Swiss Post’s Online Store With Launch Day Demand

Unexpectedly high demand for Switzerland’s first crypto stamp has created headaches for the national postal service. Swiss Post announced it had to deal with technical issues when numerous orders hit its online shop all at once on the day the innovative offering was made available. Demand for First Crypto Stamp Overwhelms Swiss Post’s Online Store … Read more