CFTC’s Christopher Giancarlo Criticizes Outdated Regulatory Mandate

The chairman of the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Christopher Giancarlo, recently discussed the challenges associated with assessing the regulatory implications of bitcoin and cryptocurrency according to the CFTC’s “decades[-]old” legislative mandate. Also Read: Openbazaar Co-Founder Expresses Frustration Over BTC Fees CFTC Chairman Criticizes 1930’s Legislative Apparatus In a recent interview with CNBC, Mr. … Read more

Telegram Rakes in Over $1.5 Billion, Ditches ICO for an Open Network & Token

The Wall Street Journal reported Telegram has raised $1.7 billion in anticipation of an initial coin offering (ICO). However, the company has instead decided to scrap its much publicized ICO in favor of beefing up its popular messaging service and expanding into tokenization. Also read: Microsociety Fort Galt in Chile Uses Bitcoin to Build Anew … Read more

Australia Cracks Down on Misleading and Deceptive Initial Coin Offerings

Australia’s financial regulator is cracking down on deceptive and misleading initial coin offerings (ICOs), citing “a serious breach of the Australian law.” As a result of the regulator’s inquiries, some issuers have halted their token sales or are modifying their structures. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space ASIC Takes Action Against ICOs … Read more

Bitcoin Is Not Used by Organized Crime Syndicates Says Hong Kong Government

Bitcoin is often accused by regulators, governments and central bankers as being a tool for money laundering by criminal organizations, usually without presenting any evidence. A new report from Hong Kong, a major international financial hub and nexus for trade between China and the whole world, spells this out clearly.  Also Read: Bitcoin in Brief … Read more

South Korean Lawmakers Draft Bill to Legalize Some Initial Coin Offerings

A group of South Korean lawmakers is working on a bill to legalize initial coin offerings (ICOs), providing they meet certain conditions under the supervision of the government. Meanwhile, the current ICO ban in the country has driven many domestic corporations to raise capital overseas. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space Bill … Read more

This Guy Is Fighting a Legal Battle with the CFTC over Bitcoin Classification

A few months ago the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) charged a Staten Island-based company called Cabbage Tech with ‘fraud and misappropriation’ of funds based in Bitcoin and Litecoin. According to the CFTC, it revealed it had charged Patrick McDonnell and his company Cabbage Tech for crimes associated with allegedly promising big returns on … Read more

SEC Official Criticizes State of ICO Industry, Open to Regulated Future

United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commissioner, Robert Jackson, has expressed his belief that initial coin offerings (ICOs) will be legitimized under existing securities legislation. Despite the optimistic outlook, the commissioner has criticized the current state of the ICO industry. Also Read: Taxis Take BCH, Stores Sell BTC in the Russian City of Rostov  SEC … Read more

Japanese Regulator Confirms 8 Crypto Exchanges Want Out, 100 Want In

The Japanese financial regulator has confirmed that so far eight companies have expressed the intention to withdraw their applications to operate cryptocurrency exchanges. Meanwhile, about 100 more companies are seeking to enter the market. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space FSA Confirms Eight Want Out The Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) held … Read more

Binance to Invest $15 Million in Bermuda as Crypto Regulations Advance

While some governments say they see the potential future benefits of a local cryptocurrency hub, more proactive jurisdictions are already reaping the rewards. The latest example comes from Bermuda, which is rapidly advancing its receptive crypto regulations and strengthening the local economy.   Also Read: Hong Kong Alcohol Company Buys 51% of Bitcoin Miner for … Read more

Iran Continues to Develop State Cryptocurrency Despite Central Bank Ban

Iran has been developing its own cryptocurrency, a project which has yielded an experimental local crypto, despite the country’s central bank banning banks from dealing with cryptocurrencies. Iran’s Information and Communications Technology Minister has shed light on the project, commented on its alleged use to evade sanctions, and clarified the central bank’s action. Also read: Yahoo! … Read more