Iran Considers Using Cryptocurrencies to Evade US Sanctions

Iran may employ cryptocurrencies as part of its efforts to circumvent the upcoming US sanctions, according to a high-ranking Iranian lawmaker who said the matter will be discussed in parliament soon. The Iranian MP also believes that digital money can help with overcoming the hegemony of the US dollar.    Also read: PBoC: Bitcoin Trading … Read more

India Rejects Venezuelan Crypto Despite 30% Discount

The government of India has formally rejected Venezuela’s state-backed cryptocurrency, the petro, despite an attempt to entice India with a 30% discount. Dependent on the Latin American country’s oil, a steady, uninterrupted supply is key to growing one of the world’s most populous nations. Venezuela is in the midst of dramatically bad economic fortune compounded … Read more

Bitcoin in Brief Tuesday: Crypto Revolution Starts Reshaping Global Politics

Before all the Lambo memes, shady no-product ICOs, and get-rich-quick schemes invaded the scene, Bitcoin was meant to disrupt the current economic system. Today’s edition of Bitcoin in Brief showcases how that promise is starting to materialize in different fields, including the future of elections and geopolitics. Also Read: Bitcoin in Brief Monday: New EU … Read more

$2.5 Billion Sent Out of Iran to Purchase Cryptocurrencies

The chairman of the economic committee of Iran’s parliament has revealed that Iranians have sent more than $2.5 billion out of the country to purchase cryptocurrencies with. His statement follows the country’s central bank banning local banks from dealing with digital currencies including bitcoin. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space $2.5 Billion … 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

Trading Sanctions Imposed on Tezos Co-Founder Amid FINRA Settlement

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), has taken action against Tezos co-founder Arthur Breitman. The Wall Street regulator has fined Mr. Breitman $20,000 USD, banning Tezos from associating with broker-dealers for two years. It’s part of a settlement following FINRA’s accusations that the crypto company’s co-founder made false statements regarding the project whilst employed at … Read more

Bitfinex Rejects All Present and Future Venezuelan Cryptocurrencies

Bitfinex has announced that it will not list or transact Venezuela’s new “oil-backed cryptocurrency” or any other tokens that the country may issue in the future, citing U.S. sanctions. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has reportedly set the minimum investment amount for the petro initial coin offering.  Also read: South Korea Clarifies Position After Reports of Possible … Read more

U.S. Treasury Plans to Add Cryptocurrency Addresses to the SDN List

This week the U.S. Treasury Department issued guidelines on how the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) could add cryptocurrency addresses to the country’s sanction list. Also read: New Tools Help Crypto Traders Make Smarter Decisions Cryptocurrency Addresses to be Added to the U.S. Sanctions List The U.S. government may soon have the ability to add … Read more

Bittrex Bars Users Residing in 5 Countries Under US Embargo

The Bittrex exchange is heading in a rather interesting direction. While the company is looking to make a positive impact, its updated terms of service will undoubtedly raise a lot of questions. More specifically, prohibiting customers in sanction-ridden countries from using this platform sets a dangerous precedent. Bittrex Makes Another Interesting Change In the past year or … Read more

Russia to “Tame and Test” Crypto Technologies in Crimea

A proposal to “tame” crypto technologies in Crimea has been made in Russia’s parliament this week. A local representative of the Russian Association of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain told deputies the republic’s jurisdiction can be used to “test the new phenomenon”. RACIB has been working on a roadmap to implement the “Crypto-Crimea” plan and set up … Read more