The Daily: Blackrock Probes Market, Coinbase to List Securities, Bitpay Gets a Bitlicense

In today’s edition of Bitcoin in Brief we cover the news that the world’s largest asset manager Blackrock is examining the crypto market, Coinbase is approved to list security tokens, and Bitpay got a New York Bitlicense. Additionally, the BCH exchange rate is now displayed directly on Google. Also Read: UK Mosque Collects Four Times … Read more

Japanese Regulator Responds to Reports of Overhauling Crypto Regulation

Japan’s top financial regulator has responded to media reports that it is considering overhauling the way cryptocurrency is regulated in the country. The authority has been under fire for the inadequacy of its crypto exchange registration process after it issued business improvement orders to a number of exchanges it previously approved. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms … Read more

ICO Round-Up: Social Media Influencers Bypass Ad Ban, Centra Tokens Deemed Securities

Three stories dominate this week’s initial coin offering (ICO) round up: It appears many ICO projects are reaching out to social media influencers in an effort to thwart advertising bans across leading platforms. A study published by the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) suggested that the country develop a licenced-based regulatory apparatus that permits cryptocurrency … Read more

Uphold to Acquire JNK Securities, Opening Door for US-Regulated ICO Trading

It seems that a race to take over US-licensed brokerages has begun among crypto companies. Soon after Coinbase revealed it is buying up a securities firm, Uphold has now followed the move with its own acquisition. JNK Securities’ licenses could possibly open the door for the company to offer trading on ICO tokens deemed securities … Read more

SEC Executive: ‘Cryptocurrencies with Decentralized Structures Not Securities’

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s head of the Division of Corporate Finance, William Hinman, stated during the Yahoo All Markets Summit today in San Francisco that cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH are not securities. Soon after the SEC executive made the statements, cryptocurrency markets saw some gains as BTC rose $350 immediately after the news … Read more

Regulations Round-Up: SEC “Underwhelmed” by Exchanges’ Reporting, Quebec Halts New Mining Operations Again

In recent regulatory news, Brett Redfearn, the director of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Division of Trading and Markets, has described the self-reporting efforts of cryptocurrency exchanges as “underwhelm[ing],” Hydro-Quebec has again suspended new applications from mining companies seeking to operate in the province, and the SEC has published a new page … Read more

Coinbase Inches Closer to Listing Securities With Three Acquisitions

With the debate on which digital assets should be considered securities and which shouldn’t dominating the crypto universe in recent months, crypto exchanges are taking measures to align themselves with whichever way the law swings. Coinbase is leading in this race with a number of initiatives in recent months that include applying for a banking … Read more

Coinbase Seeks Approval to Trade SEC-Regulated Securities

Coinbase is one of the most remarkable companies in the cryptocurrency industry. It is evident the company will continue to have a positive impact on this space for quite some time to come. Its latest venture involves operating as a regulated and licensed broker-dealer. Another Major Coinbase Development While some people love Coinbase and others hate … Read more

Regulations Round-Up: CFTC Rejects FOIA Request, SEC Not Modifying Securities Laws

In recent regulatory news, the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has rejected a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding the subpoenas recently received by Bitfinex and Tether; the United States Securities and Exchanges (SEC) Chairman, Jay Clayton, has indicated that the regulator will not alter existing securities legislation to cater to cryptocurrencies. … Read more

Circle to Seek Federal Banking Licensing with U.S. OCC

Circle Internet Financial Ltd has revealed that it is currently seeking to obtain a federal banking license with the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in order to expand the services available to the company’s customers. It also hopes to pursue registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a … Read more