Xapo Transfers Key Operations to Switzerland

Global crypto services provider Xapo is moving major operations from its base in Hong Kong to its office in Switzerland. The company is incorporated in the Asian financial hub but that may also change soon due to the friendlier business environment in the Alpine nation. Also read: Russian Institutions Back Proposal to Let Companies Use … Read more

Crypto-Friendly Statesman Takes Over Swiss Presidency

After serving as finance minister of one of the most economically influential nations over the past three years, Ueli Maurer is now starting his term as President of the Swiss Confederation. Given his track record and liberal views regarding fintech regulation, Maurer’s election is considered a positive development for the Alpine nation’s expanding crypto industry. Also … Read more

The Daily: Nexo to Pay Interest on Stablecoins, Startups Launch Bank Services

In this edition of The Daily, we cover Nexo’s recent decision to pay interest on stablecoin holdings, as well as a project by two Swiss cryptocurrency companies to offer exchange and custodial solutions for financial institutions that handle digital assets. We also look at Bitfinex’s newly updated app for “on-the-go” traders.  Also read: Security Startup Raises … Read more

Regulations Roundup: Industry Leaders Want Clarity, Alliance Capitals Earns FINMA Warning

In recent news pertaining to cryptocurrency regulations, industry leaders have urged U.S. lawmakers to provide regulatory clarity or risk a crypto firm exodus, a Greek representative to the European Parliament has advocated for a lightweight cryptocurrency apparatus to avoid stifling innovation across the distributed ledger technologies industries, and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority has … Read more

New Stablecoins: From Cryptopound and Metal-Backed Swiss Coin to Mongolian ‘Candy’

Following some notable premiers in the genre recently, the next batch of stablecoins is on the way. A British startup is partnering with a bank to launch a GBP-pegged crypto, a Swiss commodities trader wants to mint a coin backed by metals, and a Mongolian telecom has been licensed to issue the country’s first digital … Read more

Swiss Bankers Association Acts to Prevent Crypto Firm Exodus

The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) has released a set of guidelines intended to bolster the availability of financial services to cryptocurrency companies. They are in response to the stubbornness of many banks to provide financial services to crypto-related businesses. Also Read: Markets Update: Despite Negative Headlines – Crypto-Prices Continue to Rise Swiss Bankers Association Publishes Guidelines Intended to … Read more

More Banks Sanctioned for AML, Fraud-Related Violations

When societies discuss cryptocurrencies, the argument that the decentralized and unregulated nature of the crypto space leaves the door open to abuse, like money laundering and financial fraud, is often put forward by officials and authorities. However, a string of cases involving precisely these sins, and many, many banks, show that regulations are largely ineffective … Read more

The Daily: Revolut to Launch in North America, US Startup Presents Telegram Alternative

Digital bank Revolut is planning to expand its operations in America and Russia. Also, payment card provider Fuzex signs an agreement with Dash, a US-based startup offers an alternative to Telegram, and crypto firm Smart Valor receives approval as a financial operator in Switzerland. Also read: Robinhood Aiming for IPO, Dodgers to Give Away Crypto … Read more

43 Women Nominated for the Board of the Swiss Crypto Valley Association

The Crypto Valley Association in Switzerland has decided to elect two female board members to diversify its male-dominated leadership. The vote scheduled for September 20 has attracted an unexpected number of nominations – 43. The women will fill similar roles to those of the current members, including co-chairing working groups and interacting with authorities and … Read more

Swissquote Reports 44% Increase in Profit After Adding Crypto Services

Swiss online banking group, Swissquote, has benefited greatly from the addition of cryptocurrency investing to the set of services it offers, reporting a significant increase in its H1 2018 profits. The news comes while Switzerland is debating over how to keep crypto businesses in the country when the majority of Swiss banks refuse to provide … Read more