Bank of Spain Criticizes El Salvador’s Foray Into Bitcoin

The Bank of Spain, the central bank of the country, criticized the adoption process El Salvador chose when declaring Bitcoin legal tender last month. In a report titled “The role of crypto assets as legal tender: the example of El Salvador,” the bank examines several pain points the country encountered while applying its bitcoin strategy, … Read more

Zimbabwe Proposes Inclusion of VASPs in Its Securities Law — Move Applauded as ‘Step in Right Direction’

The Zimbabwean government recently revealed its intention to widen the definition of securities to include virtual asset service providers (VASPs). According to a document released by the cabinet, the proposed inclusion of VASPs into the category of defined securities will be made possible via the amendment of the Securities and Exchange Act. The Money Laundering … Read more

FATF’s Annual Crypto Review Highlights ‘Continued Use of Anonymity Tactics’ and ‘Lack of Effective’ Regulation

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has published the organization’s 12-month review and the research highlights that only 45% of the 128 reporting jurisdictions have complied with AML/CFT policy and FATF recommendations. The annual review stresses that the “lack [of] effective” regulation makes it “challenging for competent authorities to follow the transaction trail, buying more … Read more

Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority Wants Government to Formulate a Crypto Regulatory Framework

Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) says it wants the country’s Finance Ministry to help formulate a regulatory framework for crypto service providers. According to the FIA, this call for the government’s intervention has prompted by the Ugandan crypto industry’s failure to comply with an earlier plea for industry players to register. Terrorism Concerns Furthermore, in … Read more

Kyrgyzstan Central Bank Is Set to Introduce Bills to Monitor Crypto Exchanges Activities and Forcing Them to Apply for Permits

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic (NBKR) revealed its new-year plans for the national crypto industry. They are about to introduce two drafts to regulate the country’s exchanges that aim to combat terrorism, money laundering, and protecting consumers. Kyrgyzstan Central Bank Set to Introduce Two Crypto Bills to Combat Terrorism Financing and Fraud According … Read more

Banks in Mexico Pose Greater Money Laundering Risk Than Crypto Firms, Says Report

Commercial banks by far pose the greatest risk of money laundering in Mexico compared to crypto-related companies, according to a new report by the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The study singles out what it calls the “G7 banking group”, which includes BBVA, Santander, Citibanamex, Banorte, HSBC, Scotiabank, and Inbursa, as the biggest conduits of … Read more

No Evidence ISIS Is Storing $300 Million in Bitcoin, Says Chainalysis

Blockchain intelligence firm Chainalysis has dismissed claims ISIS is holding a $300 million bitcoin (BTC) war chest. In a “fact-checking” report, published on May 20, 2020, the U.S. company accused the media of sensationalizing allegations about BTC and other cryptocurrencies being used to fund terror groups. Most terrorism financing campaigns have raised less than $10,000 … Read more

Australia’s Financial Intelligence Agency Registers 246 Bitcoin Exchanges

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Austrac) has now officially registered 246 cryptocurrency exchanges. Pro-regulation industry participants have described the move as a key step towards legitimizing crypto assets. The registration process includes performing background checks and other anti-money laundering procedures on the entities involved. Also read: Coincheck Registers 1.7M New Users Since Resuming Operations … Read more

EU Adopts Rules to Reduce Anonymity for Crypto Users

A directive affecting the crypto sector in Europe has been adopted by the EU Council. The document updates the anti-money laundering legislation of the European Union to address, among other issues, “the risks linked to virtual currencies.” The new rules aim to reduce anonymity for both users and transactions with requirements for know-your-customer procedures that … 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