FATF Urges India to Strengthen Virtual Asset Regulation

India has achieved a high level of technical compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, addressing illicit finance, money laundering, and terrorist financing. In a joint assessment with regional bodies, the FATF praised India’s progress but pointed out areas needing improvement, especially in regulating the non-financial sector and virtual asset providers. The country was … Read more

French Regulator Begins Accepting Crypto Service Provider Applications Ahead of MiCA Regulation

The French financial regulatory authority has begun accepting applications for authorization as a crypto asset service provider under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation, ahead of its implementation in December 2024. This regulation mandates prior authorization for market participants offering crypto asset services in the EU, with strict adherence to anti-money laundering, cybersecurity, and … Read more

New Senate Bill Empowers US Secret Service to Combat Digital Asset Cybercrimes

U.S. senators have introduced legislation to empower the Secret Service to combat cybercrimes involving digital assets. This legislation addresses the growing use of cryptocurrencies for illicit activities and mandates the Government Accountability Office to evaluate law enforcement’s effectiveness in tackling money laundering in cyber crimes. New Bill Targets Cybercrime and Money Laundering with Digital Assets … Read more

Treasury Official Confirms Crypto Isn’t a Popular Tool for Terrorists — Says They ‘Prefer Traditional Products’

U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Under Secretary Brian E. Nelson has confirmed that terrorists’ use of crypto remains a small fraction of more established mechanisms to move money. He also admitted that “digital assets were not even a popular tool for Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad” and “Hamas is using crypto in relatively small … Read more

US Treasury Report Warns of Defi’s Threat to National Security, Authors Conclude Fiat Is Used in Illicit Finance More Than Crypto

The U.S. Treasury has released a 42-page report assessing the risks of decentralized finance (defi). The report states that specific nation-state adversaries, cybercriminals, ransomware attackers, thieves, and scammers are using defi to “transfer and launder their illicit proceeds.” The Treasury’s report warns that defi could threaten national security and calls for policymakers to increase oversight. … Read more

South African Banking Regulator: ‘De-risking’ Crypto Firms Potentially Creates ‘Opacity in Financial Conduct’

According to the latest guidance note issued by the South African banking sector regulator, Prudential Authority, risk assessment does not mean financial institutions should avoid or eliminate risks via the wholesale termination of client relationships with entities such as crypto asset service providers. Instead, the regulator wants financial institutions to only consider “de-risking” when the … Read more

Seychelles Examines the Pros and Cons of Licensing Crypto Trading Platforms

Seychelles’ Financial Services Authority (FSA) together with the country’s finance ministry, is reportedly working on a policy to either prohibit or license crypto trading platforms as registered international businesses. Increase in International Investigations of Crypto Platforms According to a report, the move by the FSA happens against the backdrop of a rising number of international … Read more

Cryptocurrency Is Providing a Lucrative New Revenue Stream for Governments

Cryptocurrency’s resistance to government control is countered by the fact that a number of governments, including Chile, Romania, Spain and South Africa, are looking to cash in by taxing crypto assets. These countries are crafting laws that bind citizens to annually disclose cryptocurrency investments that, in some cases, are held at home and abroad, and … Read more