Report: 100,000 Cubans Are Using Cryptocurrencies to Bypass Financial Sanctions

On May 2, 2022, a report stemming from the broadcast television and radio network the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), 100,000 Cubans are leveraging crypto assets. The report says increased crypto usage is due to the fact that Cubans cannot use certain payment vehicles due to the sanctions placed on Cuba by the United States. 100,000 … Read more

Central Bank of Cuba Introduces Specific Virtual Asset Service Providers Regulation

The Cuban government has issued new regulations concerning the operation of virtual asset service providers (VASPs) in the country. In an official resolution, the Bank of Cuba establishes specific procedures that these individuals or companies must follow to operate legally in the country, after establishing a general framework in August. Bank of Cuba Clarifies Rules … Read more

President of Central Bank of Peru Criticizes Crypto, Citing Lack of Intrinsic Value and Climate Change

Julio Velarde, the president of the Central Bank of Peru, attacked the value of cryptocurrencies and referred to negative effects they are said to have on the environment. In a recent interview with local media, Velarde said the Bank did not consider bitcoin a payment method. Instead, Velarde referred to it as a “highly volatile … Read more

Bank of Spain Approves Its First VASP License

The Bank of Spain, the central bank of the country, has recognized the first cryptocurrency platform that will be able to operate and provide officially approved services in the country. The first exchange to receive this approval was Bit2me, which is now approved to act as a virtual asset service provider (VASP). While this is … Read more

Sunacrip Revokes Licenses Of Two Cryptocurrency Exchanges In Venezuela

Sunacrip, the Venezuelan cryptocurrency watchdog, has suspended the operating licenses of two exchanges for lack of compliance with current regulations. The announcement was made by Joselit Ramirez, superintendent of Sunacrip, who also mentioned the exchanges that are approved by the institution, leaving some big names like Binance off of the list. Sunacrip Tightens Compliance Requirements … Read more

Business Advisory Firm Expects Criminal Cryptocurrency Transactions to Fall by 30% by 2024

Gartner, an advisory firm, has predicted that criminal cryptocurrency transactions or transfers will fall by 30% by 2024. The firm says factors such as the transparency of the blockchain, as well as the democratization of fraud prevention tools, will contribute to this decline in such transactions. Blockchain Transparency Despite the surge in the value of … Read more

Estonia Clarifies Upcoming Regulations, Will Not Ban Crypto Holding or Trading

The government of Estonia has approved legislation tailored to improve oversight of its crypto sector which expanded rapidly due to favorable regulations and business climate. The new law, which is yet to be adopted, will introduce stricter requirements for service providers without preventing their clients from owning or exchanging cryptocurrencies. Authorities in Tallinn Draft Stricter … Read more

Donated or Inherited Virtual Assets to Be Taxed by South Korea’s NTS

Starting in the year 2022, donated or inherited virtual assets will be assessed and taxed accordingly, South Korea’s National Tax Service has said. Dunamu, Bithumb Korea, Korbit, and Coinone are the new virtual asset service providers (VASPs) tasked with evaluating digital assets for such tax purposes. Virtual Asset Service Providers Tasked With Evaluating Crypto Gifts … Read more

Argentinian Chamber of Fintech Makes Cryptocurrency Regulation Proposal

The Argentinian Chamber of Fintech, a membership-based organization whose goal is to lead the digitization and modernization of the financial services industry, issued a series of recommendations for the upcoming regulation of virtual assets in the country. The proposed framework asks the government to follow FATF recommendations, and it calls for a clear definition of … Read more

Bank of Spain Opens Mandatory Registry for VASPs

The Bank Of Spain has finally opened the mandatory registry for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in the country. The bank also dispelled doubts that financial institutions had regarding whether they had to apply for the registry given they already comply with AML legislation. All institutions and persons must apply for the registry if they … Read more