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

Regulators Partner to Bolster UAE’s Crypto Hub Status

United Arab Emirates (UAE) regulators, SCA and VARA, have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen the country’s position as a virtual assets hub. The agreement outlines licensing requirements for VASPs, establishes mutual supervision mechanisms, and aims to foster a stable and regulated virtual assets sector in the UAE. Both regulators will work together to ensure … Read more

South Korean Regulator Unveils Plan to Inspect Crypto Exchanges for Illegal Practices

South Korea’s financial regulator, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), will inspect crypto exchanges to identify illegal practices following stricter regulations under the Virtual Asset Users Protection Act. The review aims to ensure compliance and safeguard crypto assets, with severe penalties for violations, including life imprisonment for profiting over five billion won illegally. South Korea’s Financial … Read more

40 Nations Join US and South Korea in Combating North Korean Crypto Crimes

The U.S. Department of State and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-hosted a symposium in New York City on Tuesday, focusing on protecting the virtual asset industry from exploitation by North Korea (DPRK) and disrupting its revenue generation. The event aimed to curb DPRK’s efforts to fund its weapons of mass destruction … Read more

Bank of Ghana Unveils Proposed Virtual Asset Regulations

The Bank of Ghana has released draft regulations aimed at creating a framework for the cryptocurrency industry. The rules are designed to protect consumers, prevent financial crimes, and encourage financial inclusion. Virtual asset service providers (VASPs) will be required to register and meet strict standards, while commercial banks are prohibited from dealing directly with virtual … Read more

Seychelles Approves Bill on Virtual Asset Regulation

The Seychelles National Assembly has approved a draft bill to regulate virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The bill requires license-seeking VASPs to establish a substantial presence in Seychelles, such as having a resident director and an office with competent staff. The law aims to balance innovation with anti-money laundering efforts, adhering to Financial Action Task … Read more

UAE Bank Launches VASP-Focused Accounts for Managing User Funds

Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), a United Arab Emirates-based bank, has launched dedicated accounts for virtual asset service providers to manage client funds. CEO Bernd van Linder said the move aligns with CBD’s core banking services and supports the bank’s plans to foster the digital economy. VASP Accounts Align With Bank’s Vision Commercial Bank of … Read more

Three-Quarters of Jurisdictions Partially or Not Compliant with VASP Sector Recommendation, Says FATF

Three-quarters of the jurisdictions surveyed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “are only partially or not compliant” with the anti-money laundering recommendation for the virtual assets sector. According to the latest FATF update, 60% (88 jurisdictions) have decided to permit virtual asset service providers (VASPs), while 14% (20 jurisdictions) explicitly prohibit them. The FATF … Read more