By CCN Markets: Facebook has too much power to engage with a cryptocurrency, a United States senator has warned, days after the social media giant launched Libra. Sherrod Brown, a Democratic senator from Ohio, told Bloomberg TV that the public has increasing concerns around the social network. Facebook is too big and too powerful. I don’t know that people would have said that two or three or five years ago, but the public increasingly believes they’re too big and too powerful, particularly to engage in a risky cryptocurrency. Running a cryptocurrency system out of a Swiss bank is a big
Australian Government Publishes Update on Cryptocurrency and ICO Rules
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has published an update on how it intends to regulate crypto-related businesses and initial coin offerings (ICOs).
In this guideline, the financial regulator outlines requirements that need to be followed for cryptocurrency businesses to be compliant with the ASIC Act.
This update is noteworthy as the country continues to battle crypto scams, losing almost $ 4.3 million in 2018.
Going forward, companies issuing crypto assets deemed to be financial products will be required by law to procure an Australian Financial Services (AFS) license. On the flipside, for crypto assets which aren’t financial products, promoters must ensure that they don’t engage in any form of deceptive advertising.
Israeli Court Rules Bitcoin Is an Asset
An Israeli court has ruled that bitcoin is an asset, confirming the central bank’s stance. The case involves the country’s tax authority and the founder of a blockchain startup who argues that profits from the sale of cryptocurrency should be tax-free. The court has ruled in favor of the tax authority, endorsing the central bank’s definition of currency.
Also read: Indian Supreme Court Postpones Crypto Case at Government’s Request
Latest Court Ruling on Nature of Bitcoin
An Israeli central district court reportedly ruled in favor of the country’s tax authority Monday, recognizing bitcoin as a financial asset and not a currency. Profits on its sale in Israel are therefore subject to capital gains tax.
The Hidden Effects of Crypto Money Laundering Rules
CoinDesk’s Noelle Acheson looks at anti-money laundering regulation’s increasing focus on cryptocurrencies, and at the opportunity this presents.
CoinDesk
Israeli Court Rules Against One-Size-Fits-All Bitcoin Ban by Bank
An Israeli court ruled on March 17, 2019, that banks can't enforce a blanket ban against all accounts linked to cryptocurrency. Instead, the court said, banks need to consider the specific type and scope of crypto-related activity before determining whether or not to open an account.
The case involved a lawsuit begun in May 2018 by Israminers, a bitcoin mining company based in Ukraine, against the Union Bank of Israel. The bank refused to accept deposits into the company's account, and ultimately shut the account down because much of the money in the account was related to bitcoin.
Canadian Capital Market Regulators Mull New Cryptocurrency Rules
Capital market regulators in Canada are planning to establish new rules to curb the risks associated with cryptocurrency trading platforms. This follows the sudden death of Gerald Cotten, founder and chief executive officer of crypto exchange Quadrigacx, which led to about $ 145 million in frozen or missing cryptocurrencies.
Also read: Bitcoin Exchange Gatecoin Shuts Down Citing Financial Difficulty
Tailored Requirements for Crypto Exchanges
In a joint new consultation paper on March 14, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) spoke of the need to come up with tailored requirements to address the “novel features and risks” of digital currency exchanges.
Mexico’s Central Bank Publishes ‘Catch-22’ Rules Impacting Crypto Exchanges
The central bank of Mexico has published rules on crypto assets that put crypto exchanges in “a catch-22 type of situation,” the CEO of a local exchange explained to news.Bitcoin.com. They “essentially stipulated that they wouldn’t authorize any cryptocurrency to be offered by regulated financial companies.”
Also read: SEC Chair Explains Key Upgrades Needed for Bitcoin ETF Approval
Regulating Mexico’s Crypto Industry
The Bank of Mexico (Banxico), the country’s central bank, published a circular in the Official Gazette of the Federation on Friday detailing crypto-related provisions for the regulation of financial technology institutions (ITFs).
Indonesia Passes Rules for Trading of Cryptocurrency Futures
An Indonesian financial watchdog has set out new regulations for the trading of crypto assets on futures exchanges in the country.
CoinDesk
European Finance Regulators Call for Bloc-Wide Crypto Rules
Two top European finance regulators, the EBA and the ESMA, have separately said today that cryptocurrency and ICO rules are needed at the EU level.
CoinDesk
Japanese Regulator Publishes Proposed Rules for Crypto Service Providers
Japan’s top financial regulator has published the final report outlining proposed rules for cryptocurrency service providers to follow. The rules address areas such as hacking incidents, coin listings, financial and price disclosures, margin trading, and crypto custodial services.
Also read: Indian Supreme Court Moves Crypto Hearing, Community Calls for Positive Regulations
Final Report of Proposed Rules
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has published the final report from last week’s study group meeting on crypto exchanges detailing requirements “as a precondition of the proper principle of self-responsibility.” The agency expects crypto service providers to follow these rules either by themselves or under the guidance of a self-regulatory organization (SRO). Currently, only one SRO — the Japan Virtual Currency Exchange Association — has been approved by the FSA.
India May Legalize Bitcoin Under “Strong” Rules
India could be making a U-turn on its directives for cryptocurrencies. Per reports from the New India Express, a second interdisciplinary committee set up by the Indian government is considering making cryptocurrencies legal in the country again but with more stringent rules.
This revelation comes just a few months after a government panel suggested the creation of a new regulatory framework within the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that bans digital assets and declares crypto transactions illegal in India.
According to an unnamed senior official who spoke with the New India Express, the committee had met twice, but deliberations were still ongoing.
Chilean Court Rules in Favor of Closing Bank Accounts of Crypto Exchange Orionx
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of Chile has ruled that state-owned Bancoestado was justified in closing the accounts of cryptocurrency exchange Orionx without explanation. The judges ruled that the bank acted in compliance with laws on money laundering and terrorist financing, a threat allegedly posed by censorship-resistant, decentralized cryptocurrencies.
Also read: Finma: Crypto Startups Can Handle up to $ 100M Deposits in Switzerland
Cryptocurrencies Lack ‘Intrinsic Value’
Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are not legally recognized in Chile, but they are not banned, either. Nonetheless, the ruling has significant implications for relations between banks and crypto exchanges. Commercial banks can now shut down exchange accounts without notice, while pointing to laws on money laundering and terrorist financing.
Monumental: Federal Court Rules Case in Favor of Crypto ICO Against SEC
Last week, the U.S. federal court ruled a case between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a crypto initial coin offering (ICO) project called Blockvest in favor of the ICO project. Marco Santori, the president and chief legal officer at Blockchain, said: “The SEC brought an enforcement action against a company called Blockvest,
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Central Bank of Azerbaijan Rules Out Issuing Cryptocurrency
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has indicated that it does not intend to issue a state-backed cryptocurrency, also known as a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Speaking to reporters in Baku on November 15, CBA first Chairman Alim Guliyev stated that the Bank treats cryptocurrencies conservatively, based on a belief that the use of
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Isle of Man Updates Registration Rules for Cryptocurrency Businesses
The financial regulator of the Isle of Man recently introduced changes to its policy governing the registration of companies in the cryptocurrency industry. The British Crown dependency in the Irish Sea is also tightening rules applicable to projects that conduct initial coin offerings (ICOs).
Also read: Vietnam at Crossroads on Cryptocurrency Regulations
Financial Authority Adopts Stricter Requirements
Cryptocurrency companies filing for registration under the the self-governing territory’s Designated Businesses Act 2015 will be required to meet two new criteria. The updated policy states that companies must have at least two directors who are residents of the island. In addition, registered entities must be managed and controlled from the Isle of Man.
South Korean Court Rules Bank’s Action to End Banking Services to Crypto Exchange Illegal
A court in South Korea has ruled that the decision by a commercial bank to stop offering banking services to a cryptocurrency exchange was unlawful and must therefore be rescinded. According to the Central District Court’s 50th Civil Affairs Division, the move by South Korean commercial bank Nonghyup to cease offering deposit and withdrawal services
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Korean Court Rules in Favor of Cryptocurrency Exchange Against Bank
A South Korean district court has ruled that Nonghyup Bank, a major bank in the country, cannot block transactions to the account of cryptocurrency exchange Coinis based solely on the government’s anti-money laundering guidelines. This is reportedly the first time a Korean crypto exchange has taken legal action against a bank for blocking its transactions.
Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space
Court Sided With Crypto Exchange
The 50th Civil Affairs Division of the Seoul Central District Court has ruled in favor of cryptocurrency exchange Coinis against Nonghyup Bank, local media reported.
Chinese Civil Court Rules Bitcoin as Legally Protected Property
A case involving almost half a million dollars in cryptocurrency led to an important new precedent in China. A high Chinese court, the Court of International Arbitration, ruled that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are valuable personal property and are therefore protected under existing Chinese law. The court also stated that there is no law on
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SEC’s New Fintech Hub Helps Blockchain Startups Navigate ICO Rules
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced today the launch of a “New Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology.” In a surprising move, the project — dubbed “FinHub” — allows blockchain innovators and initial coin offering (ICO) operators, among other fintech stakeholders, to speak with the SEC directly on rules and market integrity. As the
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Norway Establishes New Rules for Crypto Service Providers
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway is enforcing new money laundering regulations that apply to crypto exchange and storage providers in the country. The law will go into effect on Oct. 15 and will affect companies established in Norway including branches of overseas companies.
Also read: 160 Crypto Exchanges Seek to Enter Japanese Market, Regulator Reveals
New Rules Effective Oct. 15
Finanstilsynet, the Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) of Norway, announced Thursday that the country’s Ministry of Finance has established new money laundering regulations which apply to “Norwegian providers of virtual currency exchange and storage services.”