Slovenia has issued a sovereign digital on-chain bond worth $32.5 million (30 million euros), marking the first such issuance by a European Union country. The bond, issued on July 25, is part of an experimental project with the European Central Bank’s (ECB) wholesale central bank money (CeBM) program. The bond settlement was executed using a...
Legal & Regulations
Greece Moves to Regulate Crypto Amid Surging Adoption
Authorities and investors in Greece are increasingly concerned about the lack of clear regulatory and tax frameworks for cryptocurrencies, as digital asset adoption reaches new heights in the country. This concern has been fueled by the rapid growth in cryptocurrency use, particularly among young adults around the age of 30, driven in part by the...
Republicans Push for Bitcoin Mining and Self-Custody Rights
The Republican Party has reinforced its support for Bitcoin by backing Americans’ right to own and mine the cryptocurrency. According to the 2024 GOP platform draft, the party is committed to making America a global hub for crypto. They plan to end the Democrats’ crackdown on crypto, which they label as “unlawful and unAmerican.” The...
Ethereum Cleared by SEC, Investigation Closed Permanently
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially concluded its investigation into Ethereum, deciding not to pursue any charges alleging that sales of ETH are securities transactions. This decision marks a significant milestone for Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency globally. The closure of the investigation follows a letter from Ethereum developer ConsenSys, which asked...
Trump Pledges to End Biden’s Cryptocurrency Crackdown
Former United States President Donald Trump has pledged to end President Joe Biden’s stringent cryptocurrency policies if he is re-elected. Speaking at an event in West Palm Beach, Florida, on his 78th birthday, Trump criticized Biden’s “war on crypto” and promised to secure and develop the future of Bitcoin and crypto in America, particularly in...
Euro Stablecoins to Thrive Under New EU MiCA Guidelines
The impending launch of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is expected to significantly boost the adoption of Euro-backed stablecoins. According to a recent report by Kaiko Research, the MiCA guidelines, set to take effect by the end of June, will provide much-needed regulatory clarity for stablecoins, encouraging their use within the EU....
DFSA Amends Crypto Regulations in Dubai’s Special Economic Zone
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has updated its cryptocurrency token rules, aiming to enhance the regulatory framework within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone in Dubai. These changes were announced on June 3 and stem from the DFSA’s Consultation Paper 153, published in January 2024. The DFSA, an independent regulator...
Hong Kong Officially Kicks Out All Unlicensed Crypto Exchanges
Hong Kong has mandated that all cryptocurrency exchanges operating without a license from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) must immediately cease operations. This regulatory move emphasizes the SFC’s commitment to ensuring a secure and transparent environment for virtual asset trading. The ultimatum issued by Hong Kong regulators requires all cryptocurrency exchanges to apply for...
Argentina Studies Bitcoin Adoption from El Salvador
Argentina’s National Securities Commission (CNV) is turning to El Salvador for insights on Bitcoin adoption. Over the weekend, CNV confirmed discussions with Salvadoran regulators, exploring how to integrate Bitcoin into Argentina’s financial system. In 2021, El Salvador made headlines by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar. This move has positioned the nation...
UAE Agriculture Authority Prohibits Crypto Mining on Farms
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority has issued a directive prohibiting the use of farms for cryptocurrency mining activities. This advisory emphasizes that utilizing farms for crypto mining constitutes a “misuse of the farm for purposes other than its intended use.” Violations of this regulation could result in penalties of up to 10,000...