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Four US lawmakers, including Representatives Patrick McHenry and Glenn Thompson, sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen pressing for clarification on crypto regulation gaps. Highlighting concerns over the lack of oversight in digital asset markets, particularly regarding bitcoin and ether, the lawmakers questioned Yellen on the role of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) in addressing these gaps. They sought details on the FSOC's coordination with regulatory bodies like the SEC and CFTC, emphasizing the need for comprehensive legislation to ensure customer protection and regulatory clarity in the crypto space. The letter requested a response from Yellen by February 20, seeking insights on the FSOC's stance on securities laws, the regulatory authority of the SEC and CFTC, and the classification of bitcoin and ether as securities. (Source: Bitcoin.com)

Belarus Central Bank is aiming to decentralize cross-border trade with the introduction of its new Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), slated for a national rollout in 2026. Deputy Head of Research and Strategic Development at the National Bank of Belarus (NBB), Mikhail Demidenko, highlighted the goal of facilitating cross-border payments by reducing reliance on major currency issuers like the dollar and euro. Belarus' strategic move towards introducing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in 2026 reflects its determination to decentralize cross-border trade and mitigate the impact of sanctions. By leveraging blockchain technology and emphasizing decentralization, the digital Belarusian ruble (DBR) aims to streamline cross-border payments, reduce reliance on major currencies, and foster economic resilience. The initiative underscores Belarus' commitment to embracing digital innovation and enhancing financial inclusivity, marking a significant step towards modernizing its...

The CEO of crypto exchange Bitsonic has been sentenced to seven years in prison, with the firm's technology chief receiving a one-year jail term for embezzling 10 billion South Korean won ($7.5 million) worth of customer deposits. Jinwook Shin, arrested in August 2023, faced charges including fraud and obstructing business via computer. Bitsonic's technology VP, identified as Mr. A, was sentenced for similar charges. The sentencing underscores the seriousness with which South Korean authorities address financial crimes in the crypto industry. The court's harsh judgment reflects the significant damage inflicted on trust in crypto exchanges due to Shin and Mr. A's actions. Manipulating transaction volume, creating false deposits, and spreading fake partnership notices, Shin orchestrated a fraudulent scheme that ultimately led to substantial losses for customers. This incident highlights the importance of regulatory oversight and transparency in crypto exchanges to protect investors'...

The Spanish Ministry of Finance is moving to expand its oversight over crypto activities within the nation, empowering the Spanish Tax Agency to seize digital assets to settle tax debts. This initiative, led by María Jesús Montero, involves amending Article 162 of the General Tax Law to enable authorities to locate and confiscate crypto assets held by taxpayers with outstanding bills. This development underscores Spain's proactive approach to combat tax evasion in the digital asset space. By compelling banks and electronic money providers to disclose transaction data and increasing scrutiny on crypto holdings, Spanish authorities aim to ensure compliance with tax regulations. The surge in warnings issued to residents failing to report crypto holdings reflects the government's heightened focus on enforcing tax laws in the crypto ecosystem. However, challenges remain in tracking and seizing self-custodied cryptocurrency assets, presenting potential obstacles to the effective...

The U.S. and U.K. Financial Regulatory Working Group (FRWG) convened in London for its ninth official meeting on January 31, underscoring the importance of robust regulation and oversight of cryptocurrency assets and markets. In a statement issued on February 5, the group highlighted discussions on crypto regulation and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has enacted stringent regulations affecting liquidity providers, extending beyond federal securities laws to impact cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi). Approved with a 3-2 majority vote during a meeting on Tuesday, the long-awaited 247-page rule imposes obligations on individuals dealing with crypto assets classified as securities or government securities, excluding those with assets under $50 million. Reacting to the SEC's decision, industry voices have raised concerns about the impact of the rules on innovation and the DeFi ecosystem. The DeFi Education...

A federal judge has approved a motion allowing the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to request specific financial documents from Ripple. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, in a ruling on February 5, granted the SEC's motion, requiring Ripple to produce financial statements from 2022 to 2023 and contracts governing "institutional sales," a crucial aspect in determining whether XRP qualifies as a security. The post-complaint contracts could provide insights for the SEC to counter Ripple's claims of compliance following the initial filing. Judge Netburn's decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the SEC. The request for financial documents underscores the SEC's efforts to strengthen its case against Ripple and its executives. Ripple's compliance with the court order will likely influence the outcome of the trial scheduled for April. This ruling emphasizes the importance of transparency in regulatory investigations...

A new service called OnlyFake is reportedly leveraging AI "neural networks" to create fake driver's licenses and passports, successfully passing Know Your Customer (KYC) verifications on multiple crypto exchanges. Priced at $15 each, the service offers realistic IDs from 26 countries and accepts payment in various cryptocurrencies through Coinbase's commercial payments service. Users have claimed to bypass KYC checks on exchanges like OKX, Binance, Kraken, Bybit, Huobi, and financial service providers like PayPal, raising concerns about the potential for crypto scammers and hackers to exploit these fake documents for illicit activities. While OnlyFake's owner claims the IDs can bypass KYC checks at several exchanges, OKX denies any endorsement of fraudulent conduct and is investigating the reports. Despite the site's disclaimer that it doesn't manufacture forged documents, its ease of use and ability to spoof image metadata raise alarms about the potential misuse of AI technology for...

The achievement of Jupiter Exchange represents a significant milestone in the DeFi sector, signaling the growing influence of Solana-based platforms. Jupiter's success is attributed to its innovative technology, user-friendly interface, and the low transaction fees offered by the Solana blockchain. Surpassing Uniswap V3, Jupiter's dominance underscores the shifting preferences of the DeFi community towards platforms prioritizing performance and affordability. This trend not only benefits traders but also drives innovation in decentralized finance, with Solana-based DEXs leading the charge towards a promising future for DEX trading. (Source: Altcoinbuzz.io)

Former Terraform Labs Chief Financial Officer Han Chang-joon, also known as J.C.H., was extradited from Montenegro to South Korea on February 5, according to a statement by Montenegro's police. Han and former Terraform CEO Do Kwon were arrested in March 2023 at the airport in Podgorica, attempting to use forged passports to fly to Dubai. Han faces a potential life sentence in South Korea, while Kwon may be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison. They served four months in prison in Montenegro for falsifying travel documents. The extradition of Han Chang-joon marks a significant development in the legal proceedings against Terraform Labs executives. The extradition comes after a series of legal maneuvers and calls for extradition, with Han now facing serious charges in South Korea. The case underscores the international reach of legal authorities in prosecuting financial crimes related to cryptocurrency, highlighting the potential consequences for individuals involved in fraudulent...

Recent revelations challenge the widely held belief that China has enforced a blanket ban on cryptocurrencies, shedding light on a more intricate regulatory landscape. Despite crackdowns on financial institutions' involvement with Bitcoin in 2013 and the ban on initial coin offerings (ICOs) in 2017, China's stance on cryptocurrency is nuanced. While China's regulations have tightened over the years, particularly with the 2021 crackdown on Bitcoin, there are noticeable gaps in the restrictions. Individuals are not legally prohibited from holding or trading crypto, although their actions may lack legal protection. The ban on virtual currency exchanges operating openly in China has led to creative workarounds, including peer-to-peer trading and utilizing overseas exchanges. (Source: coinepedia)

American Vast Bank, the pioneer in offering cryptocurrency tools to clients in the United States, has made the decision to exit the crypto industry. The announcement, posted on the bank's website, revealed the closure of the mobile application that facilitated transactions with digital assets for clients. Effective January 31st, 2024, the Vast Crypto Mobile Banking application will be disabled and removed from app stores, resulting in the liquidation and closure of clients' accounts and any held digital assets. The decision to exit the crypto industry comes amidst reported pressure from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This move marks a significant shift from Vast Bank's pioneering position in 2019 when it first offered cryptocurrency services. The regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrencies in the United States continues to evolve, impacting the strategies of financial institutions operating in the space. (Source :Crypto.news)

As Hong Kong approaches the end of the regulatory transition period for virtual asset trading platforms, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issues a crucial advisory to investors. The SFC emphasizes the importance of ensuring that platforms are fully licensed by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) by the deadlines of February 29, 2024, for license applications and May 31, 2024, for the cessation of operations by unlicensed platforms. This regulatory overhaul aligns with Hong Kong's commitment to creating a secure and regulated environment for cryptocurrency trading. Investors are urged to verify the regulatory status of platforms and consult the SFC's lists to navigate the new landscape. The advisory underscores Hong Kong's proactive approach to integrating virtual asset trading within a legal framework that prioritizes transparency and security. Investors must conduct due diligence to confirm platform legitimacy, reflecting a global trend of balancing...