Year: 2023

Coinbase’s CEO, Brian Armstrong, urges decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to establish legal precedence amidst the unclear regulatory environment. This move, according to Armstrong, is crucial to prevent the crypto industry from being directed towards foreign jurisdictions. His comments follow enforcement actions by the U.S. CFTC on DeFi companies for purported illicit trading activities.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission warns unregulated crypto exchange, JPEX, that promotional activities without requisite licenses could lead to criminal charges. The SFC also scrutinizes JPEX’s aggressive promotions of high-yield savings products, and several misleading claims, including being a licensed platform, linked to potential deceitful practices in the growing virtual asset industry.

This article outlines allegations made against Atlas Quantum, a said crypto pyramid, for making sizeable donations to the 2018 campaign of Brazil’s ex-president. Additionally, it highlights the need for strict regulation and oversight to guard the growth of cryptocurrency markets amidst persistent scams.

Assembly Member Ash Kalra has proposed legislation aimed at safeguarding actors, artists and entertainers against the exploitation of AI clones. The bill seeks informed consent in employment contracts for digital replicates of individuals, highlighting a real threat within the entertainment industry.

“In a closed-door meeting, tech leaders including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg stressed the urgent need for AI regulation. The discussions revolved around AI’s potential dangers and benefits, with skepticism about unregulated technology’s negative impact, yet belief in AI’s groundbreaking potential with careful monitoring.”

The collapse of Three Arrows Capital due to Luna and TerraUSD’s slump has affected Singapore’s financial markets. The Monetary Authority of Singapore has barred founders Zhu Su and Kyle Davies for nine years, citing regulatory infringements and lack of transparency. This highlights the importance of regulatory compliance in the volatile cryptocurrency industry.

Singapore’s financial watchdog has barred Three Arrows Capital’s founding members from engaging in the nation’s regulated financial services for nine years. This restrictive ruling raises questions about the impact on the wider blockchain-cryptocurrency industry, balancing market integrity and innovation.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) imposed a nine-year prohibition on Three Arrows Capital (3AC) founders for violating Singapore’s securities laws. They failed to disclose new business representative induction and risk management inadequacies. This illustrates the importance of transparency and strong structures in crypto finance.

The article discusses the fascinating case of ex-Mt. Gox CEO, Mark Karpelès, who faced embezzlement charges. The evidence was processed with a basic calculator while in pre-trial detention, highlighting the contrast between sophisticated crypto-technology and outdated judicial processes. Karpelès’ ultimate exoneration poses questions about how future cases linked to rapidly evolving industries will be handled.

FTX, a well-known cryptocurrency exchange, has revised its plan for liquidating $3.4 billion in crypto reserves in response to objections from the U.S Trustee. Their strategy, which removes the requirement for advanced public notice, aims to prevent market volatility from large-scale sell-offs. The plan allows up to $100 million in weekly sales, and includes detailed monthly reports for increased transparency. Currently, the portfolio includes Solana, Bitcoin, and XRP tokens, and will be administered under the supervision of Galaxy Digital’s Mike Novogratz.

“In just a half decade, the digital assets industry has seen significant evolution. Despite challenges caused by regulatory scrutiny, anti-money-laundering concerns, and varying political views, the adoption trend for crypto continues to rise. The anticipated regulatory changes and upcoming elections, particularly in 2024, present an opportunity for a fresh perspective on digital assets’ development and use.”

“Crypto’s audacious defiance of conventional regulatory frameworks is drawing widespread regulatory attention. Enforcement activities now target leading crypto entities, leveraging laws up to 90 years old. As scrutiny increases, the key question is what will crumble first – our dated securities laws or the crypto industry itself?”

“Alibaba announced the launch of its AI system, Tongyi Qianwen, amidst China’s eased AI regulations. The Chinese government now requires all AI technologies to undergo a vetting and certification process. This leads to queries about the effect on the blockchain and cryptocurrency landscape, and potential lessons the US could learn from this context.”

“FTX, amid bankruptcy proceedings, has been authorized to liquidate its $3.4 billion cryptocurrency assets to pay creditors. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware’s decision allows FTX to sell, hedge, and stake its cryptocurrency assets. The move could shed light on the exchange’s approach to financial commitments, providing transparency into FTX’s fiscal situation.”

The Blockchain Association, a leading crypto trade association, continues to face skepticism and regulatory hurdles despite its five-year existence. With progress impeded by the fall of FTX and reduced support from congress members, the association’s efforts to pass comprehensive crypto legislation remain unsuccessful. Notwithstanding these setbacks, it has managed some victories in mitigating impacts of proposed regulations and supporting member companies. However, the future still presents significant obstacles, and crypto lobbyists are urged to remain humble about their “achievements.”