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A new U.S bill introduced by Representative Don Beyer, aims to regulate off-chain crypto transactions by requiring service providers to report all such transactions to a CFTC-registered repository. The bill strives for increased transparency to prevent potential disputes, manipulation, and fraud, although concerns about privacy infringement and stifling innovation are being raised.

“Celsius Network, a bankrupted crypto lending company, is filing an “adversary complaint” against EquitiesFirst to reclaim its assets. Amid fraud allegations, ex-CEO Alex Mashinsky’s assets froze. Reportedly, EquitiesFirst owes Celsius $439m, part of which is repaid monthly in cash and BTC.”

“Cboe’s BZX exchange is preparing for a historical first with the potential launch of the U.S.’s maiden spot ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The SEC’s approval of such a move would mark a new era of crypto trading, including on-the-spot ether exchanges via ETFs. The decision may reshape the financial landscape, creating a new entry point for traditional investors into the realm of digital currency.”

“A class action lawsuit against decentralized crypto exchange, Uniswap, was dismissed due to the unclear path for plaintiffs suing over alleged “scam tokens”. The judge argued that the issuers of these tokens were the culprits, not Uniswap. The case highlighted a legal quandary in identifying responsible parties amidst the anonymous, decentralized nature of crypto protocols, further clouding the jurisdiction and regulatory role of bodies like the SEC. The outcome implies that software creators could evade liability for misuse of their platforms.”

“Cryptocurrency circles discuss Grayscale’s lawsuit and SEC chair Gary Gensler’s role. Congressman Warren Davidson suggests Gensler’s SEC decisions lack stead, as demonstrated by Grayscale’s legal victory. This opens up possibilities for a Bitcoin spot ETF emergence in the US, but the situation remains uncertain.”

The US IRS has issued draft guidelines on reporting rules for digital asset brokers. Aimed at regulating the digital asset industry, this regulation intends to streamline tax reporting and prevent fraud, proposing to raise $28 billion in fresh tax over a decade. Critics label it as “misguided” and “an attack on the digital asset ecosystem.”

“Roman Storm and Roman Semenov, coders of the Tornado Cash protocol, face U.S. legal proceedings, accused of aiding North Korea’s Lazarus Group with money laundering. This indictment raises questions on developer accountability, regulation standards, and the balance between potential national security risks and the right to financial independence and privacy in blockchain technology.”

“The ongoing SEC v. Ripple lawsuit takes a fascinating turn with the withdrawal of three SEC attorneys and the addition of new ones, potentially impacting case progression. Meanwhile, Nigerian crypto exchange Patricia launches its native token, Patricia token (PTK), amidst security breach speculations and customer fund access issues, sparking worries of a potential exit scam. These developments underscore existing uncertainties in crypto regulation.”

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused Titan Global Capital Management of deceiving investors regarding cryptocurrency offerings, leading them to part with over $1 million in a settlement. This instance underscores the SEC’s increased focus on regulatory compliance within the digital assets industry, potentially indicating impending tighter regulations affecting customer custody and information accuracy for cryptocurrency firms.

The Guernsey Financial Services Commission has approved the Jacobi FT Wilshere Bitcoin ETF, the first spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund in Europe. This highlights Europe’s progressive stance on integrating digital assets despite varying global regulations and the unstable nature of the crypto market. This development could serve as a model for similar funds globally.

The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has decreed that gains made from staking cryptocurrencies will now be classed as taxable income. This applies to cash-method taxpayers who engage in staking of cryptocurrencies on a proof-of-stake blockchain, where further units of cryptocurrency are rewarded for validation. The ambiguity arises for those who stake across different networks, leading to potential confusion for crypto investors.

The crypto market recently experienced a plunge, with Bitcoin dipping around 2%, amidst political and lawsuit shocks. The SEC has accused Richard Heart, Hex creator, of selling unregistered securities worth $1 billion, causing the HEX price to plummet. This has led to increased anxiety in the crypto community, with investors also watching out for potential regulations. Meanwhile, the IRS has issued a ruling requiring US taxpayers to add crypto staking rewards to their annual income. Despite the challenges, crypto enthusiasts see potential in the top 15 digital assets for 2023, but caution and thorough research are advised.

“The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently ruled that crypto investors should include rewards from validation activities on proof-of-stake networks as income. The same principle applies to investors staking tokens through a cryptocurrency exchange. This ruling provides tax transparency in the crypto space but could create anxiety among stakeholders due to potential implications on blockchain innovation and decentralization.”

A&G, a Spanish private bank, has launched the country’s first local crypto hedge fund —Criptomonedas, F.I.L. This fund, overseen by Spain’s financial markets regulator, is intended for professional investors and provides a safer, more efficient alternative to spot trading in cryptocurrency.

Securitize has issued the first tokenized equities under the EU’s digital assets framework via the Avalanche smart contract network. These tokens represent equity in Mancipi Partners, a Spanish real estate investment trust. This move signifies a blending between traditional capital markets and crypto, potentially signaling a shift in the financial landscape that could see the tokenized assets market reach $16 trillion by 2030. However, this emerging sector requires careful navigation with thorough regulatory oversight.

In a significant boost for the crypto landscape, Middle-Eastern crypto exchange Rain has secured a license to operate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks Rain as the first regulated crypto exchange in the UAE, enhancing smoother transactions between the local UAE dirham and cryptocurrencies.