Search Results for: Raft

“The Open Network (TON) blockchain has pivoted into a Swiss-based non-profit, focusing on fostering the TON ecosystem and broadening its adoption. The TON Foundation plans to stimulate TON-centric scholarly and creative ventures, while making strides towards transparency and community-driven governance in a quest to become the primary platform for Web3 dapps.”

Mairead McGuinness, European Commissioner for Financial Stability emphasizes cautious approach to digital euro implementation. As cash loses popularity and commerce digitalizes, a future with digital central bank public money is anticipated. The transition could massively impact cross-border payments and global financial sectors, hence the need for careful scrutiny.

“Taiwan drafts guidelines to regulate unregistered foreign virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) produced a draft of ten principles, aiming to protect the market from abusive practices while promoting transparency and differentiating custody of assets.”

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is proposing the first U.S. specific accounting rule for cryptocurrency, endorsing a fair-value approach for measuring digital assets. This could lead to wider crypto adoption, requiring businesses to report crypto dealings in quarterly income statements, promoting increased visibility and scrutiny. However, it’s uncertain if this will accelerate or slow corporate crypto adoption.

“The report reveals $700 million spent by lawyers and consultants following the collapse of several digital asset firms, renewing discussions around the complexity of digital asset regulations. With companies like FTX and Celsius amounting $326.8 million and $186.5 million in legal fees respectively, the lack of clear regulations is leading to increased costs and uncertainty, potentially hindering the adoption of cryptocurrencies by new investors.”

“The digital euro, a central bank digital currency (CBDC) proposed by the European Commission, is seen as a new paradigm for preserving monetary sovereignty. It would ensure Europeans maintain access to a public payment option, countering the dominance by private payment services’ standalone solutions. However, its implementation requires a balance between fostering innovation and preserving economic stability.”

“Rajagopal Menon, VP of WazirX, discusses India’s crypto regulation journey from suspicion to acceptance, stimulated by public campaigns and talks with policymakers. Despite taxing complications, WazirX is committed to user protection and education, striving for regulations reflecting India’s diverse consumer base while maintaining global standards.”

“South Korea has reportedly drafted a bill to neutralize North Korea’s crypto assets, aiming to cripple Pyongyang’s illicit weapons program. The bill proposes tracking and neutralizing stolen digital assets, offering potential benefits despite raising concerns about decentralization and anonymity in the cryptocurrency world.”

“While Congress actively drafts cryptocurrency regulations, the SEC persists on its own path, complicating the regulatory landscape. This raises questions regarding the SEC’s authority over digital assets. Recent losses to Ripple and Grayscale intensify the need for regulatory clarity, underlining the SEC’s inconsistencies in classifying cryptocurrencies.”

“Social media giant, X, has earned a regulatory license to process cryptocurrency payments in the United States, by obtaining the Rhode Island Currency Transmitter License. This move, supported by several states, strengthens X’s potential to facilitate virtual transactions, possibly expediting the mainstream adoption of digital currency.”

Stefan Berger, architect of the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets regulation (MiCA), is leading legislation for a digital euro. Despite controversy and skepticism among colleagues, Berger believes that the transition to digital currencies like the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) could usher in autonomy and innovation. However, the success of this transition hinges on public trust. The EU remains undecided about the formal issue of the CBDC, with the proposal’s outcome influenced by political environment and law amendments.

“The indictment of Sam Bankman-Fried, the force behind cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has raised questions about the legal framework surrounding blockchain technology. Accused of various fraud charges, Bankman-Fried’s defense insists that lawyers approved his contested actions at FTX. The case’s outcome could set important precedents for the crypto industry.”

“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.”

“Crypto regulation has become a significant issue in U.S. presidential campaigning. Candidates’ positions vary widely, from skepticism to enthusiastic adoption, yet the subject of digital assets regulation was absent from the recent Republican debate. This highlights the increasing importance of cryptocurrencies in our socio-political landscape, and suggests a need for informed legislation.”