A citizen in the Marshall Islands receives universal basic income directly to a mobile wallet via USDM1, a sovereign digital bond backed by U.S. Treasury bills. The pilot shows that digital public finance’s success hinges less on technology than on compliance.
Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets
Posted inBest Practices
Before the first crypto transaction, finance needs a seat at the compliance table
When an established company considers holding crypto, the compliance questions usually come first. Is the activity permissible? Is the exchange or custodian acceptable? Have the wallets been screened? Are AML and sanctions controls adequate? Those questions can all have satisfactory answers while the transaction still produces an outcome the institution did not intend. The reason […]
Posted inCryptocurrency and Digital Assets
Thousands of crypto firms miss EU license deadline
Less than 10 percent of crypto firms that were operating in the European Union up until new rules came in on July 1 have been authorized to continue. The rest—an estimated 3,000—are supposed to cease servicing EU clients from within the single market with immediate effect.
Posted inRegulatory Policy
U.K. waters down final crypto rules after industry feedback
The U.K.’s financial watchdog has watered down some of the key compliance requirements for crypto firms as it released its first full set of rules for the industry to follow.
Posted inCryptocurrency and Digital Assets
U.K.’s sanctions on cryptocurrency exchanges signal new focus on illicit digital financing
Cryptocurrency exchanges believed to be financing Russia’s war in Ukraine have been sanctioned by the U.K. government in the first attempt to prevent evasion via “dark networks.”
Posted inCryptocurrency and Digital Assets
Experts weigh up challenges for firms, FCA under U.K. plan to regulate crypto
The U.K. has set itself a path to regulate crypto from the end of next year that is different to the rest of Europe. While the EU has created sector-specific rules for the industry under the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation, the U.K. will instead make crypto firms subject to the same rules as every other financial services provider.
Posted inCryptocurrency and Digital Assets
The SEC’s crypto taxonomy changes everything. Pending enforcement targets should act now
The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance published a 68-page interpretive release in March that, for the first time, defines what is and is not a security in the digital asset space.
Posted inCryptocurrency and Digital Assets
Bank of England changes stance on stablecoins after cumbersome compliance complaints
The Bank of England has revealed that it is reconsidering two of the more contentious aspects of its proposed stablecoin framework after pressure from many in the crypto asset sector. Crypto companies have complained that the proposed regulations would be too restrictive and would hold back the industry in the U.K. in comparison with other global financial markets.
Posted inCryptocurrency and Digital Assets
U.K. sets out parameters of crypto regulation in guidance consultation
Crypto firms are set to be regulated by the United Kingdom’s key financial watchdog from late 2027, but the rules around how it will do so are still being ironed out.
Posted inSanctions
EU’s 20th Russian Sanctions Package extends compliance to third parties and anti-circumvention measures
The EU has intensified its focus on sanctions circumvention and the supply of Russian oil in a clear signal that the energy crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will not weaken its efforts to sever Russian cashflows.