US SEC commends NASAA’s warning on cryptocurrencies and ICOs

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has echoed the recent warning on cryptocurrencies issued by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). In a joint statement, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, Commissioner Kara M. Stein, and Commissioner Michael S. Piwowar said that NASAA’s release is a “timely and thoughtful reminder to Main Street investors to exercise caution.”

Alaska and Idaho issue warnings against cryptocurrency investments

The financial regulators of Alaska and Idaho have issued warnings on cryptocurrencies and related investments. The announcement follows similar warning issued by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) last week.

Singapore’s laws do not differentiate between fiat and cryptocurrency transactions: Deputy PM on AML/CTF enforcement

Singapore’s laws do not differentiate between transactions conducted using fiat currency, cryptocurrency or other ways of transmitting value when considering money laundering or terrorism financing , Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said recently.

Ukraine to set up working group on cryptocurrency regulation

Financial regulators in Ukraine are going to launch a working group to look into cryptocurrency regulation. During a recently held meeting of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov said that the development of the cryptocurrencies market cannot be left out of the state's attention.

South Korean Justice Ministry prepares bill to ban cryptocurrency trading

The South Korean government is planning to ban cryptocurrency trading in the country and is drafting a bill on these lines, Reuters reported. Addressing a press conference, Justice Minister Park Sang-ki said that a bill is being prepared to impose a ban on domestic virtual currency trading.

South Korea probes six banks on cryptocurrency-related money laundering violations

Following recent reports that suggested that the South Korean government will ban anonymous cryptocurrency trading in the country, latest reports indicate that the government is now inspecting six local banks offering virtual currency account services to clients. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Financial Services Commission (FSC) chairman Choi Jong-ku said that banks are keeping quiet about “money flows for illegal use, instead of taking the role of gatekeepers.”

Venezuelan Parliament declares Petro cryptocurrency as illegal

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s recent efforts to launch oil-backed Petro cryptocurrency has received a major setback as the country’s parliament has declared the cryptocurrency as “illegal.” Bitcoin.com reported that the National Assembly has declared Petro as illegal, along with declaring Maduro’s decree to create the cryptocurrency as null and void. The parliamentarians believe that the cryptocurrency is in violation of Venezuela’s constitution.

Switzerland sets up blockchain task force

The government of Switzerland has launched a new task force as part of its efforts to develop a regulatory framework on blockchain and initial coin offering (ICO), CoinDesk reported. During the second fintech roundtable held by the government last month, the participants agreed that the ongoing developments in blockchain technology and ICOs need special attention.

Conferences/Meetings:

US CFTC to hold meeting on cryptocurrencies on January 23

Investments/Acquisitions/ Fund-raising:

Global Blockchain Technologies Corp. buys out Kodak Coin pre-sale

Coinsilium raises equity stake in blockchain professional social network Indorse

Blockchain voting startupVoatz attracts $2.2M in seed funding

Partnerships/Consortiums:

Blockchain startupEverledger partners with Gübelin Gem Lab

Dashpartners with Latin American cryptocurrency exchange BitINKA

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives:

JioCoin: Indian telecom giant Reliance plans new cryptocurrency

MoneyGram delves into blockchain, to trial Ripple’s XRP in payment flows

SETL’s blockchain fund record-keeping platform ‘IZNES’ goes live

German firm JDC Group launches blockchain lab

Japan-based Fisco to launch cryptocurrency fund

BNP Paribas Asset Management trials blockchain for end-to-end fund transaction

Kodak announces blockchain and cryptocurrency initiative, stock surges 150 pct

Swiss private bank Falcon announces crypto wealth management service

IBM, Comcast Ventures, Boldstart Ventures and Galvanize back blockchain growth lab 'MState'

New York Stock Exchange seeks approval to list bitcoin ETFs

Automotive supplier Faurecia seeks to tap AI and blockchain for digital transformation

Elering AS, WePower launch blockchain energy pilot in Estonia

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