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Binance’s CZ Explains Why Banning Crypto Ads Won’t Affect Demand

Several regulators around the globe have taken a hostile approach around crypto exchanges and crypto-related companies by forbidding them to advertise the industry to the general public. However, Binance’s CEO Changpeng Zhao thinks this will not affect the high demand of the market.

Curbing Crypto Ads

Crypto-related firms have been accused by international regulators of marketing their services with misleading messages that undermine the risk digital assets investments could possess to users.

Spain, U.k., and Singapore have banned the advertisement of crypto to different extents.

In Singapore alone, crypto exchanges and other licensed companies can only publish ads on their own websites and mobile apps to avoid reaching the general public.

The country’s ban includes “any form of advertisements or promotional materials in public areas such as Singapore public transport, public transport venues, broadcast media or periodical publications, third party websites, social media platforms, public events or roadshows.”

“MAS stresses that DPT service providers should conduct themselves with the understanding that trading of DPTs is not suitable for the general public. These Guidelines set out MAS’ expectation that DPT service providers should not promote their DPT services to the general public in Singapore.“

Spain requires a pre-approval for any crypto advertisement directed towards an audience of 100,000 or more people and all ads and must include a warning like such: “Investments in crypto-assets are not regulated. They may not be appropriate for retail investors and the full amount invested may be lost.”

In the U.K., authorities have banned several ads that they have claimed to be “irresponsible and took advantage of consumers’ inexperience or credulity.” 

Related Reading | Fidelity Says What We’ve Been Thinking: Countries & Central Banks Will Buy BTC

Why It Won’t Affect Price

The price of cryptocurrencies is driven by demand and supply, meaning the interest users have in the market and the availability of each digital coin. For this reason, the effects that bans might have on the adoption of cryptocurrencies are believed to be important for the future of the market.

Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (also known as “CZ”) alleged during a CNBC International interview that the reason why regulators take this approach on advertisements is that the crypto industry has a huge demand.

Even though the CEO thinks these bans could slow down the industry’s growth, CZ is not worried about the macro picture because he thinks the demand for crypto is so high that curbing crypto ads will have little impact.

Changpeng Zhao claimed that most users are driven to the crypto industry through “word of mouth” marketing rather than ads.

“Clampdown on crypto advertising is unlikely to have much of an effect on demand, as most of the crypto users come from word-of-mouth promotions anyway.”

CZ noted that Facebook and Google opposed crypto ads for a long time and even though they are giant platforms that reign over the internet, this has not affected the adoption of digital assets.

Binance is the largest crypto exchange in the world and it recently withdrew its application to start a cryptocurrency exchange in Singapore after facing pressure from the country’s regulators over concerns of risks and consumer protection.

The exchange, however, has not lost interest in conducting business in the country. The global regulatory framework is miles away from becoming clear, and Binance is working to adapt and comply, taking “strategic, commercial and developmental” considerations.

CZ stated that Binance hasn’t driven its eyes away from Singapore for the country might change its regulatory framework later on.

The future location of Binance headquarters remains a mystery. CZ said they are exploring “everywhere in the world.”

The CEO noted that Binance is working with many authorities to help them build a comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto market.

Related Reading | Binance’s CZ Wants Entrepreneurs To Create Coins. Does His Argument Make Sense?

Crypto Total Market Cap

At the time of writing, the global market cap of cryptocurrencies sets its price at $1,8 trillion, showing a decline of %3 in the daily chart.

Crypto total market cap at $1,8 trillion in the daily chart | Source: TradingView.com

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Russia Just Suggested A Blanket Ban On Bitcoin And Cryptocurrency

Russia has proposed a full ban on crypto, this includes both mining and use of cryptocurrencies. The country’s Central Bank suggested that the trading of cryptocurrencies must come to a stop immediately. In the report put forth in an online press conference, the Russian government along with the Bank of Russia suggested this regulatory measure. This blanket ban on cryptocurrency was tied to risks of financial instability and rising illegal activities. The digital asset apparently posed a serious threat to the sovereignty of Russia’s monetary policy. Russia holds the third rank in bitcoin mining after US and Kazakhstan.

This recent ban on cryptocurrency comes right after the Central Bank of Russia displayed interest in securing information from commercial banks in respect to private money transfers. It also specified that the information collected will comprise of details of individuals who have previously traded in cryptocurrency, not only within the country but also outside of it. Despite Russia legalising cryptocurrencies in the year 2020, it always remained sceptical in regards to accepting the same as a medium of exchange. The report stated that this measure of banning crypto might after all be in favour of Russial as this decision happens to be the “best” and “optimal” one that safeguards Russia.

“Cryptocurrencies: Trends, Risks, Measures”

In the report, “Cryptocurrencies: trends, risks, measures” an excerpt read that cryptocurrenices “offer an outlet for people to take their money out of the national economy, thereby undermining it and making the regulators job of maintaining optimal monetary policies harder.” The other major concern that led to this ban was the ever increasing dynamic and volatile nature of cryptocurrency along with illegal activities being funded by the digital asset. The culmination of which has urged the Central Bank to form new laws and regulation which could help ban the digital asset in Russia.

Related Reading | NGOs Use Crypto To Aid Afghans Facing Taliban Takeover

Russia previously also expressed its concerns around cryptocurrency as they believed that the asset could be used for money laundering and even financing terrorism. Reportedly, Russia has showed interest in creating thier own digital currency (CBDC) which is believed to enable, equip and finally empower the functioning of future banking in the country.

This could help people of Russia to opt for a quicker, easier and more seamless payment option. The report also stated that there will be a prohibition of mutual funds investments in cryptocurrency. Besides that, institutional investors have also been discouraged from investing in crypto. This move might be quite a blow to the country’s financial organisations as any cryptocurrency in the form of a financial asset will not be accounted for. Failing to abide by the above mandated resolution will result in firm punishment as mentioned in report.

The crypto industry’s growth has attracted a lot of negative attention | Source: TOTAL-CRYPTOCAP on TradingView.com

Russia Crypto Ban Extends To Mining Also

Cryptocurrency mining in Russia has a major footing as the country is the third largest when it comes to mining of cryptocurrencies. Volume of cryptocurrency mining still remains the highest in the US, followed by Kazakhstan, however, the latter has been in talks about cutting off electricity provisions. This news about Russia’s ban might potentially drive crypto enthusiasts across the globe up the wall. Minimising of crypto issuance along with over-the-counter trading desks, crypto exchanges and peer-to-peer exchanges could send a ripple across the whole crypto space.

Related Reading | Digging Into The Data Of Bitcoin Mining Decentralization

The aforementioned report also added that this prohibition was also because of environmental factors as it creates “”creates a non-productive electricity expenditure, which undermines the energy supply of residential buildings, social infrastructure and industrial objects, as well as the environmental agenda of the Russian Federation.

Featured image from iStockPhoto, Charts from TradingView.com

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Russians Have Invested $67 Billion In Crypto As The CBR Flirts With A Ban

According to a recent report by a Russian lawmaker, the country’s citizens have invested over 5 trillion rubles ($67.5 billion) in the crypto market, but the regulatory terrain remains hostile and unclear with the governor of the Central Bank of Russia increasingly hinting at a highly regulated environment

Cryptocurrencies have had legal status in Russia since 2020, although it is forbidden to use them as means of payment in the country. Authorities, however, have expressed opposing views stating that they could be a tool of money laundering and possibly used finance terrorism. The law “On Digital Financial Assets” entered into effect this year and regulated a few activities.

Despite recent warnings on a possible ban, the Russian crypto market has seen remarkable growth. The head of the Financial Market Committee Anatoly Aksakov stated during hearings at the lower house of the Russian parliament that residents have invested over $67.5 billion in crypto, although he didn’t specify a timeframe, the state-owned agency Tass reported.

According to some reports, 5 trillion rubles have already been invested by Russians in cryptocurrency

Crypto total market cap at $2,2 trillion in the daily chart | Source: TradingView.com

This crypto Russian boom might see big obstacles in the near future.

Aksakov empathized several kinds of investors, including the common Russian, are now interested in the crypto market. He stated:  “It is necessary to determine how we treat this phenomenon and, accordingly, prescribe liabilities in the law, should we prohibit or restrict something.”

Authorities have warned and taken a few measures against what they see as high-risk investments for residents with low financial literacy attracted to the crypto market.

However, there is not enough regulatory clarity for Russian crypto investors at the moment and authorities have sent mixed signals about future legal actions.

The deputy chairman of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) Vladimir Chistyukhin announced recently that they are preparing an advisory report in which the regulators will start to provide more clarity by explaining the bank’s stance on how cryptocurrencies shall play a role in Russia’s financial market.

I think that we will soon publish a report on cryptocurrencies. This report will contain our approaches related to what place we see for cryptocurrency in the Russian financial market. I give a hint – we do not see a place for cryptocurrency in the Russian financial market.

Related Reading | Bitcoin Overtakes Russian Ruble, Inches Closer To Top Ten Global Currencies

Russian Authorities On Top Of Crypto

Elvira Nabiullina, the governor of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR), shows a conservative and skeptical view when facing the rise of cryptocurrencies. She has hinted at a ban and recently noted that the CBR is capable of implementing restrictions. The local news portal finmarket.ru quoted:

Cryptocurrencies carry great risks for retail investors due to high volatility and use in illegal activities, so we cannot welcome investments in such assets.

Related Reading | To Ban Or Not To Ban? Russia Concerned About Growing Crypto Transanctions

The head of the bank has stated that the regulator doesn’t see the possibility of legalizing cryptocurrencies on the country’s exchanges, but they are studying its other uses.

Earlier, Russia’s Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin had compared bitcoin investments with gambling and warned that cryptocurrencies imply many risks for its investors.

As for bitcoin: if you look at how the value of this asset fluctuates, it’s dozens of percent points up, dozens down. A normal asset that can bring money to eligible investors should not have such characteristics, since it’s worse than a casino,

On Russia’s Finance Ministry views, the country should only allow “eligible investors” to do bitcoin transactions on exchanges.

The Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Vladimir Chistyukhin has expressed that a solution to their fears would be to prohibit transferring funds from bank accounts to crypto-exchanges:

I think that we will resolve the issue through amending the legislation. There will be a more precise definition of how cryptocurrencies can circulate,