A bill in the Senate of the Philippines would increase the penalty for crimes that involve virtual currency.
<h1>National Blockchain Standards Take Shape In China</h1>
China is taking the experience of participating in the creation of international blockchain standards and applying that knowledge domestically.
<h1>South Korean Authorities Are Preparing Regulated ICO Framework</h1>
South Korea’s government is reportedly considering reversing its ban on ICOs as it mulls a raft of other regulations related to cryptocurrency.
<h1>New US House Bill Calls For Report, Strategy On Cryptocurrency</h1>
A bill currently in the House of Representatives calls for a report on (and strategy to combat) the use of cryptocurrencies in financing terrorism, laundering money, evading US sanctions, and otherwise threatening American national security.
<h1>Congressional Committee To Hold Cryptocurrency, ICO Hearing</h1>
On the morning of March 14, 2018, the House Financial Services Committee will host a hearing on cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs).
<h1>Wyoming Legislature Goes All In On Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Bills</h1>
From money transmitter licenses and utility tokens to blockchain-based records management systems and cryptocurrency tax exemptions, Wyoming’s legislature has been tremendously active in the digital asset space.
<h1>Cryptocurrency Exchanges Supporting Security Tokens Must Register With SEC Or Seek Exemption</h1>
On Wednesday, the SEC gave notice that exchanges supporting security tokens must register with the agency or seek exemption. This requirement extends to platforms that facilitate the trading of tokens distributed through initial coin offerings (ICOs), if those digital assets are subject to federal securities law.
<h1>Court Agrees With CFTC Classification Of Virtual Currencies As Commodities</h1>
On Tuesday, the CFTC was granted a preliminary injunction in its case against Patrick K. McDonnell and CabbageTech, Corp, a ruling which supports the agency’s 2015 finding that virtual currencies like bitcoin are commodities.
<h1>FinCEN: ICOs For Convertible Virtual Currencies May Require Money Transmitter Licenses</h1>
On Tuesday, a letter addressed to Senator Ron Wyden from FinCEN regarding its oversight and enforcement capabilities for virtual currencies was published. Depending on the nature of an initial coin offering (ICO), a money transmitter license may be required.
<h1>Illinois House Bill Would Ban Restrictions On Blockchain, Smart Contract Use</h1>
HB5553, which was recently introduced to Illinois’s legislature, would prevent local governments from restricting individuals’ and companies’ use of blockchain technology and smart contracts.
<h1>German Ministry Of Finance Provides Guidance On Bitcoin Taxation</h1>
German authorities have shed some light on cryptocurrency tax implications.
<h1>Australian Tax Office To Track Down Bitcoin Tax Evaders</h1>
With a new investor identification framework to be set in place, AUSTRAC and the ATO are gearing up to scrutinize investors in crypto.
<h1>Texas State Securities Board Issues Cease And Desist To LeadInvest</h1>
On Monday, the Texas State Securities Board issued a cease-and-desist order to LeadInvest. The agency contends that LeadInvest has fabricated its management team and is illegally soliciting investors for a lending program and a cryptocurrency mining operation.
<h1>US Department Of Justice Developing Cryptocurrency Strategy</h1>
A Department of Justice taskforce is crafting a strategy to address the use of cryptocurrencies by cybercriminals, according to US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
<h1>Israeli Supreme Court Judgement Backs Cryptocurrency Exchange</h1>
A temporary decision against Bank Leumi by the Israeli Supreme Court is meant to prevent banks from barring payments to exchanges.
<h1>Three Laws Would Regulate Malta’s Blockchain Space, Encourage Innovation</h1>
Three laws aimed at regulating and promoting innovation within the blockchain space are expected to be submitted to the Maltese Parliament in early March.
<h1>Wyoming Bill Would Exempt Cryptocurrency From State Tax</h1>
The Cowboy State is staking yet another cryptocurrency claim in its state legislature, its third since last December.
<h1>Swiss Regulator FINMA: AML, Securities Laws To Apply To Some ICOs</h1>
Switzerland’s FINMA has issued guidelines stating that some ICOs will be subject to securities regulation and others to anti-money laundering standards.
<h1>South Korea Responds To Cryptocurrency Petition</h1>
A public petition that requested the South Korean government refrain from hardline virtual currency regulation has drawn a response from Hong Nam-ki, minister of the office for government policy coordination.
<h1>Office Of Terrorism And Financial Intelligence Calls For Tighter Regulation On Cryptocurrencies</h1>
Cryptocurrencies came up during a speech by the undersecretary of the TFI about the organization’s various efforts to combat terrorism, money laundering, and otherwise illicit activities.