Central bankers and finance ministers of the G20 will gather in Buenos Aires next week. An increasing number of member nations have been calling for the international forum to address the use of cryptocurrency for money laundering.
<h1>EU Commissioner: Cryptocurrency Mining Subject To Standard Energy Regulation</h1>
Regardless of its massive electricity demands, cryptocurrency mining is captured under normal EU regulation, explained European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel on Friday. Gabriel called cryptocurrencies a “new factor driving energy demand,” which will be “kept under review” by the European Commission.
<h1>EBA Chair Not ‘Convinced’ Of Need For Extensive Cryptocurrency Regulation</h1>
The chairperson of the European Banking Authority says he is not yet convinced that cryptocurrency regulation in the Eurozone would be a good idea. He fears that such interference from governments could get in the way of important innovation.
<h1>PBoC Governor: Digital Currency Could Replace Cash In China</h1>
The governor of the People’s Bank of China has suggested that physical money may be supplanted by its digital counterpart in the country.
<h1>Canadian Regulator: FBI Encouraged Facebook To Remove Crypto Ads, Google Should Follow Suit</h1>
A senior investigator at the Manitoba Securities Commission has revealed that the choice by Facebook to remove cryptocurrency-related ads was not brought on by the company’s collective nagging conscience, but by pressure from the FBI. Google might soon be feeling that pressure as well.
<h1>European Commission FinTech Action Plan Addresses Cryptocurrencies, ICOs, And Blockchain Technology</h1>
On Thursday, the European Commission published an 18-page FinTech action plan. Among other things, the plan addressed the regulatory treatment of crypto-assets, licensing schema for crowdfunding platforms, and potential rulemaking related to blockchain technology.
<h1>Japanese FSA Gets Tough On Cryptocurrency Exchanges</h1>
Later this week, Japan’s FSA will serve administrative notices to several cryptocurrency exchanges and may suspend some operations, according to Wednesday reports.
<h1>Chinese Regulatory Director Talks Blockchain Centralization at ‘Two Sessions’ Conference</h1>
Tandem annual conferences held this week in China saw top political advisors meet alongside the national legislature. The meetings provided a backdrop for comments by one of China’s regulatory directors on the evolution of blockchain technology.
<h1>Blockchain Technology Highlighted As Germany Forms Coalition Government</h1>
On Sunday, Germany’s Social Democrats party voted overwhelmingly to form a coalition treaty with incumbent conservatives in order to usher in a new government. Blockchain technology is apparently something both sides can agree on.
<h1>European Commission VP Contemplates Cryptocurrency Regulation For European Union</h1>
On Monday, European Commission VP Valdis Dombrovskis raised the possibility of cryptocurrency regulation at the European Union (EU) level. Thus far, regulators have demonstrated extraordinary patience toward the growing digital asset marketplace.
<h1>UK Treasury Committee Looks Into Risks And Opportunities For Cryptocurrencies And Commerce</h1>
The UK Treasury Committee will review current regulatory efforts toward cryptocurrencies and weigh in on how to best balance support for enterprises that need room to work and consumers who need protection.
<h1>Italian Ministry Of Economy And Finance Establishing Rules For Virtual Currency Companies</h1>
In light of anti-money laundering efforts, the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance is turning its attention toward virtual currency businesses. A draft decree lays out comprehensive registration and reporting requirements.
<h1>Eight Caribbean Island Economies Could Adopt Central Bank-Issued Cryptocurrency</h1>
According to an MoU signed by the premier of Montserrat, the eight island economies comprising the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union may have a central bank-issued cryptocurrency in their future.
<h1>Israel Officials Will Consider Cryptocurrencies Property For Tax Purposes</h1>
Initially issued as a draft in January, the final version of a circular on taxation and cryptocurrencies has been handed down by the Israeli Tax Authority.
<h1>South Korean Cryptocurrency Official Dead At 52</h1>
On Sunday, Jung Ki-joon, a South Korean official who was responsible for designing legislation intended to curb cryptocurrency speculation, was found dead.