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Decentralized exchange dYdX announces ‘winding down’ of services for Canadian users

“We hope that the regulatory climate in Canada will change over time to allow us to resume services in the country," said the exchange.

Cryptocurrency derivatives exchange dYdX has announced it will be restricting Canadian user accounts over the next seven days in a move to exit the market.

In an April 7 blog post, dYdX said it will be “winding down services” in Canada, starting with halting the onboarding of new users located in the country. On April 14, the exchange will move all existing Canadian users to “close-only mode,” allowing them to only withdraw funds.

“dYdX is committed to providing transparency around product decisions and democratizing access to financial opportunity,” said the exchange. “We hope that the regulatory climate in Canada will change over time to allow us to resume services in the country.”

The move followed the Canadian Securities Administrators announcing additional restrictions for crypto exchanges’ registration requirements in the country. The rules required platforms to be “prohibited from permitting Canadian clients to enter into crypto contracts to buy and sell any crypto asset that is itself a security and/or a derivative.”

Related: GMX and dYdX go head-to-head for the top decentralized derivatives position

In September 2022, many dYdX users and those in the crypto space criticized a promotion from the decentralized exchange offering a $25 deposit bonus for confirming someone’s identity using a live webcam image. The exchange later ended the program, citing “overwhelming demand” rather than some of the privacy concerns put forth.

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Kraken aims for restricted dealer registration in Canada to comply with new rules

In February, Canadian Securities Administrators announced enhanced investor protection requirements for crypto asset traders.

Crypto exchange Kraken has filed a preregistration undertaking with the Ontario Securities Commission in Canada seeking restricted dealer status. U.S.-based Kraken is already active in Canada and is acting to comply with new guidance.

Kraken is registered in Canada as a money services business and has been operating there for over ten years. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) implemented new guidance for crypto asset trading platforms on Feb. 22, requiring Kraken to file a preregistration undertaking legally committing it to observe new investor protections.

The new requirements crypto trading platforms will be subject to include new custody standards, restrictions on the use of leverage and a ban on trading stablecoin without prior written consent from the CSA. Kraken managing director for Canada Mark Greenberg said:

“We want both existing and prospective clients to know Kraken remains committed to Canada.”

Restricted dealer registration is “a special kind of dealing registration used for firms that do not quite fit under any other category” under CSA definitions. Regulators tailor requirements for firms with this status individually.

Cryptocurrency exchange OKX announced on March 20 that it would stop providing service to Canadian customers within three months due to “new regulations.” OKX added that its withdrawal from the country was temporary and it was working with regulators.

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The CSA is the umbrella organization for Canada’s 13 regional securities regulators. There is no federal Canadian regulator. Registration by one CSA member provides a so-called “passport” for firms doing business in other provinces or territories.

In February, Kraken paid $30 million in penalties and disgorgement in the United States after the Securities and Exchange Commission charged it with failing to register its staking-as-a-service program as a security. Kraken said at the time that it would continue to offer its staking program to non-U.S. customers.

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OKX seeks Australian expansion citing ‘huge appetite’ for crypto

The exchange's chief marketing officer believes Australians are above-the-curve when it comes to crypto education and interest.

Seychelles-based crypto exchange OKX has signaled its intention to expand its crypto services to Australia, a country it believes is primed to take on the next wave of crypto adoption.

The trading platform explained in a March 29 statement that Australia would be a key growth market for the firm moving forward. The firm states it provides services to over 100 countries. In July 2022, it secured a provisional license in Dubai.

"We see Australia as an indispensable part of this strategy and a key growth market. With such a strong uptake of crypto in Australia already, we're committed to the local market and aim to build a strong local office,” the firm wrote in a statement.

Haider Rafique, the chief marketing officer of OKX told Cointelegraph that the decision to expand "Down Under" was driven by a “huge appetite” of Australians for more crypto investment and trading products:

“What I’ve interestingly found over the last 5-6 years is that Australian retail investors certainly show a huge appetite for exploring crypto as an investment vehicle and also for trading. When I came to OKX, I certainly saw that in terms of web traffic and people from Australia trying to explore OKX services.”

Rafique believes Australians are above-the-curve in terms of crypto education, which he hopes will make OKX’s move into the market all the more smooth.

“They’re pretty familiar with crypto, the value of blockchain, the promise that it holds in the future, and I think from us as a company, it makes it really intriguing for us to extend our services in this market,” he said, adding:

“I think the value creation we can do for Australians will ultimately lift all boats.”
OKX Ambassadors Daniel Ricciardo and Scotty James with OKX CMO Haider Rafique at the Q&A session held in Melbourne on March 30. Source: OKX

A September 2022 survey from Australian crypto exchange Swyftx found that about 1 million Aussies are expected to enter into crypto for the first time within the next 12 months, which represents about 4% of the country’s population.

Rafique said he was also impressed with Australia’s crypto startup scene.

It is understood that the trading firm has not yet registered with AUSTRAC, the licensing regime required to offer cryptocurrency services in Australia.

OKX was not in a position yet to share where the Australian office would potentially be located or how large the team would be. OKX currently employs over 1,750 staff, according to LinkedIn.

Related: OKX latest proof of reserves reveals $8.9B in assets

OKX is in the process of applying for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Hong Kong too, Rafique confirmed.

The expansion plan into Australia and Hong Kong comes as OKX recently announced plans to cease its services to Canadians in June.

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G7 to collaborate on tighter crypto regulation: Report

Leaders from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and the European Union are expected to outline a global cooperative strategy for digital assets in May.

The next G7 meeting might bring a push from the seven biggest democracies for tougher regulations on cryptocurrencies around the world, Kyoto news agency reports on March 25.

Together, leaders from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and the European Union will outline a cooperative strategy to increase crypto transparency and enhance consumer protections, as well as address potential risks to the global financial system, officials told Kyoto. This year's summit is set to happen in Hiroshima, in May.

Among G7 members, Japan already regulates cryptocurrencies, while the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is set to go into effect in 2024. The United Kingdom is gradually developing its crypto framework, with a special category for crypto assets on tax forms recently introduced, as well as plans for a digital pound.

Related: The limitations of the EU’s new cryptocurrency regulations

Canada treats digital assets as securities and the United States currently applies existing financial regulations, with some anticipating a crypto regulatory framework from lawmakers in the coming months.

Parallel efforts towards standards for digital assets are being made by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the group of the 20 biggest economies of the world — collectively known as G20 — announced in February during a meeting in Bengaluru, India.

India's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, during FMCBG meeting in Bengaluru. Source: Ministry of Finance

Recommendations on the regulation, supervision and oversight of global stablecoins, crypto assets activities and markets are scheduled to be delivered by July and September. It is unclear, however, what the overall tone of the recommendations will be.

For instance, in February the IMF released an action plan on crypto assets, urging countries to abolish legal tender status for cryptocurrencies. The IMF opposition to crypto as legal tender is well known, especially since El Salvador adopted Bitcoin as its official currency in September 2021. The fund, however, has been advocating for countries to adopt greater crypto regulation, while it's working on an interoperable central bank digital currency platform to connect multiple global CBDCs and enable cross-border transactions.

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Crypto Biz: Mastercard opens network to USDC, OKX departs Canada, Bitcoin climbs

Despite global bank turmoil and regulatory crackdowns, traditional and decentralized finance (DeFi) are continuing to blend.

Take, for example, the recent issues that Circle-issued USD Coin (USDC) faced when it depegged from the U.S. dollar following Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse. Two weeks later, Mastercard boldly integrated the stablecoin into its infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region, allowing users to spend USDC through its network. It’s happening, folks!

And let’s not forget about Bitcoin (BTC) — that digital gold is still on the rise and decoupling from Wall Street, once again proving its value proposition and prompting calls for a hedge against equity markets in the long run.

This week’s Crypto Biz documents the latest developments on worldwide crypto adoption, and how banking system fears impact the crypto space.

Banks turmoil and regulatory crackdowns happening worldwide have not slowed down the ongoing blending of traditional and decentralized finance (DeFi). The on-ramps connecting the two sides seem even stronger despite the wild winds of change.

Mastercard to settle transactions for stablecoin wallet in APAC

Global payment provider Mastercard has made another move into the crypto space to allow retail customers in the Asia-Pacific region to spend stablecoins anywhere Mastercard is accepted. This move was made possible by a partnership with Stables, an Australian stablecoin platform. Users can spend and save USDC by converting it into fiat and settling on the Mastercard network. The wallet will accept deposits in several stablecoins, including Tether (USDT) and Binance USD (BUSD), with all deposits automatically converted into USDC.

MetaMask enables direct crypto purchases in Nigeria

On-ramps for digital assets are also increasing in Nigeria, as crypto wallet MetaMask expanded direct transactions with local banks. MetaMask’s parent firm ConsenSys has partnered with crypto fintech MoonPay, enabling users in the country to purchase crypto via instant bank transfers without requiring a credit or debit card. The integration is estimated to reduce the decline rate for direct crypto purchases in Nigeria from 90% to 30%. Nigeria is a major market for MetaMask, ranking third in mobile monthly active users. Chainalysis ranks Nigeria as one of the top 20 countries in cryptocurrency adoption.

OKX to cease operations in Canada by June 22, 2023

In a “temporary” bye-bye, crypto exchange OKX emailed Canadian users that the firm “will no longer provide services or allow users to open new accounts in Canada starting on March 24, 2023.” OKX cited “new regulations” behind the move, saying it is only temporary while it works with regulators. By June 22, OKX’s customers in the country must close open options, margins, perpetuals and futures positions. Fiat or tokens must also be withdrawn by that date. In February, The Canadian Securities Administrators published a notice requiring crypto exchanges to sign new, legally binding undertakings while they await registration with regulators. 

Off-boarding message sent to Canadian OKX users on March 20, 2023. Source: OKX

Bitcoin’s banking crisis surge will ‘attract more institutions’: ARK’s Cathie Wood

With fears of a global banking crisis on the rise, Bitcoin’s value proposition is on full display as its price continues to climb following the collapses of Silvergate, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood believes the current decoupling of BTC’s price to the equity markets may attract more institutional investors into Bitcoin over time. As for the impact on Bitcoin’s price from institutional interest, Wood expects that most firms would allocate between 2.5% to 6.5% of their investment portfolios to BTC by 2030, taking the leading cryptocurrency’s price to $1–1.5 million.

The impact of the Credit Suisse bank crisis on the crypto market

How to analyze banks and avoid inaccurate market capitalization indicators — such as the $15.8 billion value of Silicon Valley Bank? Crypto analyst Marcel Pechman delves into the enterprise value metric and how it provides a better picture of a bank’s balance sheet terms by subtracting net debt from market cap. Of course, Pechman first explains the relationship between banking valuation and cryptocurrencies, specifically Bitcoin’s ethos. 

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OKX to cease operations in Canada by June 22 2023

"Withdrawals from OKX will continue to be available," wrote the OKX team in an email to users. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

On Mar. 20, cryptocurrency exchange OKX informed Canadian users via email the firm "will no longer provide services or allow users to open new accounts in Canada starting on Mar. 24, 2023, 12:00 AM EST," citing "new regulations." According to OKX, existing Canadian customers must close open positions in options, margins, perpetual, and futures by June 22, 2023. Fiat or tokens must also be withdrawn by the said date.

"Your funds will remain safe in your account until you withdraw them. You will be able to withdraw dollars to your linked bank account and cryptocurrency to your self-custody wallet or your cryptocurrency account on another exchange. "

OKX says its withdrawal from Canada is "temporary," and the exchange is working with regulators to solve this issue. "We hope to see you again in the future. Stay tuned," wrote OKX staff. Previously, cryptocurrency exchange Bittrex Global off-boarded Canadian users on July 29, 2022, after giving advance notice, which, too, cited regulatory developments as reasons for leaving the country.

On Feb. 22, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published a notice requiring crypto exchanges to sign new, legally-binding undertakings while they await registration with the regulatory. Among many items, the new undertaking prohibits "buying or depositing Value Referenced Crypto Assets (commonly referred to as stablecoins) through crypto contracts without the prior written consent of the CSA." Although it appears stablecoin USD Coin (USDC) has not been affected by the ruling. 

Currently, all cryptocurrency exchanges must register with Canadian regulators before onboarding users in the country. On June 22, 2022, cryptocurrency exchanges ByBit and KuCoin were issued millions of dollars in fines after the Ontario Securities Comission determined that determined both were operating as "non-compliant platforms" in the country.

The off-boarding message sent to Canadian OKX users on Mar. 20 2023 | Source: OKX

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