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Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority

Swiss regulator FINMA targets stablecoin issuers in new proposal

As stablecoins continue to gain traction globally, regulatory initiatives such as FINMA’s guidance are likely to influence policies in other jurisdictions.

In a move aimed at bolstering regulatory oversight and mitigating financial risks, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has proposed new guidelines for stablecoin issuers. The proposal comes amid growing concerns over the potential impact of stablecoins on regulated institutions and the broader financial ecosystem. 

According to a recent guidance document, FINMA seeks to classify stablecoin issuers as financial intermediaries, highlighting the increased risks associated with money laundering, terror funding, and sanctions evasion linked to these digital assets.

Stablecoins, digital assets linked to traditional currencies or other assets to maintain a stable value, have experienced increased adoption. However, their rapid growth has also prompted regulatory concerns globally due to potential misuse for illicit activities.

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Swiss regulator forces crypto-friendly FlowBank into bankruptcy

The Swiss-based bank had ties to the TrueUSD stablecoin issuer, Techteryx, crypto asset manager CoinShares and reportedly Binance.

FlowBank, an online Swiss bank that offered cryptocurrency trading services, has been shut down and forced into bankruptcy after the Swiss financial regulator found it “seriously breached” standards required for it to operate as a bank.

“This measure became necessary as the bank no longer has the minimum capital required for its business operations,” the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority said in a June 13 statement.

There’s “no prospect of a restructuring,” and there are “fears that the bank is over-indebted,” FINMA added.

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