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Seychelles Approves Bill on Virtual Asset Regulation

Seychelles Approves Bill on Virtual Asset RegulationThe Seychelles National Assembly has approved a draft bill to regulate virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The bill requires license-seeking VASPs to establish a substantial presence in Seychelles, such as having a resident director and an office with competent staff. The law aims to balance innovation with anti-money laundering efforts, adhering to Financial Action Task […]

Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token

UAE Bank Launches VASP-Focused Accounts for Managing User Funds

UAE Bank Launches VASP-Focused Accounts for Managing User FundsCommercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), a United Arab Emirates-based bank, has launched dedicated accounts for virtual asset service providers to manage client funds. CEO Bernd van Linder said the move aligns with CBD’s core banking services and supports the bank’s plans to foster the digital economy. VASP Accounts Align With Bank’s Vision Commercial Bank of […]

Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token

Three-Quarters of Jurisdictions Partially or Not Compliant with VASP Sector Recommendation, Says FATF

Three-Quarters of Jurisdictions Partially or Not Compliant with VASP Sector Recommendation, Says FATFThree-quarters of the jurisdictions surveyed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “are only partially or not compliant” with the anti-money laundering recommendation for the virtual assets sector. According to the latest FATF update, 60% (88 jurisdictions) have decided to permit virtual asset service providers (VASPs), while 14% (20 jurisdictions) explicitly prohibit them. The FATF […]

Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token

Korean Researcher Says Benefits of Spot Crypto ETFs Are Outweighed by Potential Harm

Korean Researcher Says Benefits of Spot Crypto ETFs Are Outweighed by Potential HarmA researcher with the Korean Institute of Finance has warned South Korea against introducing spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) because these may pose risks to financial stability. The introduction of spot crypto ETFs could exacerbate the inefficient allocation of resources. Spot Crypto ETFs Cause Inefficient Allocation of Resources Bo-mi Lee, a researcher with the Korean […]

Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token

Nigerian Regulator Amends VASPs Rules; Threatens Enforcement Against Noncompliant Entities

Nigerian Regulator Amends VASPs Rules; Threatens Enforcement Against Noncompliant EntitiesThe Nigerian securities regulator said on June 21 that it had amended the digital asset rules to expand their scope and introduced an accelerated process for onboarding virtual asset service providers. The Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme provides VASPs with insights into the Commission’s expectations before they fully commence operations. Regulator Threatens Enforcement Action Against Non-Compliant […]

Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token

Zimbabwean Regulators Develop Framework for Virtual Assets Trading

Zimbabwean Regulators Develop Framework for Virtual Assets TradingThe Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SECZ) and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) are reportedly developing a framework for virtual asset trading. The framework aims to provide clear legislation, client protection under the Data Protection Act, and educational support. Challenges include infrastructural investment and licensing fees for foreign-supplied systems. An informal virtual asset […]

Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token

South Korean Regulator Excludes Certain NFTs From Crypto Regulations

South Korean Regulator Excludes Certain NFTs From Crypto RegulationsSouth Korea’s top financial regulator has issued guidelines clarifying when non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are considered virtual assets. This distinction aims to minimize the risk of widespread user harm. The guidelines will be part of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, effective July 19, 2024. FSC Issues New NFT Classification Guidelines On Monday, South Korea’s top […]

Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token

South Korea labels mass-produced NFTs as virtual assets

NFTs considered as virtual assets are eligible to receive interest when deposited to exchanges according to the FSC’s guidelines published in 2023.

South Korea’s financial watchdog, the Financial Services Commission (FSC), issued guidelines clarifying when nonfungible tokens (NFTs) can be treated as virtual assets. 

On June 10, local media outlet News1 reported that the FSC will regulate NFTs similarly to crypto if they don’t possess traits that differentiate them from virtual assets.

According to the regulator, NFTs that are mass-produced, divisible and can be used as payment will be considered virtual assets.

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Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token

Interpol Nigeria boosts cybersecurity with virtual asset training

The training will enable officers to effectively address cybercrimes involving virtual assets, particularly stablecoins.

The Nigerian Interpol, cybersecurity experts, and other members of the local intelligence community met to brainstorm ways to tackle the rising waves of cybercrime in the country.

The brainstorming, which took place in the nation’s capital, Abuja, under the training platform organized by A&D Forensics in partnership with the Africa Stablecoin Consortium, was said to have been designed to position the Nigerian Interpol on how to mitigate crimes involving virtual assets, particularly stablecoins.

According to blockchain specialist Chioma Onyekelu, the training session aimed to empower Interpol agents with the skills to leverage blockchain intelligence and analysis in tracing and prosecuting cybercriminals involved in cryptocurrency transactions, specifically those using Bitcoin and stablecoins.

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Crypto firm pleads guilty to wash trading FBI-made token