The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Cambodian tycoon Ly Yong Phat and his businesses, linking them to human trafficking and forced labor scams involving cryptocurrency fraud. Victims were manipulated into online scam centers, and trafficked workers were forced into labor for these schemes. The sanctions freeze U.S.-based assets and prohibit transactions,…
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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced a partnership with the Dfinity Foundation to enhance its Universal Trusted Credentials (UTC) initiative. The collaboration aims to improve financial inclusion for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) globally using blockchain technology. UN Project Explores Digital Identity Solutions for MSME Financing The partnership will focus on developing…
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A recent report from the South China Morning Post (SCMP) explains the enabling role that Tether’s USDT has on the underground Chinese-linked economy of Cambodia. The stablecoin is allegedly used in different activities like sidestepping capital controls for Chinese nationals, who can use it as an exchange device to acquire tools to facilitate online scams.…
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The CBDC-like bakong provides digital payment services in riel and the U.S. dollar. It has been steadily extending its regional scope. The bakong, a digital currency operated by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), will provide users with access to the Alipay merchant network and enable cross-border transactions on Alipay+ using QR codes under a…
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In recent developments, Electricite du Laos (EDL) announced on August 24 that the power company shut down cryptocurrency mining activities. This decision came after this summer’s unprecedented heat surge escalated electricity demands. Furthermore, these mining operations have reportedly been defaulting on their debts. Laos’ Crypto Mining Grinds to a Halt Amid Energy Crisis Situated in…
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The leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have agreed to “encourage the use of local currencies for economic and financial transactions.” The group comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This move will help them reduce their reliance on the U.S.…
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The government of India has announced that it will facilitate the settlement of international transactions using its national currency, the rupee. As part of its foreign trading policy framework implemented on April 1, the country introduced this measure to facilitate payments for countries experiencing a U.S. dollar crush. India to Offer Rupee-Based Settlement Options for…
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Crypto exchange Binance has signed similar agreements with governments in Kazakhstan, Dubai and Bermuda. Crypto exchange Binance has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC), according to a June 30 announcement. Binance and SERC will work together to develop crypto regulations in the country. SERC is looking to…
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Governments in Asia are quickly researching or implementing CBDCs. What does this mean for the region’s overdependence on the U.S. dollar? The rapid growth of mainstream attention toward cryptocurrencies has forced the hands of numerous governments to create their digital alternatives. Over the past few years, interest from various jurisdictions has been pointed towards central…
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The central bank of Laos intends to explore issuing its own digital currency, according to a media report that provided details on the plan. A study on the matter will commence soon and will be conducted with the support of a fintech startup based in Japan. Central Bank of Laos Joins Race to Develop Digital…
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