The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has taken action against seven unlicensed crypto entities for operating without licenses and violating marketing regulations. VARA has issued cease-and-desist orders and imposed fines on these entities. The regulator warned the public of the risks associated with dealing with unlicensed crypto businesses, emphasizing the potential for financial and…
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The United Arab Emirates has introduced VAT amendments that impact crypto transactions, redefining tax obligations for companies in the digital asset space. Under the new rules, businesses dealing with cryptocurrencies and other digital assets must carefully evaluate their tax positions, especially as some provisions retroactively affect transactions since 2018. UAE’s VAT Amendments Introduce Retroactive Tax…
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India has achieved a high level of technical compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, addressing illicit finance, money laundering, and terrorist financing. In a joint assessment with regional bodies, the FATF praised India’s progress but pointed out areas needing improvement, especially in regulating the non-financial sector and virtual asset providers. The country was…
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United Arab Emirates (UAE) regulators, SCA and VARA, have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen the country’s position as a virtual assets hub. The agreement outlines licensing requirements for VASPs, establishes mutual supervision mechanisms, and aims to foster a stable and regulated virtual assets sector in the UAE. Both regulators will work together to ensure…
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The U.S. Department of State and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-hosted a symposium in New York City on Tuesday, focusing on protecting the virtual asset industry from exploitation by North Korea (DPRK) and disrupting its revenue generation. The event aimed to curb DPRK’s efforts to fund its weapons of mass destruction…
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The Bank of Ghana has released draft regulations aimed at creating a framework for the cryptocurrency industry. The rules are designed to protect consumers, prevent financial crimes, and encourage financial inclusion. Virtual asset service providers (VASPs) will be required to register and meet strict standards, while commercial banks are prohibited from dealing directly with virtual…
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The 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…
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Commercial 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…
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Three-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…
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A 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…
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