Search
Swiss regulator launches proceedings against ico issuer
**The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has launched enforcement proceedings against envion AG.** After raising over $100 million from investors, envion AG’s ico became the second major ico that has sparked controversy in Switzerland. FINMA stated that **envion AG may have violated financial market law in relation to Initial Coin Offering** (ico). Therefore, FINMA launched ...
Path: BlogNovelties for the Blockchain Business and icos in Gibraltar
... time add more regulations to this branch of business. What else can we tell about the newest regulations in Gibraltar? This British overseas territory added one more innovative process to the scope of its regulation. From the 1st of January 2018 icos (Initial Coin Offerings) are legitimate too. **Gibraltar has become the first jurisdiction where ico is officially in compliance with the law*...
Path: BlogSwitzerland puts a hand over supervising icos
February 16th became an important day for **European crypto-community**. **Switzerland** showed itself as a progressive jurisdiction and published guidelines regarding the **ico regulation**. It was developed by The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). Many Swiss startups has now decided to announce ico as acceptable since it is easier than attracting investors as it was 5 - ...
Path: BlogList of icos to watch in June
...dly increased**. Here are some projects that successfully launched during the previous month and are worth to be reviewed. These are **TTC Protocol, Hero Node, VideoCoin, ATN** and **The Abyss**. TTC Protocol have achieved almost 90% of their ico goals, Hero Node and VideoCoin are the only two projects to get 100% of their ico goals. ANT, the global artificial project has not specified any ...
Path: Blogico vs IPO. Main differences
...urrency market has caught attention of many, from brokers wishing to make some quick earnings, to high skilled professionals who have extended experience in the classical capital market. Therefore, it was rather expected when initial coin offerings (ico’s) accumulated more funds in the first three months of 2018 than during the entire 2017. Nowadays we hear a lot of different information abo...
Path: BlogBitcoin Mining Faces Rumors in China
...rds Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. However, mining is still not banned and, any unofficial statements that might claim it is an outlaw, do not have any legal power. At the same time, we have to remind that the **cryptocurrency exchanges** and **ico** are illegal in China. Considering the fact, that the government has already restricted the access of Chinese citizens to many internet resour...
Path: BlogHong Kong introduced new rules for Virtual Asset Fund Managers
.... Also, under the de minimis requirement, virtual fund managers should only allow professional investors to invest in any virtual asset portfolios. The newly-introduced regulation also outlines the rules on participation in Initial Offerings (icos). It explains that virtual asset managers have to ensure the fair allocation of tokens purchased and provide records revealing (I) *the intended ...
Path: BlogRussia adopting three-tier cryptocurrency regulation
...three-tier regulation, cryptocurrencies are differentiated as: **Virtual Assets** - cryptocurrency that is used to transfer values (e.g. Bitcoin) **Technical Tokens** – utility/technical tokens (e.g. Ethereum) **Digital Finance Assets** - ico tokens. It worth noting that many public institutions and authorities have developed a negative attitude towards cryptocurrency. The inability...
Path: BlogJapanese Officials Introduce New Amendments in Japan’s Crypto Laws
...dated regulations have refined terminologies, calling them “crypto assets” instead of “virtual currencies” or “cryptocurrencies”. Another important amendment added to the regulations is the legal definitions of initial coin offerings (icos) and security token offerings (STOs). For years, blockchain firms struggled to get regulators to clarify the exact differences in terms of regula...
Path: BlogSouth Africa’s Introduction to Crypto Regulation
...y sandbox approach. IFWG’s policy calls for more regulations in the blockchain crowdfunding sector. Regulators believe that it is important to align these activities to current securities regulations in the country. The policy mentions STOs and icos as two main crowdfunding techniques that should fall under securities regulations. Even payment and utility tokens would also have to submit the...
Path: BlogFirst central bank issued digital coin in the euro zone
...minal worth of 19.18 euros. LBCOINs can be exchanged directly with the central bank and on private blockchain networks. The sum total of crypto exchange transactions from 2017 to 2018 stood at 661 million euros (around $762 million). According to ico figures in October of 2018, Lithuania was one of the world leaders and shows the highest, 305 percent, growth from all over the world. Considering...
Path: BlogLaunch of a new EU trade body - The European Digital Payments Industry Alliance
On 7 May 2020 Ingenico Group, Nets, Nexi, and Worldline announced the launch of an EU advocacy alliance bringing together Europe’s leading independent payment services providers. New advocacy alliance is called the European Digital Payments Industry Alliance (EDPIA). The organization will engage in policy debates improving the EU and world-wide payment sector by pushing instant, secure and fri...
Path: BlogIs Accepting Bitcoin a Reasonable Choice for Banks?
... is just a bubble, whereas others believe that **Bitcoin** is the new fiat. Unfortunately, nobody can predict all perspectives for sure and all we have is a forecast and assumptions. The rapid growth of the Bitcoin rate and dozens of successful icos made many entrepreneurs change their minds about this phenomenon . One of the latest news is the BNP Paribas bank expressing the official positio...
Path: BlogCyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) accepts new policy for Crypto-Asset providers
...yone that providers management, administration, transmission, transfer, retention, custodianship and safekeeping of crypto-assets or cryptographic keys or means which allow for the exercise of control in crypto-assets; • Initial Coin Offerings (ico), Security Token Offerings (STO), Initial Exchange Offerings (IEO), Initial Dex Offerings (IDO); • All initial offerings, offerings and/or sa...
Path: BlogHow to Obtain a Crypto License in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
...ing the crypto regulatory framework in SVG. Although this act is not yet in force, it outlines the requirements for operating crypto businesses and will eventually regulate various activities such as cryptocurrency exchanges, initial coin offerings (icos), decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, and non-fungible token (NFT) drops. The VABA will require businesses to adhere to AML/CFT regulations an...
Path: BlogEuro Pacific Bank Account Opening
Euro Pacific Bank is an international financial group in the banking, brokerage, mutual fund and financial services industries, headquartered in Puerto Rico.Account opening: 7-14 working days Overview: Euro Pacific Bank differentiates itself through a unique banking model. Many of the traditional banking services (mortgages, car loans, credit cards, trade finance etc.) are...
Path: BanksEuro Pacific Bank Account Opening
Euro Pacific Bank is an international financial group in the banking, brokerage, mutual fund and financial services industries, headquartered in Puerto Rico.Account opening: 7-14 working days Overview: Euro Pacific Bank differentiates itself through a unique banking model. Many of the traditional banking services (mortgages, car loans, credit cards, trade finance etc.) are...
Path: BanksFINRA grants extended deadlines for companies to report their crypto activities
...ed activities that FINRA outlined for its members to report include: • purchases and sales carried out with cryptocurrencies; • creation, management or participation of a crypto exchange, fund or derivatives product; • participation in an ico or Pre-ico; • facilitating the clearing or distribution of cryptocurrencies; and • recording cryptocurrencies using blockchain or distribute...
Path: BlogMalaysia is planning to regulate initial coin offerings as securities offerings
We hasten to inform that **Malaysia’s SC (Securities Commission) recently has commenced regulation of icos and crypto exchanges**. New legislation (Capital Markets and Services Order) entered into force on Tuesday, January 15. The new prescription order means that icos and exchanges would require additional confirmation from the SC prior to commencement of operations and would have to compl...
Path: BlogJapan's Financial Services Agency is ready to approve crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
...among other things, can potentially include changes to existing financial rules regarding cryptocurrency**. The above-mentioned bill is created in order to increase the level of self-regulatory administration of crypto-industry and classify a lot of ico tokens as securities, the bill may come into force by 2020. The FSA has abandoned its plans to include permission for trading crypto derivative...
Path: BlogTop 5 crypto-friendly jurisdictions
...elp with crypto-friendly legislation. During the past year, Gibraltar created a license for FinTech companies to attract blockchain start-ups. But it didn’t stop there, and this year, the Gibraltar government succeeded in drafting a regulation for icos. **MALTA** Malta is the jurisdiction that competes with Gibraltar for the crown in the Mediterranean — and currently is in the lead....
Path: BlogTwo of Malta's blockchain acts came into force
As Malta aspires to become the center of blockchain, crypto, and icos, the ‘Blockchain Island’ was the first territory to commence regulation of the blockchain and crypto areas by adopting two bills, namely: '**The Innovative Technology Arrangements**' and '**The Services and the Virtual Financial Assets Act**'. As it was expected, both of the above-mentioned acts (the Acts) came into force ...
Path: BlogChina's Central Bank is planning to ban crypto airdrops
...ducting free airdrop campaigns in the country.** In its latest financial stability report for 2018, which was published on November 2, 2018 the **central bank stated that there has been a surge in the number of "disguised" Initial Coin Offerings (ico)**, as well as free distribution of crypto tokens via airdrops, despite its effort to clamp down on this type of activities. China’s central...
Path: BlogMalta as the new crypto bay
**Malta is swiftly becoming one of the popular destinations for crypto and ico** whereas other jurisdictions around the world restricting cryptocurrencies and icos or adopting a neutral approach. Even though Malta is the smallest EU member, its government is developing reliable laws for the newly created industry that will probably become the next big thing following the Internet, as well as ...
Path: BlogCryptocurrency: what are your options?
...ol to monetize applications in the Ethereum network. Budget investors are urged to look into its ability to allow the creation of distributed applications without interference from another party. The ETC is also popular among initial coin offerings (icos), an aid for startup crypto junkies. * -Litecoin (LTC). Often considered as Bitcoin’s clone, Litecoin is at $98.07 per coin. Familiarity is o...
Path: BlogPolymath CEO Trevor Koverko on smart investing, secret societies, and security tokens
... Trevor’s time at the World Blockchain Forum in London, and here’s what we found out. **He Makes Smart Investment Choices** Active in crypto since the early days and buying his first Bitcoin on eBay, Trevor is famous for investing in early icos, including MasterCoin, Ethereum, ShapeShift, and EOS. Before that, he was in Silicon Valley and Wall Street. And before that, he was a hockey ...
Path: Blog5 signs of booming blockchain innovation in Australia
...n-under. The likes of HP and Microsoft both with innovation centers here. Australia has already made a splash on the world scene with its homegrown telecom company Myriota. The company won best industrial startup at the Internet of Things Summit, Silicon Valley, for their low-cost, low-power IoT transceiver. And when it comes to blockchain innovation in Australia, their talent pool is quickly d...
Path: BlogBitcoin and cryptocurrency litigation
...ol to monetize applications in the Ethereum network. Budget investors are urged to look into its ability to allow the creation of distributed applications without interference from another party. The ETC is also popular among initial coin offerings (icos), an aid for startup crypto junkies. * ***Litecoin (LTC).*** Often considered as Bitcoin’s clone, Litecoin is at $98.07 per coin. Familiarit...
Path: BlogA raising trend of investment scams in Australia
...authorities proceed to inform cryptocurrency exchange platforms, that they are now subject to this new regulation, with **one of the requirements being – registration with AUSTRAC**. As we already stated earlier, investing in cryptocurrency and ico is a very painstaking and risky step, and it must be approached with extremely caution. **Offshorelicense LTD** will be reliable contractor in all...
Path: BlogOffshore jurisdictions introduce strict requirements for tax residents
...uded as it was possible for offshore companies (structures) to generate a profit without "real" economic activity. These are Anguilla, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Caymans, Guernsey, Maine, Jersey, Marshall Islands, Turks and Caicos, UAE and Vanuatu. EU threatened to "blacklist" the above-mentioned territories if they fail to implement additional requirements for their tax re...
Path: BlogBermuda warns: virtual currency shall not pass
...y expressed its position about crypto-investments. According to the authority’s opinion, investing in new technologies, including cryptocurrencies, poses a serious risk. One of the scariest phenomen in crypto world is **Initial Coin Offering** (ico). It differs from the traditional capital-raising process used by banks and venture capitalists. Mostly, icos are used by startup companies to rai...
Path: BlogVirtual Currencies’ Control in Singapore
...most control will be imposed on intermediaries who perform exchanges of fiat currency for virtual and vice versa. This means that additional documents, permissions and obligations for business might arise. In addition, initial coin offerings or **icos** also will have to comply with new regulations. Investors will be more protected than any time before. Registration of your ico and obtaining an...
Path: BlogHong Kong Type 9 (Asset Management) License
...profits Double Taxation Agreements: Hong Kong has comprehensive double tax agreements with Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Qatar and the Mainland China respectively to relieve t...
Path: LicensingEstonia Crypto License
... its progressive legislation and favorable environment for virtual currency activities. As the first EU country to regulate cryptocurrency companies, Estonia has attracted over 2,000 licensed crypto businesses. Entrepreneurs often choose Estonia for icos, IEOs, and IDOs, taking advantage of its clear legal framework, attractive tax policies, and cost-effective licensing. Despite stringent regulati...
Path: LicensingGibraltar Crypto License
...rview Gibraltar offers an attractive environment for cryptocurrency companies, featuring low tax rates and favorable regulations. Cryptocurrencies are legally recognized as a means of payment, and activities such as exchanges, token issuance, and icos are permitted and regulated. This makes Gibraltar a prime location for fintech and crypto projects. General information ...
Path: LicensingHong Kong Limited Company Formation
...t. Double Taxation Agreements: Hong Kong has comprehensive double tax agreements with Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Qatar and the Mainland China respectively to reli...
Path: CompaniesBritish Virgin Islands Forex License
... the FSC: USD$ 1,500 (NB: if licensed after June 30th this is reduced to US$750) Overview The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a self-governing British overseas territory and is located approximately sixty miles east of Puerto Rico and two miles from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands BVI offers a well established framework for companies willing to provide financial services....
Path: LicensingBelize Forex License
... 000 License fee: USD 25 000.00 License renewal government fee: USD 25 000.00 plus company renewal gov. fee of 1099 USD Overview Belize is an independent country, located in Central America and it borders with Mexico, and Guatemala. In terms of time, Belize Forex License can be obtained comparatively quick. Moreover, Belize enjoys good reputation in the sphe...
Path: LicensingBritish Virgin Islands International Business Company Formation
...urier (3-5 days) + 3 working days for the apostilled documents Minimum paid up capital: No minimum capital requirement Overview The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are located approximately sixty miles east of Puerto Rico and two miles fr om St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and constitute one of the world’s most reputable international financial centres wh ere appr...
Path: CompaniesAntigua and Barbuda International Business Company Formation
...gh average life expectancy of 71 years. Antigua and Barbuda is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative that grants duty-free entry into the United States for many goods. It is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARicoM) and the CARicoM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Antigua is also a member of World Trade Organization (WTO), WIPO, UNCTAD and many more i...
Path: CompaniesSwitzerland Crypto License
...s (depending on the business model, one activity may fall under several licenses at the same time): Financial intermediary license (the most common); Banking license; Investment fund license; Dealer in securities license. As for the ico itself, FINMA regulates this activity, dividing produced tokens into three categories: payment tokens: a synonym for cryptocurrency (as a ru...
Path: Licensing