![Globe Purple.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmS8woFpdvf37gJsCj1XtCSRyarQBUpJTnckFz4b9rsrSY/Globe%20Purple.png) -------------- The **Global CryptoReg Roundup** is a weekly digest of crypto-focused political, regulatory, and legal news from across the globe. No frills or needless exposition. Just the facts (ma'am).... -------------- -------------- ![AUSTRALIA.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWG5dXPrEr5J1qdQgMVoZDjyukeJvcRsjyABgxRU6VA8E/AUSTRALIA.png) -------------- * Australian consumer protection authority [receives nearly 1,300 crypto fraud complaints in 2017](https://www.coindesk.com/australian-watchdog-received-1200-crypto-scam-complaints-in-2017/), citing over $1 million in alleged losses. * Self-proclaimed “Bondi bitcoin brother” [acknowledges involvement in pyramid scheme, immediately walks back comments](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5407057/Bondi-bitcoin-investor-denies-USI-Tech-pyramid-scheme.html). -------------- ![ASIA.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYV6Wd9FbSrqVfFEk1B1i6L4R6mM9XoCSjRptnG7nqYRU/ASIA.png) -------------- ### Japan -------------- * Japanese crypto exchanges [report 669 cases of suspected money laundering over the last 8 months of 2017](https://www.coindesk.com/japans-exchanges-report-669-cases-of-suspected-crypto-money-laundering/). -------------- ### South Korea -------------- * FSA Governor: [“the government will encourage banks to make transactions with crypto currency exchanges...if normal transactions are made”](https://www.legalgamblingandthelaw.com/news/south-koreas-u-turn-will-support-banks-deal-crypto-exchanges/). * SK crypto regulator [found dead in home, reportedly from a heart attack](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/south-korean-cryptocurrency-regulator-reportedly-found-dead-in-home-2018-02-20). -------------- ### Malaysia -------------- * Malaysian firm HelloGold’s GOLDX token [earns world’s first Shariah-compliant certification](http://www.the-blockchain.com/2018/02/21/hellogolds-goldx-worlds-first-shariah-compliant-crypto-asset/). -------------- ### Thailand -------------- * OmisGo (OMG) reaches [deal with Thai government to develop payment and identification systems](https://cryptoglobalist.com/2018/02/21/omisego-omg-sweet-deal-with-the-thai-government/amp/). -------------- ### Bangladesh -------------- * In the wake of a national ban on cryptocurrencies, Bangladesh police [confirm they are “on the hunt” for bitcoin users](https://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/921762/Bitcoin-price-ripple-cryptocurrency-ethereum-BTC-to-USD-XRP-news). -------------- ### India -------------- * Cabinet announces support of bill to [ban unregulated deposit schemes, potentially to include cryptocurrencies](https://inc42.com/buzz/cryptocurrency-bitcoin-bill/). -------------- ### Kazakhstan -------------- * Kazkh association announces intention to [develop crypto rules for Eurasian Economic Union](https://astanatimes.com/2018/02/kazakh-association-takes-initiative-to-create-rules-of-the-game-on-crypto-currency-market-in-eaeu/). * Employees from Finance Ministry [caught using government servers to mine cryptocoins](https://news.bitcoin.com/finance-ministry-employees-caught-mining-cryptos-kazakhstan/). -------------- ### Russia -------------- * A subsidiary of the state-owned VEB bank developing a system to [guarantee investments in ICOs](https://news.bitcoin.com/system-to-guarantee-ico-investments-russia/). * Local authorities at odds with the Duma over the speed & quality of [proposed crypto regulation bill](https://news.bitcoin.com/russian-authorities-criticized-over-proposed-crypto-regulation/). * Proposal to “test” and “tame” cryptocurrencies in Crimea [introduced in the parliament](https://news.bitcoin.com/russia-tame-test-crypto-technologies-crimea/). -------------- ### Turkey -------------- * Turkish leaders [considering the creation of national cryptocurrency: TurkCoin](https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/02/turkey-mulls-national-bitcoin.html). -------------- ### Israel -------------- * Israeli tax authority confirms cryptocurrency to be [classified as asset subject to capital gains tax](http://hibusiness.ca/2018/02/20/israel-tax-authority-to-tax-bitcoin-as-an-asset/). -------------- -------------- ![EUROPE.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQCzV5CbYzDbAyGqTQPw8auyuWmChNSXgJjggkUaX7xTU/EUROPE.png) -------------- ### European Union -------------- * Crypto exchanges and wallets to be [classified as within scope of EU law in the Fifth Money Laundering Directive (“MLD5”)](http://www.gibraltarlaw.com/eu-mld5-cryptocurrency/?utm_source=Mondaq&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=View-Original). * European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis to [chair high-level roundtable next week to discuss crypto regulation with industry leaders](https://cryptovest.com/news/ec-to-talk-cryptocurrency-regulation-next-week/). -------------- ### Poland -------------- * Polish central bank [finances Youtube stars to create videos about a crypto crash and issue warnings about investing in crypto assets](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/poland-central-bank-paid-youtube-star-for-video-about-cryptocurrency-crash.html). -------------- ### Croatia -------------- * Croatian self-regulatory group UBIK [begins work on issues related to crypto taxation, ICO regulation, and mining operations](https://cointelegraph.com/news/croatia-launches-self-regulating-blockchain-organization-amidst-growing-worldwide-trend). ------------- ### Slovenia -------------- * Meeting of Slovenian authorities and crypto entrepreneurs [indicates cooperative tone and “favorable conditions”](https://news.bitcoin.com/steps-towards-self-regulation-croatia-slovenia/). ------------- ### Austria -------------- * Austria plans to develop crypto regulations [modeled after existing rules on trading gold and derivatives](https://www.coindesk.com/austria-cryptocurrency-regulation-icos-gold-derivatives/). ------------- ### Malta -------------- * Government policy document calls for special agency to [certify blockchain platforms and verify crypto transactions](https://news.bitcoin.com/malta-give-peace-mind-crypto-companies/). -------------- ### Italy -------------- * Italy’s new crypto reporting and registration regulations [to go into effect over the next three months](https://ambcrypto.com/italy-brings-new-law-cryptocurrency/). ------------- ### Sweden -------------- * Swedish authorities [concerned over the rate at which cashless transactions are growing](https://www.pymnts.com/cash/2018/swedish-currency-cashless-payments-payment-methods/). ------------- ### The Netherlands -------------- * MP issues questions to the Finance Ministry, [raises concerns over Tether’s relationship with Dutch bank ING](https://www.legalgamblingandthelaw.com/news/dutch-mp-raises-questions-about-tethers-relationship-with-ing/). -------------- ### Belgium -------------- * Belgian financial regulator [publishes list of exchanges alleged to be fraudulent](https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2018/02/128731-belgian-financial-services-markets-authority-warns-fraud-cryptocurrency-trading-platforms-publishes-list-alleged-fraudulent-cryptocurrency-exchanges/). -------------- ### France -------------- * Regulator AMF declares that [crypto derivatives must be regulated and are prohibited from advertising](https://cointelegraph.com/news/french-watchdog-says-crypto-derivatives-must-be-regulated-cant-be-advertised-online). -------------- ### United Kingdom -------------- * UK Parliament committee to examine [impact of cryptocurrencies while regulations are considered](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-22/u-k-starts-cryptocurrency-inquiry-as-lawmakers-weigh-regulation). -------------- ### Spain -------------- * Party leaders [push blockchain-friendly legislation to encourage investment & innovation](https://btcmanager.com/a-political-party-in-spain-to-implement-laws-to-attract-blockchain-companies/). -------------- -------------- ![NORTH AMERICA.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQcKAWpvahnMikAiZZCw7DpR6wLWhWc7Vc1jBBPyLoSvK/NORTH%20AMERICA.png) -------------- ### Canada -------------- * Increased energy demand leads Hyrdo-Quebec to [consider raising rates for miners](https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/hydro-quebec-considers-special-rates-for-bitcoin-miners-as-demand-surges-1.3805319). -------------- ### United States -------------- * DOJ & SEC [charge BitFunder founder with fraud & operating unregistered securities exchange](https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-govt-indicts-founder-of-long-defunct-crypto-exchange-bitfunder). * White House Cybersecurity official on crypo regulation: [“I don’t think it’s close”](https://hacked.com/u-s-cryptocurrency-regulation-unlikely-materialize-near-future-), while Arizona congressman [acknowledges crypto is “very hard to regulate”](https://www.ccn.com/hard-regulate-cryptocurrency-says-us-lawmaker/). * New York lawmakers mulling [reforms to state’s BitLicense system](https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-crypto-ny-lawmaker-pledges-make-bitlicense-something-works/). * The first two of five crypto legislation bills [pass the Wyoming House of Representatives with unanimous support](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/314816/blockchain-legislation-comes-to-wyoming.html). * Georgia lawmakers introduce [bill to accept cryptocurrency for payment of state tax and licenses](https://bitsonline.com/georgia-lawmakers-cryptocurrency-tax/). -------------- ### Mexico -------------- * Bill to regulate crypto exchanges [expected to become law within weeks](https://news.bitcoin.com/sneak-peek-mexicos-regulations-crypto-exchanges/). -------------- -------------- ![SOUTH AMERICA.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcm2PBSHBfoE3c7vjSZR2aFRbBgd23JxkkFdQaHV4HSjG/SOUTH%20AMERICA.png) -------------- ### Venezuela -------------- * Venezuelan government officially [launches oil-backed Petro token in pre-sale](https://www.coindesk.com/venezuelas-petro-token-launches-pre-sale/). -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ![PONZI WATCH.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZNX7zxdxLW3Dbxe53u23YWDLohrE7GZT2wHehUdwmHuJ/PONZI%20WATCH.png) -------------- * Sixth lawsuit [filed against Bitconnect since closing its operation in January](https://gizmodo.com/suspected-crypto-ponzi-scheme-bitconnect-hit-with-yet-a-1823254330). -------------- ![BLACK HATS.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmc2v6L2R1ZgK3oBDbUuJw2DR49gw3SimDcwp5URC7ynF4/BLACK%20HATS.png) -------------- -------------- * Tesla’s cloud accounts hacked to [run crypto mining malware](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/02/tesla-cloud-resources-are-hacked-to-run-cryptocurrency-mining-malware/). * Microsoft Word’s online video feature [exploited by hackers to run mining software](https://www.legalgamblingandthelaw.com/news/how-hackers-abuse-microsoft-word-for-crypto-mining/). * Software glitch at crypto exchange Zaif briefly [allows sale of $20 trillion worth bitcoin for $0](https://realdaily.com/outrageous-20-trillion-crypto-heist-could-draw-tighter-regulation/). ---------------- ---------------- *Thoughts, comments, and corrections are always appreciated. Cheers!* -------------- --------- ## || @bubbleboy || -------- **Protect your crypto assets with a [Ledger Nano S](http://amzn.to/2F09GEX) or [Trezor](http://amzn.to/2EoGIBw)**. -------- -------- ![Steemit Bloggers](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYhhQejEA2pV2iAoMDotLaAuxdvXgichD6ddXkbFJGfKy/steemitbloggers.gif) [![Appreciator](https://steemitimages.com/DQmT23Akd2EGD5njf6BTmjpSKxkXeQVXLoRhzabCm7xwMuz/appreciator_small.png)](www.steemit.com/@appreciator) _{Animated Banner Created By @zord189}