Bitoasis, a leading virtual asset platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has received a full virtual asset service providers (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Securing the full VASP License marks the final step in VARA’s licensing process. This milestone allows Bitoasis to expand its services to retail, […]
Peru Issues VASP Regulation, Strengthens AML/TF Requirements
The Superintendence of Banking and Insurance (SBS) of Peru, has issued a resolution that forces VASPs to implement Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) measures as part of a compliance plan. The resolution is in line with FATF recommendations and seeks to control and avoid criminals to use these platforms for illicit purposes. […]
Three-Quarters of Jurisdictions Partially or Not Compliant with VASP Sector Recommendation, Says FATF
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 […]
Bybit Affiliate Withdraws Hong Kong VASP Application Months After Regulator Issued License Warning
The Singaporean crypto exchange Bybit’s affiliate Spark Fintech Limited, has abandoned its pursuit of an operating license in Hong Kong. The affiliate withdrew its virtual asset trading platform application on May 31, exactly four months after submitting it. The decision followed the Hong Kong regulator’s classification of Bybit as an unlicensed entity, accompanied by threats […]
Latam Insights: Chile to Keep Advancing CBDC Tests, Argentina Debuts VASP Registry
Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue: the Central Bank of Chile will keep experimenting with CBDC, Argentina’s VASPs will have to register to provide services in the country, and Argentines are warming up to bitcoin as an investment instrument. […]