Bitcoin captured global curiosity when its’ value skyrocketed in 2017. Yet, financial institutions have been slow to add operational value to the crypto market. The common denominator among places where governments and banks have restrained digital markets is the lack of transparency and control they have in exchanges. Many research initiatives launched by global fintech leaders remain in developmental stages, while government officials and financial actors grapple with the learning curve of the new technology. The two biggest crypto concerns of global banks are debt liability from customers who have no protection from market volatility; and security risks associated with …

Thailand’s awaited tax framework for cryptocurrencies has been announced this week by the Thai Finance Minister, local news outlet Nikkei Asian Review reported Friday, March 30. Apisak Tantivorawong reported during a March 27 cabinet meeting that crypto trades will be taxed with a 7 percent value added tax (VAT), and returns taxed with a 15 percent capital gains tax. The first draft of the digital asset regulations, released March 14, showed that the expected tax ceiling for the digital gains crypto tax in Thailand was 15 percent. The previous uncertainty in Thailand surrounding crypto regulations, particularly in regards to Initial …

Singapore's deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam provided new commentary on the government’s commitment “not to ban” cryptocurrency as part of its future regulatory plans. In a series of fourteen statements published Monday, Feb. 5 in response to questions posed by members of parliament Tuesday, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, deputy prime minister and minister in charge of regulatory body the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), confirmed a broadly hands-off policy regarding cryptocurrencies going forward. “...(MAS) has been closely studying these developments and the potential risks they pose. As of now, there is no strong case to ban cryptocurrency trading here,” the deputy PM …

Call Levels, a Singaporean startup providing real-time financial monitoring and notification service on the mobile cloud, has added bitcoin prices from itBit following "overwhelming request from users." "We’ve had numerous requests from people who are still holding on to bitcoins," Cynthia Siantar, co-founder of Call Levels, said. "The moment they saw Call Levels' offering for its existing users who typically trade stocks, forex or futures, they wanted the same for bitcoin." Call Levels, which refers to an industry term that means "call me when the price hits a certain price," currently covers more than 5,000 assets, including US equities, Forex …

The major cryptocurrency event, Inside Bitcoin, will be held next year in Singapore on January 29-30, 2015. Event sponsors are encouraging people to reserve tickets early and are offering discounts to those who pre-register. Group rates are also being offered. The exhibition and show will be held at the Suntec Singapore Conference and Expo over a two day period and feature both conference sessions and exhibits. Organizers say that whether attendees are Bitcoin rookies or cryptocurrency experts, there will be something for them to see and learn. Speakers A number of the industry´s top thought leaders, including Steve Beauregard, CEO …

While much of the payments and financial world was in Las Vegas at Money20/20 last week, about 250 researchers, business people and policymakers met in Singapore to have a frank conversation about the Asian financial hub’s role in the cryptoeconomy. The Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics at Singapore Management University hosted the two-day conference on November 4 and 5 in cooperation with the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association in an effort to bring together diverse opinions and viewpoints on whether Singapore could become an epicenter for cryptocurrency businesses and innovation. The conference brought nearly two dozen panelists from …

Nearly 200 entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, private sector representatives and governmental officials were convened last week for the Crypto Valley Summit 2014 in the Isle of Man to share their points of views on numerous topics involving digital currencies and discuss the opportunities and challenges that is facing the industry. The two-day event took place on the island from September 17 to 18 and gathered leading industry entrepreneurs from all over the world including the Founders of GoCoin, Steve Beauregard and Brock Pierce, the CEO of Counting House, Paul Davis, the CEO of Instabil, Jason Field, and the CEO of BankToTheFuture, Simon …