#cryptocurrency-regulation

#cryptocurrency-regulation

The Bank of Russia has set out a new framework to regulate cryptocurrencies, proposing tiered access that would allow everyday investors to buy digital assets alongside professional market participants, while maintaining tight controls on risk and usage. In a concept paper released Tuesday and submitted to the government for review, the central bank said both qualified and non-qualified investors would be permitted to acquire crypto assets, but under different rules, limits and testing requirements.

Cryptocurrencies will be regulated in a similar way to other financial products under legislation coming into force in 2027. The Treasury is drawing up rules that will require crypto companies to meet a set of standards overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Ministers have sought to overhaul the crypto market, which has ballooned in popularity as a way of investing money and making payments.

President Donald Trump has selected Michael Selig, chief counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission's crypto task force, to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Selig's nomination, first reported by Bloomberg, marks Trump's second attempt to fill the CFTC's top post, following the stalled nomination of Brian Quintenz, a16z crypto's global policy chief, amid opposition from Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss. Selig, who serves as an aide to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, has been instrumental in coordinating regulatory approaches between the SEC and CFTC on financial and crypto market oversight. The CFTC, which regulates futures, swaps, and prediction markets, is gaining greater prominence as Congress considers new crypto market structure legislation. Before joining the SEC, he was a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, specializing in asset management. Selig's appointment will require Senate confirmation.

Kenya has officially entered a new era for digital assets. President William Ruto signed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025, giving the country its first comprehensive crypto regulation framework. The new law licenses and regulates crypto exchanges, wallet providers, brokers, and payment processors operating in or from Kenya. It also brings the fast-growing sector under the oversight of two main regulators - the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).

Washington's tech landscape has been reshaped by a whirlwind of political change, regulatory reversals, and an AI gold rush. President Trump's takeover of the Federal Trade Commission is seeking to combat "tech censorship," while the Defense Department's $1.8 billion AI investment has contractors racing to capitalize on the government's artificial-intelligence ambitions-even as some industry giants face federal scrutiny. The AI industry has been busy lobbying Congress to set an innovation-first agenda, with lighter regulations versus restrictive oversight. But some company heads are calling for guardrails.

In fact, as noted by Barron's, 'As soon as Monday, the Senate plans to hold a key procedural vote on the so-called GENIUS Act,' which aims to regulate stablecoins.