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Okcoin Halts U.S. Dollar Deposits After Signature Bank Shutdown

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Okcoin, the U.S. affiliate of cryptocurrency exchange OKX, announced on March 13 that it had no exposure to defunct U.S. tech bank Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). However, Okcoin CEO Hong Fang stated that the platform’s U.S. dollar wire and ACH deposits had been “immediately paused” due to the regulatory intervention in Signature Bank, Okcoin’s primary partner for customer transactions in dollars.

On March 12, New York state regulators closed Signature Bank, a major financial institution for fiat-crypto on-ramping, citing a “systemic risk exception” in the wake of SVB’s collapse. In addition to suspending dollar deposits, Fang wrote that “over-the-counter services will be temporarily paused too,” including its quick buy and recurring buy functions. Okcoin also stated that the suspension extends to “crypto transactions by credit card” and “trading USD-crypto trading pairs.”

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Fang reassured users that “all corporate and all customer funds are safe” and that “USD withdrawal not affected. The processing pace will be subject to bank operation.” All crypto deposit and withdrawal functions remain intact, including those of U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins. Furthermore, the suspension appears limited to dollar deposits, as other fiat deposit methods, such as those made in euros, are unaffected.

Okcoin is working to find alternative channels and solutions in real-time, and the suspension is not expected to impact crypto transactions significantly. Fang emphasized the platform’s commitment to its users, stating, “If this weekend has told us anything, it’s the significance of the future that we are building. Our commitment to you hasn’t changed either.”

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The crypto-friendly Signature Bank was a key partner for many crypto firms, including Coinbase, Celsius, and Paxos, which have since disclosed that they held balances in the bank. U.S. federal regulators have stated that Signature Bank depositors will receive their balances in full post-shutdown.

The shutdown of Signature Bank has raised concerns in the crypto community about the risks associated with fiat-crypto on-ramping and the importance of selecting reliable banking partners. While Okcoin has assured its users that their funds are safe, the incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the crypto industry.



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Ethics of Web3 Discussed at Paris Blockchain Week

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Web3 technology is becoming increasingly pervasive in mainstream industries, raising important questions about the ethics needed to operate in the space. During the second day of Paris Blockchain Week 2023, a panel of professionals from the Web3 ecosystem took to the Venus de Milo stage to discuss the “Ethics of Web3.”

The panel was moderated by Moojan Ashghari, co-founder of Thousand Faces Web3 investment club. Ashghari opened the discussion by stating that the ethical framework or standard of technology will always lag behind the introduction of the technology. He emphasized that the biggest challenge of ethics is determining the right questions to ask in order to ensure that the technology does not harm us in the near or far future.

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The panelists unanimously agreed that innovation typically comes before any ethical standard is implemented. Margaux Frisque, co-founder of and legal adviser to the Women in Web3 Association, highlighted the upcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework in the European Union as an example of turning ethics into law to protect people and innovation.

Frisque explained that the MiCA framework was inspired by feedback from past operations and will soon oblige businesses to segregate the funds of their clients from other bank accounts. She praised this as an example of good behavior that has been turned into hard law to protect people and innovation.

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Paris Blockchain Week also hosted an entire panel discussion on the upcoming MiCA regulations, during which industry experts and regulators discussed the implications of European lawmakers’ proposals. While the proposal has faced several delays, it is set for a final vote in April 2023.

Loic Brotons, CEO of Galeon, echoed the sentiment that behavior influences ethics. He pointed out that “mixing innovation and ethics is a bit complicated” and that innovation typically comes first. He used the FTX scandal as an example, where the lack of verification led to problems. He stated that exchanges are now providing proof-of-reserves so that people can follow the money and verify their trust.

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In conclusion, the Ethics of Web3 panel at Paris Blockchain Week highlighted the importance of implementing ethical frameworks in the Web3 ecosystem to protect people and innovation. The MiCA framework in the European Union was cited as an example of turning ethics into law to achieve this goal. As the Web3 ecosystem continues to grow and evolve, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications of new technologies to ensure their responsible and sustainable use.



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UAE’s Central Bank Nears Launch of Digital Dirham

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The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) is taking significant steps towards the full launch of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) known as the digital dirham. As announced on March 23, the CBUAE has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based G42 Cloud and digital finance services provider R3 to be the infrastructure and technology providers for the CBDC implementation. This is a crucial milestone in the development of the digital dirham and is expected to address the challenges of domestic and cross-border payments, while also promoting financial inclusion and supporting the country’s goal of becoming a cashless society.

The first phase of the CBDC strategy involves the soft launch of “mBridge,” a platform that facilitates CBDC transactions for international trade. The CBUAE is also working on proof-of-concept projects for bilateral CBDC bridges with India, as well as domestic CBDC issuance for both wholesale and retail use. These initiatives are expected to be completed within the next 12 to 15 months, according to the CBUAE’s announcement.

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The digital dirham has been in development since 2019, with the CBUAE conducting extensive research and analysis to ensure the successful implementation of the CBDC. The CBUAE has also engaged with various stakeholders, including financial institutions, merchants, and other entities, to gather insights on the requirements and potential benefits of a CBDC.

The digital dirham is expected to bring numerous benefits to the UAE’s economy and financial system. One key advantage is the increased efficiency and speed of domestic and cross-border payments, which will enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. The digital dirham is also expected to boost financial inclusion by providing greater access to financial services for underserved populations, such as low-income individuals and small businesses.

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Moreover, the digital dirham is expected to reduce the cost and complexity of financial transactions, thereby promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE. The digital dirham’s transparency and security features will also help combat financial crime and money laundering, which are key priorities for the UAE’s government and financial regulators.

The CBUAE’s partnership with G42 Cloud and R3 is a significant step forward in the development of the digital dirham. G42 Cloud is a leading provider of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) services in the UAE, while R3 is a global blockchain software firm. The collaboration between the three entities is expected to leverage their respective expertise and technologies to ensure the successful implementation of the digital dirham.

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In conclusion, the UAE’s central bank is making significant progress towards the launch of its digital dirham CBDC. The implementation of the digital dirham is expected to bring numerous benefits to the UAE’s economy and financial system, including increased efficiency, financial inclusion, and innovation. The CBUAE’s partnership with G42 Cloud and R3 is expected to be a key driver of the digital dirham’s success, and the future looks promising for the UAE’s digital currency.



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Banking crisis could push cryptocurrency regulation into gray area

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The world has been facing a banking crisis that has caused a great deal of uncertainty and market anxiety. According to Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, this could lead to increased regulatory ambiguity in the cryptocurrency market. Allaire expressed his concerns in a Twitter thread on March 23, discussing the aftermath of the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and the general exposure of the financial system in the United States.

Allaire’s concerns are not unfounded, as the US banking system has faced several challenges in recent years, including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The collapse of SVB, a bank that primarily serves the technology sector, has only added to the worries about the stability of the financial system in the country.

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As a result of the ongoing banking crisis, investors and businesses are becoming increasingly interested in cryptocurrencies as an alternative to traditional banking. However, the lack of clear regulation in the cryptocurrency market can lead to further uncertainty and risk.

Allaire believes that the current market dynamics could push the cryptocurrency market into a gray area in terms of regulation, as governments and financial regulators struggle to keep up with the rapid growth of cryptocurrencies. This could potentially lead to greater regulatory ambiguity and more risk for investors and businesses.

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Circle is a cryptocurrency company that issues the USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin that is pegged to the US dollar. The company has been actively advocating for more regulatory clarity in the cryptocurrency market to help promote growth and adoption.

In conclusion, the ongoing global banking crisis could have a significant impact on the regulation of cryptocurrencies. The lack of clear regulatory guidelines could create more uncertainty and risk for investors and businesses, making it essential for governments and financial regulators to act quickly to provide clarity and stability to the market.



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