Crypto news roundup today. Want to know what’s going on in crypto today? The latest news on daily trends and events that affect Bitcoin price, blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, Web3 and crypto regulation.
Today’s crypto news: The Japanese financial services regulator requested Apple and Google take down unregistered crypto exchanges like Bybit and KuCoin from their app stores; three more U.S. states moved closer to establishing a Bitcoin reserve after the House in Utah passed a bill on the matter, which now heads to the state’s Senate; and Czech President Petr Pavel signed a landmark law around crypto.
Japan asks Apple and Google to remove unregistered crypto exchange apps
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) requested Apple and Google to suspend downloads of five unregulated cryptocurrency exchanges, reaffirming its regulatory stance toward cryptocurrency in the country.
Among the five crypto-asset exchanges (CEXs) that the FSA has attempted to block the downloads of are Bybit Fintech, which is based in Dubai, MEXC Global, which is based in Singapore, LBank Exchange, which is based in Seychelles, KuCoin and, also based in Singapore, Bitget.
Although the FSA’s request was issued the previous week, Apple pulled the apps from its App Store on Feb. 6 and Japanese users are unable to download them, Nikkei reported on Feb. 7.
But the regulator’s decision to block downloads to unregistered crypto exchanges is not necessarily a crackdown against retail cryptocurrency investing, according to industry experts.
Crypto news roundup today. Utah steps closer to being first US state with Bitcoin reserve
For the first US state to have a Bitcoin, Utah is cutting. BTC $97,923 reserve after the state’s House sent a Bitcoin reserve bill to the Senate on Feb. 6.
The bill known as HB 230 Blockchain and Digital Innovation Amendments was introduced by Utah Representative Jordan Teuscher on Jan. 21, and would allow the state’s treasurer to designate up to 5% of certain public funds for the purchase of “qualifying digital assets,” including BTC, high-cap crypto assets and stablecoins.
On Jan. 28, it advanced from the state’s House Economic Committee by an 8-1 vote and into the House floor. The bill will move next to the Senate, where it must pass by a majority vote before being sent to the governor to sign or veto.
The only bill outside of Texas at this stage is currently in neighbouring Arizona, where its Senate Finance Committee approved the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act (SB1025), now waiting to go for a vote in the House, on Jan. 27. It would allow for as much as 10% of the capital of a government entity or public fund to be invested in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. According to Bitcoin Reserve Monitor, 14 US states have presented bills that authorise their local treasuries to purchase crypto assets.
Czech president signs “landmark” crypto bill: CKMA
The president of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, has signed a “landmark” legislation regulating cryptocurrency into law, offering Czechia regulatory clarity on digital assets aligned with wider European Union laws.
The new law makes things easier for crypto taxation and adopts the European Union’s legislation in the sector known as Markets in Crypto-Assets, or MiCA, “in a way that encourages innovation and the development of the whole industry,” according to a translated blog post from the Czech Cryptocurrency Association, or CKMA.
CKMA was involved in drafting the legislation after many years of lobbying for it.
“The submitted proposals were unimaginable a few years ago, and now all the present lawmakers have agreed to them,” said František Vinopal, the CKMA’s chairman.