Vietnam’s central bank is preparing additional interest rate cuts to stimulate economic growth, a monetary policy shift that could significantly accelerate cryptocurrency adoption in one of Asia’s fastest-growing digital asset markets. This expansionary approach coincides with the country’s formal recognition of digital assets through landmark legislation taking effect in 2026, creating a powerful convergence of monetary stimulus and regulatory clarity that positions Vietnam as an emerging crypto hub.
about Vietnam Rate Cuts to Boost Crypto as New Digital Asset Law NearsFinancial Action Task Force (FATF)
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Turkey Expands Financial Watchdog Powers to Target Crypto & Bank Accounts
Turkey is joining a global financial crackdown with new legislation that would significantly expand the powers of its financial crime watchdog Masak, enabling it to freeze both traditional bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets. The move, designed to combat money laundering, fraud, and illegal betting operations using rented accounts, positions Turkey alongside nations worldwide implementing aggressive financial surveillance measures in what amounts to a coordinated assault on financial privacy and autonomy.
about Turkey Expands Financial Watchdog Powers to Target Crypto & Bank AccountsTurkey to Let Masak Freeze Crypto Accounts in AML Push
Turkey is preparing landmark legislation that would empower its financial crime watchdog Masak to freeze cryptocurrency accounts as part of a comprehensive anti-money laundering push. This regulatory expansion, aligning with global Financial Action Task Force standards, represents a significant shift in Turkey’s approach to digital asset oversight and reflects growing concerns about crypto-related financial crime.
about Turkey to Let Masak Freeze Crypto Accounts in AML PushChainUp Wins Top Transaction Monitoring Award at ALB 2025
Singapore-based ChainUp has been named Transaction Monitoring Solution Provider of the Year at the prestigious Asian Legal Business (ALB) Pan-Asian Regulatory Awards 2025, presented by Thomson Reuters. This accolade, judged by an independent panel of senior legal and industry experts, arrives as global regulators intensify their scrutiny of the digital asset sector, signaling a pivotal industry shift where robust compliance technology is no longer optional but a fundamental requirement for legitimate operation and growth.
about ChainUp Wins Top Transaction Monitoring Award at ALB 2025Crypto Crosschain Compliance: AML Gaps & Regulatory Walls
The promise of a seamless, borderless crypto economy through crosschain transactions is being challenged by rising regulatory requirements. Anti-money laundering (AML) weaknesses in blockchain bridges are forcing DeFi protocols to balance innovation with compliance adoption. Key regulations such as Europe’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) and the FATF Travel Rule are now essential hurdles, influencing which projects attract institutional capital and global liquidity. This regulatory shift is creating a new landscape where compliance gatekeepers, rather than technological capability, may determine market leaders.
about Crypto Crosschain Compliance: AML Gaps & Regulatory WallsUkraine Could Recover $10B with Crypto Regulation
A Royal United Services Institute report reveals that Ukraine could recover approximately $10 billion in stolen funds and lost tax revenue by implementing comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations. The UK-based security think tank warns that Russia is exploiting regulatory gaps through over-the-counter crypto activities, money mule networks draining $24 million monthly, and Telegram-based drug trafficking operations targeting Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine must harmonize its virtual asset rules with EU standards by late 2025 and maintain FATF compliance to avoid becoming a permanent hub for Russian money laundering. While Ukraine adopted the Law on Virtual Assets in February 2022, it remains unimplemented pending separate taxation legislation, creating ongoing vulnerabilities during wartime.
about Ukraine Could Recover $10B with Crypto RegulationIOTA Mainnet Integrates Lukka for On-Chain Compliance
The IOTA Foundation has announced a partnership with Lukka to integrate real-time compliance infrastructure, including AML, KYC, and transaction monitoring, directly into the IOTA mainnet. This collaboration builds on Lukka’s earlier integration with IOTA’s EVM and aims to remove barriers for exchanges and institutional players by providing pre-built regulatory tools at the protocol level. Key features include FATF Travel Rule compliance and MiCA framework alignment, making IOTA more attractive for enterprise DeFi and real-world asset tokenization. Lukka’s credibility, backed by clients like JPMorgan and Coinbase, adds weight to the partnership. The integration is expected to facilitate exchange listings, institutional adoption, and scalable deployments, reinforcing IOTA’s readiness for global regulatory standards.
about IOTA Mainnet Integrates Lukka for On-Chain CompliancePakistan Launches PVARA to Regulate Crypto Sector
Pakistan has established the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) to regulate its cryptocurrency sector. The independent body will license, monitor, and supervise virtual asset service providers while ensuring alignment with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. The initiative, endorsed by the Ministry of Finance, reflects Pakistan’s ambition to not just catch up but lead in crypto regulation. Federal Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of proactive oversight in the digital asset space.
about Pakistan Launches PVARA to Regulate Crypto SectorUkraine Sanctions Russian Crypto Firms for War Funding
Ukraine has sanctioned 19 Russian crypto miners, 17 digital asset operators, and five exchanges, along with firms tied to Russia’s financial infrastructure, freezing their assets. Foreign entities in Cyprus, Kazakhstan, and the UAE were also blacklisted for aiding Russian sanctions evasion via crypto. President Zelenskyy described this as a ‘special sanctions package’ aimed at disrupting billions funneled to Russia’s military-industrial complex. The crackdown highlights growing concerns over Russia’s use of crypto to bypass global financial restrictions, with firms like LLC A7 (issuing a ruble-pegged stablecoin) and UAE-based Bitpapa implicated. Chainalysis reports $15.8 billion in crypto flowed to sanctioned jurisdictions in 2024, while FATF warns of crypto financing weapons programs. The sanctions coincide with escalating battlefield tensions, including Russian assaults in eastern Ukraine and Ukrainian strikes on Russian military infrastructure.
about Ukraine Sanctions Russian Crypto Firms for War FundingFATF Warns on Stablecoin Risks, Calls for Monitoring
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has issued a warning about increasing illicit transactions involving stablecoins, emphasizing the need for closer regulatory scrutiny to mitigate risks tied to mass adoption. However, blockchain intelligence firms like Chainalysis and Asset Reality suggest this is a call for better monitoring rather than an attempt to stifle the cryptocurrency industry. The watchdog’s alert highlights the importance of balancing innovation with security as stablecoins gain traction in global finance.
about FATF Warns on Stablecoin Risks, Calls for Monitoring