Europe
EU MiCA Bill Progresses Without Bitcoin Mining Provision
The European Parliament's Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) bill has moved forward, omitting a controversial provision that targeted proof-of-work mining. “The Hash” team compares MiCA to a similar piece of legislation making headway in the state of New York and examines what the future of crypto oversight in Europe might look like.
India Passes Crypto Tax Law, EU Moves Forward With MiCA Bill
CoinDesk Managing Editor for Global Policy and Regulation Nikhilesh De discusses how India’s new crypto tax law, which will impose a 30% capital gains tax, could impact the country’s local Web 3 scene and possibly create a “brain drain.” Plus, a conversation about the EU’s MiCA bill and its implications for the European crypto industry.
EU Parliament Rejects Proposal Limiting Proof-of-Work Mining
The European Parliament has voted against a proposed rule that would have banned proof-of-work mining of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin across the European Union (EU). Patrick Hansen, head of Strategy and Business Development at Unstoppable Finance, discusses what this means for the state of crypto affairs in Europe and the world.
CrossTower CEO: Crypto’s Positive Impact in the Russia-Ukraine Crisis
Kapil Rathi, CrossTower Co-Founder & CEO, joins “First Mover” to examine the international markets’ response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Rathi explains how the increased movement of bitcoin into Eastern Europe is facilitating help to those impacted by the war, stating “crypto was meant for citizens.”
Is Bitcoin as Valuable as the Swiss Franc?
Luzius Meisser, president of crypto exchange Bitcoin Suisse, speaks on the state of inflation in Europe while comparing the market cap of bitcoin to that of the Swiss franc and gold. Plus, insights into Bitcoin Suisse Founder Niklas Nikolajsen planning to step down from his role as chairman, with Meisser taking his position.
French Fintech Lydia Taps Bitpanda to Let 5.5M Users Trade Crypto
Austrian crypto exchange Bitpanda, the country's first tech unicorn, has teamed with French mobile payments app Lydia to offer its 5.5 million users the ability to invest in over 170 crypto assets. Bitpanda Chief Product Officer Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad shares insights into the partnership, France's regulatory reception to crypto, and the state of DeFi in Europe.
Bank of Spain Opens Registry for Crypto Service Providers
The Bank of Spain has issued instructions on registering with the central bank to offer crypto-related services in the country. Head of Market Insights at Genesis Global Trading Noelle Acheson discusses the significance of the move, outlook for bitcoin following the launch of three U.S. bitcoin futures ETFs, and institutional interest in crypto. Plus, insights into the European markets.
Facebook Wants to Hire Up to 10K People in EU to Build 'Metaverse'
Facebook is looking to hire 10,000 people in Europe to build out a metaverse program, catered for everyone. "The Hash" hosts discuss the implications for Facebook getting into the metaverse, an area growing in interest from VCs, and what it could mean for Europe's tech industry during a time of increased scrutiny of the company by EU and U.K. regulators.
Peter Thiel-Backed Crypto Unicorn Bitpanda Triples Valuation to $4.1B
Vienna-based crypto exchange Bitpanda raised $263 million in a Series C funding round led by U.S. tech billionaire Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, valuing the company at $4.1 billion. It comes five months after a Series B raise that valued the firm at $1.2 billion and made Bitpanda Austria's first tech unicorn. CEO Eric Demuth discusses how his investment platform achieves rapid growth and differentiates from its competitors and crypto's state in Europe.
Changing Crypto Trading Patterns Reveal the Market’s Power Shift to the West
A recent blockchain analysis revealed that on Coinbase, Gemini and Kraken, exchanges that are more popular among users in the West, the average weekend bitcoin trading volume is growing relative to the average weekday volume, pointing to a dramatic shift in trading patterns this year from Asia to North America and Europe.
