Crypto
Crypto industry players see light at end of tunnel despite regulatory vacuum. Here’s why | Stock Market News
The Ministry of Finance recently made it clear in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that the government is not considering a law to regulate the transaction of cryptocurrencies.
“Currently, there is no proposal to bring legislation for regulating the sales and purchase of virtual digital assets in the country,” Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Finance, told the Lok Sabha via a written response.
It is interesting to note that this is not the first time that the government has been evasive about its commitment to establishing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently stated that there should be a global understanding on cryptocurrencies and merely rolling out regulations by one country was not going to make much headway into the space of regulations.
In November 2021, Sitharaman — in a reply to a question on bitcoin in Parliament — had said that the government has no proposal to recognise Bitcoin as a currency.
What industry players think?
However, crypto industry participants are not too pessimistic about Chaudhary’s statement, which was released at the behest of the Finance Ministry since they pin hopes on a discussion paper on digital currencies likely to be released next month.
“The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) secretary indicated just a few weeks ago that a discussion paper is likely to be released by September 2024. We remain optimistic and will look forward to this paper to better understand the potential next steps for the virtual and digital assets (VDA) sector in India,” says R Venkatesh, SVP and Head of Public Policy, CoinSwitch.
Likewise, Dilip Chenoy, Chairman of Bharat Web3 Association, also saw hope in the Department of Economic Affairs secretary’s recent comments about the upcoming discussion paper on VDA policy. “We look forward to studying the paper in detail when released for public consultation and offering our policy inputs. We applaud India’s leadership during the G20 Presidency last year in building consensus on crypto assets policy and adopting the G20 Roadmap on Crypto assets,” said Chenoy.
“We urge the government and regulators to take a lead in formulating a comprehensive regulatory regime for Web3/VDAs in India,” he added.
CoinDCX refused to comment on this development.
It is interesting to note that the finance ministers of G20 nations in October 2023 adopted the synthesis paper released by the IMF-Financial Stability Board (FSB) the previous month.
Crypto
Iran’s Cryptocurrency Toll System Emerges In The Strait Of Hormuz, Posing Economic Chalenges : Analysis | Crowdfund Insider
Iran has introduced mandatory cryptocurrency payments for commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis and blockchain intelligence company TRM Labs have both independently documented the latest scheme, which now represents the first known instance of a nation-state levying transit fees in crypto at a critical global maritime chokepoint.
As highlighted by Chainalysis and TRM Labs in detailed updates, the system, administered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), took effect in mid-March 2026.
Ship operators must contact an IRGC-linked intermediary, submit comprehensive details—including vessel ownership, flag state, cargo manifests, crew lists, and destination ports—and undergo screening.
Unsurprisingly and as expected, vessels tied to the United States or Israel are barred from passage entirely.
Approved ships negotiate fees based on a five-tier “friendliness” scale, pay in Chinese yuan (via Kunlun Bank’s CIPS system) or cryptocurrency, and receive a VHF-broadcast passcode along with an escorted route through the northern corridor near Larak Island.
Tolls typically range from $0.50 to $1 per barrel of crude oil, with fully loaded very large crude carriers (VLCCs) facing bills of up to $2 million.
Iran’s parliament formalized the arrangement on March 30–31, 2026, through the “Strait of Hormuz Management Plan,” explicitly authorizing payments in rials, yuan, or “digital currencies.”
A dedicated crypto-conversion window on Qeshm Island now handles incoming funds, converting them into local currency or foreign accounts.
Although a rather weak, tentative Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 7, 2026, reports indicate the toll regime remains operational.
Analysts highlight the IRGC’s dominant role in Iran’s crypto economy.
The Guard controlled roughly half of the country’s on-chain activity in late 2025, with associated addresses receiving more than $2 billion in 2024 and surpassing $3 billion in 2025—conservative estimates drawn from sanctions designations and seizure records.
While Iranian officials have publicly referenced Bitcoin, industry observers believe stablecoins such as USDT are preferred for their price stability and liquidity, aligning with the IRGC’s long-standing sanctions-evasion strategy.
The economic stakes are enormous. Roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas transits the Strait.
TRM Labs now estimates daily revenue from oil tankers alone could reach $20 million, scaling to $600–800 million monthly when LNG carriers are included.
Iranian sources reportedly project annual collections as high as $120 billion at full capacity.
The initiative extends Iran’s established use of crypto for oil sales, weapons procurement, and proxy financing.
By bypassing traditional banking rails, Tehran potentially reduces exposure to U.S. sanctions enforcement.
However, blockchain transparency offers regulators and stablecoin issuers tools to monitor flows and impose targeted freezes once wallet addresses are identified. But this is only the case with private, permissioned chains and certain stablecoins like USDC or USDT. Other coins may not be frozen so easily if at all.
Shipping companies now face heightened compliance risks, including potential penalties for unlicensed dealings with sanctioned entities. But just how exactly this can continue to be enforced remains unclear due to rapid advancements in digital technology.
This crypto toll “booth” sets a precedent that could inspire other sanctioned states to monetize strategic waterways. And this trend is likely to continue, potentially putting an end to US-led hegemony.
As the IRGC embeds digital currency infrastructure into sovereign revenue streams, the development indicates that nation states may no longer be crippled by international sanctions. Perhaps in the future, it will become very challenging if not impossible to restrict economic transactions between different countries to the rise of permissionless cryptocurrencies.
Kraken Valued at $13 Billion After Deutsche Börse Stake
Deutsche Börse has taken a minority stake in crypto exchange Kraken, marking one of the clearest signs yet of Europe’s largest market operator deepening its exposure to digital assets.
The German exchange group said it invested $200 million in Payward, Kraken’s parent company, securing roughly a 1.5% fully diluted ownership. The transaction values Kraken at about $13.3 billion, according to reporting by Bloomberg.
The move builds on an existing relationship between the two firms and signals a broader push to integrate traditional financial infrastructure with crypto markets. The partnership is expected to focus on regulated offerings, including tokenized assets and derivatives, while improving liquidity for institutional clients.
As part of the collaboration, Kraken will integrate with 360T, Deutsche Börse’s foreign exchange trading platform. The connection is designed to provide Kraken users with access to bank-grade foreign exchange liquidity, potentially streamlining the conversion between fiat currencies and digital assets.
The companies also plan to expand the use of Kraken Embed, a service that allows institutions to offer crypto trading and custody under their own brands. The initiative targets banks, fintech firms, and asset managers seeking to enter the digital asset space without building infrastructure from scratch.
Further developments are expected, subject to regulatory approval. These include enabling trading of derivatives listed on Eurex, Deutsche Börse’s derivatives exchange, through Kraken’s platform.
The investment underscores a growing convergence between established financial institutions and the crypto sector. For Kraken, the backing from Deutsche Börse provides capital and strategic alignment with one of Europe’s most influential financial market operators. For Deutsche Börse, the stake offers a direct foothold in a global crypto platform at a time when competition for digital asset infrastructure is intensifying.
The deal also reflects a broader trend of legacy financial firms moving beyond exploratory partnerships toward equity investments in crypto companies. By combining trading, custody, and tokenization capabilities, both firms are positioning themselves to capture a larger share of institutional flows into digital assets.
Milwaukee flooding traps drivers and leaves thousands without power
Atlanta daycare owner faces $400,000 loss as fire investigation stalls and insurance claim delayed
Minneapolis man dies after neighbor assaulted him
New board overseeing IPS and Indianapolis charter schools begins work on November referendum question
Penguins fall 7-5 to Blues in regular season finale
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Dem fundraising giant in the hot seat as GOP lawmakers demand answers over dodged subpoena
Fifth woman accuses former US lawmaker Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct
Commercial Ships Transit Strait of Hormuz as U.S. Blockades Iran’s Ports
Video: How Stephen Miller Is Adjusting Trump’s Immigration Agenda
Biden DOJ weaponized FACE Act against pro-life Americans, 882-report alleges
-
Georgia1 week agoGeorgia House Special Runoff Election 2026 Live Results
-
Ohio16 hours ago‘Little Rascals’ star Bug Hall arrested in Ohio
-
Arkansas5 days agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Pennsylvania1 week agoParents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Pennsylvania zoo
-
Milwaukee, WI1 week agoPotawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in rooftop HVAC system
-
World1 week agoZelenskyy warns US-Iran war could divert critical aid from Ukraine
-
Austin, TX1 week agoABC Kite Fest Returns to Austin for Annual Celebration – Austin Today
-
Culture1 week agoCan You Name These Novels Based on Their Characters?