21X Secures EU Approval for Tokenization Platform

December 5, 2024

Catenaa, Thursday, December 05, 2024 – German fintech firm 21X has become one of the first companies to gain regulatory approval to operate a blockchain-based trading and settlement platform under the European Union’s DLT Pilot Regime. The milestone was confirmed Tuesday following an announcement from Germany’s financial watchdog, BaFin.  The license enables 21X to establish […]

Belgium to Prioritize Blockchain as EU Council Leader in 2024

December 12, 2023

In a move to bolster the European Union’s (EU) blockchain infrastructure and foster innovation in the digital realm, Belgium has taken the initiative to revitalize the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) project. This initiative aligns with the country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which commences in early 2024. The EBSI project, launched […]

EU Adopts New Rules to Boost Crypto Tax Compliance

November 13, 2023

BRUSSELS, Oct. 30, 2023-The European Union (EU) has adopted new rules to boost crypto tax compliance, requiring crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) to disclose their customers’ transactions to tax authorities, a news report said. The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers can be seen here: The new rules, which are part of the EU’s Directive on Administrative Cooperation in […]

EU probes Tech Goliaths for antitrust violations

April 15, 2024

EU Launches Antitrust Probe into Meta, Google, Apple, and Amazon, Warning of Potential 10% Annual Turnover Fines Brussels, Monday, April 01, 2024-The European Commission announced On March 25 that it had launched antitrust investigations into Apple, Google, and Meta for potential violations of the bloc’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA, which took effect […]

EU Tightens Sanctions on Russia, Expands Crypto Rules

February 25, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, February 25, 2025- The European Union(EU) has adopted its 16th sanctions package against Russia, introducing stricter financial controls, trade restrictions, and expanded oversight on cryptocurrency transactions. The measures, announced on February 24, mark three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  The package includes sanctions against 83 additional individuals and entities, targeting organizations involved […]

European AI Regulation Debate Sparks Intense Expert Clashes

July 31, 2023

BRUSSELS, July 31, 2023 – The European Union’s proposed regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) is sparking debate, with some experts arguing that it is too restrictive and others saying that it is not strict enough. The proposed regulation, known as the AI Act, would classify AI systems according to their risk level and impose different […]

Europol Busts Drug Ring, Seizes $26M in Crypto

December 22, 2024

Catenaa, Sunday, December 22, 2024 – Europol announced a major success in combating international drug trafficking, revealing the seizure of $26.23 million in cryptocurrencies and the arrest of nine suspects linked to an underground financial network. Authorities from six countries collaborated to dismantle the operation, which used cryptocurrency to launder proceeds from large-scale cocaine trafficking […]

German Watchdog Demands Biometric Data Deletion

December 26, 2024

Catenaa, Thursday, December 26, 2024 – A key German privacy regulator has ordered the controversial World project, backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, to delete biometric data collected from scanning people’s eyeballs. The Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision, tasked with enforcing the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), announced the decision Thursday, citing […]

Kraken, Coinbase Secure EU, UK Approval for Crypto Expansion

February 4, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, February 04, 2025 – US-based cryptocurrency exchanges Kraken and Coinbase have received regulatory approvals, clearing the way for expanded operations in the European Union and the United Kingdom, respectively. Kraken obtained a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) license in the EU through its acquisition of a Cypriot investment firm regulated by the […]

Robinhood Crypto Now Expands to Spain

January 29, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, January 28, 2025 – The US-based firm Robinhood Crypto enabled its trading app accessibility in Spain last week. This will allow the customers to trade, stake, and invest in crypto directly on the Robinhood Crypto platform. The new milestone would pave the path to secure the firm a top place on the EU […]

Standard Chartered Gains EU Crypto Custody License

January 10, 2025

Catenaa, Friday, January 2025 – Banking giant Standard Chartered has received a license to offer cryptocurrency custody services in the European Union, establishing a new entity in Luxembourg as its regulatory gateway under the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation.  MiCA, which came into full effect on Dec. 30, provides a uniform regulatory framework for […]