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Portugal Begins Approving Cryptocurrency Exchanges

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Portugal now has two approved cryptocurrency exchanges. The country’s central bank, the Banco de Portugal, has licensed Mind the Coin and Criptoloja.

In Portugal, the central bank is responsible for registering entities that intend to act as virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The bank must also ensure that they are in compliance with the legal and regulatory provisions on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT).
Mind the Coin supports bitcoin, litecoin, and monero. “Buy bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies at our terminals or P2P online,” the company explained.
Criptoloja, located in the heart of Lisbon, claims to be “the first company, 100% Portuguese, to provide the service for the purchase and sale of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.”
The central bank clarified:
Banco de Portugal’s supervision regarding virtual assets service providers, as determined by Law No 83/2017 of 18 August 2017, is limited to AML/CFT purposes, and does not extend to other areas of a prudential, market conduct or any other nature.

Entities that must be registered are those providing exchange services, with or without involving fiat currencies.
In addition, entities providing crypto transfer services and “safekeeping and/or administration of virtual assets or instruments that enable the control, ownership, storage or transfer of such assets, including private encrypted keys,” must also register with the central bank.

Source credits: Bitcoin.com

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Brazil proposes to ban stablecoin withdrawals to self-custodial wallets

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Brazil’s Congress is reviewing a proposal to prohibit the withdrawal of stablecoins to self-custodial wallets, sparking significant debate within the cryptocurrency community. The draft legislation, introduced on Nov. 21, seeks to tighten oversight of digital asset transactions, citing concerns over money laundering and illicit activities. If passed, the measure could have far-reaching implications for the use and management of stablecoins in the country.

The proposed ban specifically targets stablecoins, which have become a popular medium for value transfer due to their price stability. Under the new rules, users would be restricted from moving stablecoins from regulated platforms to wallets they personally control. Lawmakers argue that such restrictions are necessary to ensure greater transparency and compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, a growing concern for financial authorities worldwide.

Critics, however, have expressed alarm over the potential infringement on individual financial sovereignty. Many within Brazil’s crypto ecosystem view self-custodial wallets as a cornerstone of decentralization and personal control over digital assets. Opponents of the proposal warn that such a ban could stifle innovation and push users toward unregulated platforms or peer-to-peer exchanges, undermining the intended goals of increased oversight.

The legislation comes as Brazil continues to embrace cryptocurrency adoption, with an estimated 16 million Brazilians owning digital assets. Despite its progressive stance on blockchain technologies, the government faces challenges balancing innovation with security. The stablecoin debate highlights the broader tension between regulatory measures and the principles of decentralization, setting the stage for a heated discussion in the months ahead.

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XRP returns to 3rd-largest crypto after 4-year battle with SEC

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XRP has reclaimed its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, driven by a surge in investor confidence despite ongoing legal disputes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The token’s market value soared following positive developments in its legal battle, with Ripple securing key victories that bolster its argument that XRP is not a security. As of Nov. 21, XRP trails only Bitcoin and Ethereum in the rankings.

The milestone reflects growing optimism among investors that Ripple may emerge victorious or reach a favorable settlement in its clash with the SEC. The case, which has significant implications for the broader cryptocurrency industry, centers on whether XRP qualifies as a security under U.S. law. Ripple executives have consistently denied these allegations, arguing that XRP functions as a digital currency similar to Bitcoin and Ethereum.

XRP’s resurgence also highlights increasing adoption of Ripple’s blockchain technology for cross-border payments and remittances. Financial institutions and payment providers continue to leverage RippleNet and its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) services, which utilize XRP to facilitate faster and cheaper international transactions. This utility has contributed to the token’s renewed momentum, drawing both institutional and retail interest.

The ongoing legal battle remains a focal point for the crypto industry, as its outcome could shape future regulatory approaches to digital assets in the United States. While uncertainty lingers, XRP’s rise underscores its resilience and the market’s appetite for assets with strong use cases. Ripple’s success in navigating this turbulent period may further solidify its role as a leader in blockchain-based financial solutions.

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Clipper DEX says recent $450K hack wasn’t caused by private key leak

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Clipper Decentralized Exchange (DEX) has addressed concerns surrounding a recent security breach, emphasizing that the incident was not the result of a private key leak. In a statement issued on Nov. 21, the platform clarified that the hack, which led to the loss of user funds, exploited a vulnerability in its smart contract architecture. The team assured users that it is working diligently to resolve the issue and enhance platform security.

The breach came to light after users reported unusual transactions depleting funds from their wallets. Initial speculation pointed to a potential compromise of Clipper’s private keys, raising alarm within the crypto community. However, Clipper’s investigation revealed that the attack targeted a flaw in a recently deployed contract, allowing the hacker to manipulate transactions. The platform has since paused its operations to prevent further exploitation.

Clipper DEX stated it is collaborating with blockchain security firms to audit its contracts and implement fixes to prevent similar incidents. Additionally, the platform is exploring mechanisms to reimburse affected users, though no specific timeline has been provided. The incident underscores the persistent risks faced by DeFi platforms, where rapid innovation can sometimes outpace security measures.

This hack highlights the importance of robust contract auditing and ongoing security enhancements in the decentralized finance ecosystem. As Clipper works to rebuild user trust, the event serves as a reminder for DeFi users to remain vigilant and diversify risk when engaging with emerging platforms. The broader community continues to call for heightened security standards across the sector to mitigate vulnerabilities and protect investor assets.

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