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Thai SEC bans the use of customer crypto assets for lending and investment

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission has issued new rules for digital asset service providers focused on investor protection.

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Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission has issued new rules for digital asset service providers focused on investor protection.

The new guidelines require digital asset service providers to offer adequate warnings highlighting risks associated with cryptocurrency trading.

The warning message must be clearly visible, and before customers can use the service, the business operator must arrange for the users to give consent and acknowledge the risks.

Apart from a trading risks disclaimer, the new guidelines also prohibit service providers from using customers’ funds for lending or investment.

The Thai SEC has banned crypto lending services, thus prohibiting crypto platforms from offering any form of return on deposited crypto by customers. The SEC’s aim is to increase protection for investors from the risks of lending services. The new regulations are set to come into effect from July 31, 2023.

The discussion around new regulations for investor protection began on Sept. 1, 2022, when the SEC approved the need for security warnings by cryptocurrency business operators to disclose the risks of trading cryptocurrencies. The rules prohibiting digital asset business operators from providing services or supporting deposit-taking and lending services were discussed during meetings on Dec. 1, 2022 and May 11, 2023.

The new investor protection rules come after a massive crypto lending crisis during the 2022 bear market. Several crypto lending firms, which collected billions in customer deposits by promising hefty returns, went bust during the bear market. Leading lending firms, including Celsius and BlockFi, filed for bankruptcy, resulting in investor money getting stuck in bankruptcy proceedings.

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7-Eleven South Korea to accept CBDC payments in national pilot program

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7-Eleven is set to participate in the testing phase of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative, running from April to June. The retail giant’s involvement highlights the growing push for digital currency integration in everyday transactions.

The pilot program will assess the feasibility of CBDC payments at 7-Eleven stores, allowing customers to make purchases using the digital currency. The initiative is part of a broader effort to explore the real-world application of CBDCs in retail environments, potentially shaping future payment systems.

As central banks worldwide accelerate their digital currency research, private sector collaboration is seen as crucial for widespread adoption. If successful, 7-Eleven’s participation could pave the way for broader CBDC usage across retail and commercial sectors.

The outcome of the testing phase will provide valuable insights into consumer adoption, transaction efficiency, and potential regulatory considerations, influencing how CBDCs are integrated into mainstream financial systems.

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SEC and Gemini ask to pause lawsuit to explore ‘potential resolution’

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and crypto exchange Gemini have agreed to pause legal proceedings as both sides explore a potential resolution to their ongoing lawsuit. The move signals a possible settlement in the high-profile case, which centers around Gemini’s now-defunct Earn program.

The SEC initially sued Gemini, alleging that the Earn program—designed to offer users yield on crypto deposits—operated as an unregistered securities offering. Gemini has pushed back against the claims, arguing that its operations complied with regulatory standards.

By pausing litigation, both parties may be looking for a compromise that could set a precedent for crypto lending products in the U.S. A settlement could also provide regulatory clarity for similar platforms navigating SEC scrutiny.

While the outcome remains uncertain, the crypto industry is closely watching the case, as its resolution could impact future enforcement actions and the broader regulatory approach toward digital asset lending services.

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GameStop finishes $1.5B raise to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet

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GameStop has successfully completed a debt offering, raising capital that may be used to acquire Bitcoin, signaling the company’s deeper foray into digital assets. The move aligns with its broader strategy to diversify beyond traditional retail operations and into emerging financial technologies.

While GameStop has not confirmed the exact allocation of the funds, market speculation suggests that a portion could be used to buy Bitcoin, following in the footsteps of companies like MicroStrategy. The potential investment would reinforce GameStop’s ongoing pivot toward blockchain and digital assets, an effort that began with its NFT marketplace and crypto-related initiatives.

Analysts see this development as part of a growing trend of corporations exploring Bitcoin as a reserve asset amid concerns over inflation and monetary policy. If GameStop proceeds with the acquisition, it could further validate Bitcoin’s role as a strategic investment for publicly traded companies.

The company’s board will ultimately decide how the newly raised capital is deployed. Investors and the broader crypto market are watching closely for any official announcements regarding GameStop’s Bitcoin strategy.

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