Bitcoin’s Week of Geopolitical and Legislative Fireworks: From Hormuz Tolls to the CLARITY Act
Bitcoin had a week that underscored its growing relevance at the intersection of global geopolitics and US financial regulation. Reports emerged that Iran may begin accepting BTC payments from oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while in Washington, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly backed the long-stalled Digital Asset Market Clarity Act after months of opposition.
Iran War Shifts Focus to Brussels as EU Leaders Clash Over Energy Crisis and Trump Weighs Troop Deployment
A rapidly escalating Iran war is reshaping global priorities, pushing European leaders into crisis mode in Brussels while the United States weighs expanding its military footprint in the Middle East.
Iran’s Central Bank Acquired $507 Million in USDT to Combat Currency Crisis
The acquisition represents a major effort by the sanctioned nation to stabilize its collapsing currency and bypass international banking restrictions.
Iran Accepts Cryptocurrency as Payment for Advanced Weapons
The move represents a significant escalation in Iran's efforts to bypass Western sanctions through blockchain technology.
Crypto Market Forecast: Week of September 5th 2022
A curated weekly summary of forward-focused crypto news that matters. This week, Iran and Russia turn to crypto for cross-border payments, officials in Afghanistan shut down local cryptocurrency exchanges and Ethereum outperforms the market as a major update approaches.
Bitcoin and gold jump after Trump strikes Iran
World markets were rattled on Friday. Gold, oil, and Bitcoin surged after top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was struck by a U.S. drone at Iraq's Baghdad airport.
Iran and Québec embrace Bitcoin mining
In the latest stage of its transformation from hobbyist activity to professional industry, Bitcoin mining is being embraced by governments as a way to sidestep sanctions and bolster the local economy.
Leading peer-to-peer exchange LocalBitcoins stops servicing Iranian users
Peer-to-peer bitcoin exchanges have established themselves as one of the few viable trading platforms for bitcoin investors in less developed or emerging markets. In struggling economies, such as Venezuela, they can even serve as a lifeline for cash-strapped citizens. However, despite the peer-to-peer ethos of these platforms, they are not immune to the geopolitical levers of the state, as Iranian bitcoin users discovered last week.
Will 2018 be the year of national cryptocurrencies?
The concept of central bank issued cryptocurrencies is not new and we have never been closer to witnessing the actual creation of government-issued cryptocurrencies than in 2018. But while it may be easy enough for governments to create cryptocurrencies, how likely is it that they will succeed?
Iran’s First Bitcoin Exchange Launching
BTXCapital has announced the launch of Iran’s first Bitcoin exchange, a country historically sanctioned by western countries leading to fewer payment providers.
