Policy & Regulation
Aug 28, 2024
RBI Proposes Plug-And-Play System For Cross-Border Payments
According to Cointelegraph, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed the development of a plug-and-play system to enhance interoperability in cross-border payments. This initiative aims to leverage the advancements in fast payment systems and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to improve efficiency in international transactions.RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasized the importance of interoperability as a key design element for achieving maximum efficiency in cross-border payment systems. He acknowledged that while countries may prefer to design their systems based on domestic considerations, a plug-and-play approach could help maintain sovereignty while ensuring replicability.India has already made strides in this direction and is working towards developing such a system for the benefit of the global community. Das highlighted the need for traditional payment systems and CBDCs to be interoperable, not just within their own categories but also with each other. He noted that technical barriers could be addressed through common international standards, but the governance structure for long-term sustainability remains a challenge.Das pointed out that while wholesale markets have seen significant efficiency improvements, retail cross-border transactions still face multiple layers that add to costs and delays. He stressed the importance of ongoing initiatives and experiments in bilateral and multilateral arrangements to bring efficiency to cross-border payments, a recurring agenda for the G20 and international standard-setting bodies.India, which assumed the G20 Presidency in December 2022, has digital asset regulation as one of its key agendas. The Department of Economic Affairs is preparing a consultation paper on cryptocurrency legislation, expected to be released in September or October.
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Aug 26, 2024
SEC And Abra Reach Settlement Over Unregistered Lending Product
According to Cointelegraph, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that cryptocurrency platform Abra has agreed to a settlement over allegations that the firm did not register the offers and sales of its lending product.In an August 26 notice, the regulator stated that Abra, “without admitting or denying the SEC’s allegations,” has agreed to pay civil penalties to be determined by a court and an injunction prohibiting the firm from violating securities laws. The SEC filed charges against the lending platform for failing to register the offers and sales of Abra Earn and operating as an unregistered investment company.The SEC alleged that Abra marketed its Earn service as a way for investors to earn interest “auto-magically” but instead generated income for itself. The platform began offering Abra Earn to US investors in July 2020, facilitating roughly $600 million in assets globally at its peak.“Abra allegedly sold its own securities while skirting applicable Investment Company Act provisions that provide a number of important protections to investors, including minimizing conflicts of interest,” said SEC enforcement associate director Stacy Bogert. “This matter reflects yet again, that in conducting enforcement investigations, we are governed by economic realities, not cosmetic labels.”This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.
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