“The United States Senate Committee on Armed Services has taken a significant step towards integrating advanced technology into national defense. As part of the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) report, the committee has directed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to investigate potential applications of blockchain technology within the military. This directive, issued on July 9, focuses particularly on enhancing supply chain management and strengthening national security.”

“Secretary Austin is required to provide a briefing by April 1, 2025, outlining plans for blockchain integration in national security applications. The briefing must address pilot programs, benefits and risks, current adoption in industry and by foreign countries, and implementation feasibility.”

“This move coincides with growing political interest in cryptocurrencies. The Republican National Committee recently included support for Bitcoin mining and digital asset self-custody in its draft policy platform. This development signifies increasing recognition of blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies in U.S. government and military planning, potentially shaping future national security strategies.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  CoinGape

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MICA REGULATIONS GAIN TRACTION IN ITALY

“The Bank of Italy is preparing to implement the European Union’s (EU) Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. Notably, this significant move aims to preserve the smooth functioning of the payment system, according to recent reports. Besides, the upcoming guidelines by the bank will clarify how the new rules will apply, signaling a transformative phase for Italy’s crypto market.”

“Besides, this strategic move by the Bank of Italy underscores its commitment to integrating crypto assets into the traditional financial system. By implementing MiCA, Italy aims to create a regulated and secure environment for crypto transactions. The guidelines will provide clarity and direction for market participants, fostering confidence in the evolving digital asset landscape.”

WHERE DOES THE US STAND WITH CRYPTO REGULATION? There seems to be a lagging behind in the United States compared to the rest of the world.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Coin Gape

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STABLECOINS GAINING ACCEPTANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

“Gaming-centric sidechain Ronin announced Monday the launch of the first Philippine peso-pegged stablecoin on its network. ”
“Over 80 million Filipinos transact online using the Philippine Peso, but the financial infrastructure available is often slow and expensive. That’s why Coins.PH is launching PHPC on Ronin,” Ronin said.”

“PHPC’s launch comes as the Philippines prepares to introduce a crypto regime. The country’s Securities and Exchange Commission said in May that it would be ready by the second half of this year.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Daily Coin

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JANET YELLEN ADMITS TO DE-DOLLARIZATION

“When US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday testified before the House Financial Services Committee, she said that one of her concerns is how best to protect the international status of the US dollar as US financial sanctions have pushed more countries seek alternative financial transaction methods that do not involve the US dollar, VOA reported.”

“The remarks from Yellen have shed light on growing concerns regarding US dollar hegemony. Experts believe that the weaponization of the US dollar will reduce its dominance as the world moves toward local currency settlements and accelerate policies to facilitate de-dollarization. China and other countries are actively promoting local currency settlements and multilateral cooperation, offering more choices and possibilities for the global financial order.”

“For a long time, the US has abused its dollar hegemony, shifting domestic crises and harvesting global wealth by damaging the economic and financial stability and well-being of other countries. It is also used as a tool to impose financial sanctions, isolating other countries from the dollar payment system.”

“In June, Saudi Arabia joined a central bank digital currency initiative for international trade, which may set the stage for wider local currency payments for oil trade between China and Saudi Arabia and reduce the reliance on the US dollar.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Global Times

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WHOLESALE CBDC’s ARE GAINING GROUND IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE

“Last week China’s President Xi Jinping visited Kazakhstan.  The Chinese government reported that the country supports Kazakhstan becoming a member of BRICS and President Xi penned an article in a Kazak newspaper. The National Bank of Kazakhstan and the People’s Bank of China signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on digital currency”

“Last October China signed a similar agreement with the UAE and used the digital renminbi to settle a crude oil transaction later that month. The UAE is also a founding participant of mBridge the cross-border central bank digital currency (cross-border CBDC) project where China developed the technology. Additionally, the UAE was the first to execute a live transaction on mBridge, making a Dirham 50 million ($13.6m) payment to China in January.”

“The National Bank of Kazakhstan is not a participant in mBridge but is an observer on the project, alongside another 22 central banks. The country has been working on CBDC, with plans to go live next year. When it released a status report last year it said the initial focus was retail CBDC for consumer transactions with a clear path to production. However, it said it was researching wholesale CBDC and its use for interbank settlements and cross border payments.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Currency Insider

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WILL THE US HAVE A CBDC AND IF SO WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE?

Newshounds News has been reporting on CBDC’s and their implementation around the world but the United States has yet to introduce either a wholesale or retail version.

“A U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC) would be a tokenized and blockchain-based version of the U.S. dollar, maintained and issued by the Federal Reserve. This form of digital fiat money would be similar to cryptocurrencies in that a blockchain would be used, but a CBDC would be regulated by the Federal Reserve, recognized as legal tender, and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.”

“The United States doesn’t yet have a CBDC as of 2024, but it’s important to understand the concept with this option under discussion, as well as the benefits and risks attached and steps taken so far.”

“Fiat currency is a government-issued currency that’s not backed by a physical commodity such as gold or silver. It’s backed by the government that issues it. This type of money is the dominant means of making transactions in most countries. People use it to facilitate the exchange of goods and services in an economy. Generally, a country’s central bank issues fiat currency for the nation’s use. The Federal Reserve plays this role in the U.S.”

“A U.S. CBDC would serve as a complement to existing central bank reserve account balances and widely used fiat currency. As a bonus, it should provide a medium for executing instant and seamless cross-border transactions. ”

WHAT US CITIZENS ARE LOOKING FOR IS A CBDC THAT’S BACKED BY GOLD AND NOT THE FIAT DOLLAR.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Investopedia

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JANET YELLEN SAYS TREASURY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ‘QUARTERBACKING’ BETWEEN SEC, CFTC OVER CRYPTO RULES

“Yellen also responded to questions about concentrated risk and Russia potentially bypassing US sanctions via crypto and stablecoins.”

“US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said the Treasury is not responsible for ‘quarterbacking’ between the CFTC and the SEC regarding their opposing positions toward crypto regulation.”

“Yellen made the statement during a July 9 hearing before the House Financial Services Committee.”

Opposing positions
“House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill said that the SEC and CFTC have taken opposing legal positions in federal court on crypto and asked if the Treasury’s Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) is working to unite the two regulators.”

“Hill said the council is “supposed to quarterback for financial risk.” However, Yellen disagreed, stating:

“It’s not the job of the Financial Stability Oversight Council to adjudicate.”

She noted that the Treasury had published a report on crypto risks, partly addressing risks arising from a lack of agreement between regulators.

“Earlier in her testimony, Yellen told Hill she remains committed to achieving a regulatory framework for digital assets and hopes the efforts “reach a good conclusion.””

Concentrated risk, Russian stablecoins
“Yellen also responded to other questions related to crypto. Congressman Mike Flood asked Yellen whether decentralized trading protocols require a different approach to regulation from centralized services.”

Yellen answered that the SEC and CFTC are looking at the issue and added that some matters “may fall under the regulatory umbrella of the banking agencies as well.”

“Flood also questioned whether SEC rulemaking could reduce custodial options for crypto. He asked Yellen if a limited number of approved custodians available to registered investment advisors (RIAs) for Bitcoin ETFs would introduce concentrated risk.”

“The Treasury secretary responded that the trend could pose a “potential” risk but declined to answer with certainty without more details.”

“Congressman Brad Sherman commented on the Russian central bank’s plans to bypass Western sanctions with crypto. Yellen said that the Treasury is “very attentive” to the use of crypto and stablecoins but does not believe that Russia’s activities are substantial.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Crypto Slate