header-logo header-logo

Cyber law: cryptoassets

45611
With digital currencies continuing to strengthen their foothold in the financial landscape, calls are increasing for a global response to regulate their use. Celso De Azevedo & Marc Samuels of 36 Commercial explore the most recent regulatory developments on both sides of the Atlantic
  • As cryptoassets begin to occupy a central position in the financial markets, there have been increasing moves to strengthen their (currently limited) regulation in the UK and US, in order to protect consumers and prevent illegal activity.

Bitcoin’s bull run over the past year has seen its value reach a new peak of US$60,000 per Bitcoin in March 2021. In February 2021, the aggregate value of the 18.6 million Bitcoin tokens currently in circulation surpassed US$1trn, representing approximately half of the entire cryptocurrency market value of US$2trn. In parallel, the global market has seen other cryptocurrency prices rise alongside the share prices of many cryptocurrency-related businesses.

In the US, financial giants have started embracing cryptocurrency in novel ways: Mastercard is integrating Bitcoin

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll