Legislators reconsider some legislation on cryptocurrency: Crypto Wrap

(Reuters)
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Updated 18 November 2021
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Legislators reconsider some legislation on cryptocurrency: Crypto Wrap

  • He explained that while banks should be able to issue stable-coins, not all stable-coin issuers need to be banks.

RIYADH: Congress must pass legislation to regulate cryptocurrencies before their rapid growth and popularity poses risks to investors and the financial system, the chairman of the Joint Economic Committee said.

Don Baer, who held a hearing Wednesday on “crypto demystification,” acknowledged that most lawmakers have a steep learning curve when it comes to digital assets, but said it was imperative that they provide guidance to regulators, Bloomberg reported.

Bayer added that he would be happy if the bill was passed sometime next year. “We are trying to get ahead of this,” Beyer said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Wednesday that stablecoins do not need to be regulated by the same rules as banks during a virtual conference organized by the Federal Reserve Board in Cleveland.

He explained that while banks should be able to issue stable-coins, not all stable-coin issuers need to be banks.

He also emphasized that the regulatory and supervisory framework for payment stablecoins should address the specific risks that these arrangements pose directly and fully.

"It does not necessarily mean imposing the full banking rulebook, which is geared in part toward lending activities, not payments," Waller said.

Crypto Services Partnership

Bitcoin services company NYDIG has forged a sponsorship deal with the two-time NBA champion basketball team Houston Rockets.

The deal will allow NYDIG to be the team’s official bitcoin service and bitcoin platform partner, which means the company will have exclusive access to many of the franchise spaces including social, digital and in-arena platforms.

The Houston Rockets will also work with NYDIG to expand knowledge and awareness about the cryptocurrency world and the uses of these new investment tools.

"Our organization has leaned on advancements in technology to remain on the cutting edge. Partnering with NYDIG allows us to leverage the growth of Bitcoin to provide creative rewards and payment options to our fanbase and associates," Houston Rockets President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr said.

Daily Trading

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency in trading internationally, traded lower on Thursday, falling by 4.58  percent to $59,285 at 4:51 pm Riyadh time.

Ether, the second most traded cryptocurrency, traded at $4,178, down by 1.27 percent, according to data from Coindesk.


Venture capital investment will boost Saudi Arabia’s regional leadership in 2025 for the 3rd consecutive year

Updated 7 sec ago
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Venture capital investment will boost Saudi Arabia’s regional leadership in 2025 for the 3rd consecutive year

RIYADH: The Saudi Venture Capital Co. has announced that venture capital in Saudi Arabia achieved two historic leaps in 2025, in terms of investment volume and number of deals.
 
The Kingdom also reinforced its leading position in the Middle East region for the third consecutive year in terms of venture capital volume, a clear impact of the Saudi Vision 2030.
 
SVC explained that the Kingdom achieved a record number of venture capital deals, with 254 deals, during 2025. It also recorded another historic figure in venture capital volume, reaching $1.66 billion during 2025, compared to no more than $60 million in 2018.
 
This contributed to a 25-fold increase in investment volume since SVC’s establishment and its emergence within the ecosystem, confirming its role as a market maker.
 
CEO and Board Member of SVC, Nabeel Koshak, said: “These figures represent a structural transformation in venture capital. What the Kingdom has witnessed today in the venture capital sector is a result of the unlimited support of the wise leadership for all sectors, which has been translated today into a well-thought-out economic transformation, in which private investment has moved to a more mature stage.”
 
He added: “These figures reflect the strength of the Saudi economy, the clarity of the vision, and the confidence of investors, and confirm that the venture capital system has become a fundamental pillar for economic growth and diversification.”
 
Koshak stated that the volume of investment has increased 25-fold since 2018, achieving record highs in both investment size and the number of deals. This reflects the maturity of the market in terms of the competitiveness of local and regional investment funds, the attractiveness of investing in the Kingdom for global investment funds, and the readiness of companies and the diversity of sectors.
 
The CEO pointed out that venture capital contributes to building companies capable of expansion, provides quality jobs, and transforms innovation into sustainable economic value, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.