The Dutch authorities are taking active steps to combat anonymous transactions with the cryptocurrency, meaning, in particular, to oblige the exchanges and wallet providers become licensed. About it reports local news Agency NOS.
As part of these efforts, the financial markets authority and the Dutch Bank (the Central Bank) sent to the Minister of Finance Wopke Hockstra recommendation to introduce a system of licensing for cryptocurrency companies.
As writes the edition, “the Minister immediately announced that it would follow this recommendation.”
It is also noted that in December of 2017, the Finance Minister of the Netherlands he made public calls to introduce licensing for trading platforms and wallets, but amid the bear market of consumer interest in the cryptocurrency fell slightly, making these steps less relevant.
However, even if the risks of speculation and declined, the government remains concerned that the cryptocurrency can be used to Finance terrorism and money laundering. In particular, the financial intelligence unit of the Netherlands reported the surge of unusual transactions – with about 300 to 5,000 a year.
According to the state, it is an obvious problem, and her solution is to become the 4th EU Directive, according to which the trading platforms that exchange Fiat to crypto-currencies should follow the same rules as other financial services.
Board member of Bitcoin Foundation Nederland Richard Kohl has said that this is a strong blow to the entire industry of the country.
“This is a dramatic decision for young innovative companies. We have long fought for a strong culture of innovation in the country, and this is a big step backward,” he said.
At the moment in the Netherlands there are about 30 companies after the adoption of the resolution will be forced to continue to apply for a license. Otherwise, all of them face administrative punishment.
Earlier, in January representatives of the European securities and markets authority (ESMA) said that some cryptocurrencies can be classified as financial instruments in accordance with the EU Directive “O markets in financial instruments” (MiFID). In particular, this category includes assets related to the possibility of profit, for example, in primary offerings of coins (ICO).
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