December was a monster news month that saw Russia get its first crypto ETF, Myanmar's opposition adopt Tether crypto as its official currency, the UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala confirm plans to dabble in crypto, the SEC hire a digital currency specialist and reject three crypto ETFs.

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Global

UNICEF launches NFTs on Ethereum to help connect schools to internet. More

IMF advocates for coordinated crypto policy among the world's governments. More

Europe

Europe's VCs pumped a record $2.2bn into cryptocurrency and DeFi startups in 2021. More

Binance CEO eyes EU market to grow his crypto exchange. More

Estonia

Estonia’s new AML laws set to clamp down on crypto industry. More

France

The world’s largest crypto exchange Binance is trying to woo France. More

French central bank completes first stage of its CBDC experiments. More

French, Swiss central banks conduct digital FX experiment. More

Germany

Bitpanda lists bitcoin exchange-traded note on Deutsche Boerse. More

Gibraltar

Gibraltar stock exchange receives purchase proposal by blockchain firm. More

TG raises questions over Govt’s blockchain plan for eGov platform. More

Netherlands

WisdomTree lists crypto ETP on Euronext. More

21Shares to list Europe’s first Polygon ETP in Paris, Amsterdam. More

Norway

Norwegian Block Exchange to become first Nordic crypto platform to list on Euronext. More

Russia

Sberbank launches the first blockchain-focused ETF in Russia. More

Bank of Russia to allow crypto investment via foreign firms: report. More

Russian central bank reportedly seeks ban on crypto investment. More

Bank of Russia to reportedly ban mutual funds from investing in Bitcoin. More

Russia’s largest bank struggles to register its digital asset platform. More

Sweden

21Shares listed bitcoin and ethereum ETNs on Nasdaq Stockholm. More

Switzerland

Bitcoin Capital and Ficas team up to launch crypto ETFs on Six. More

Swiss central bank ready to run with wCBDC in January. More

Switzerland’s largest online bank plans to launch crypto exchange next year. More

Turkey

Binance Turkey fined 8m lira for non-compliance against money laundering. More

Turkey’s crypto law is ready for parliament, President Erdoğan confirms. More

UK

UK advertising watchdog bans crypto ads for Coinbase and Kraken. More

Fidelity Digital Assets receives FCA approval for its UK crypto business. More

FTSE Russell reportedly plans to develop crypto index with over 40 digital assets. More

UK spy chief raises fears over China’s digital renminbi. More

Binance working to set up UK arm after FCA setback. More

UK think tank identifies NFT money laundering risks. More

Binance curbs UK trader access to risky crypto derivatives. More

Bank of England warns on crypto-currency risks. More

Ukraine

Ukraine's new crypto law could make it a trading hub. More

Americas

Argentina

Central Bank of Argentina scrutinises companies offering 'extraordinary returns' on cryptoasset investments. More

Brazil

Brazil stock exchange B3 plans to enter crypto market in 2022. More

Canada

Ontario securities regulator slams Binance after crypto exchange claims it can continue operating there. More

Binance held talks with Ontario Securities Commission, says restrictions on users remain. More

Crypto broker Voyager faces proposed class-action suit over trading fees. More

Fidelity launches spot bitcoin ETF in Canada. More

El Salvador

President Bukele predicts Bitcoin $100k rally, further legal adoption and more. More

El Salvador buys 21 Bitcoin to celebrate 21 Dec 2021. More

Mexico

Mexico confirms plans to roll out CBDCs in 2024. More

Paraguay

Paraguay senate greenlights bill to regulate Bitcoin trading and mining. More

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico lawmakers want to use blockchain to cut corruption. More

United States

Gensler taps Senate aide to advise on crypto oversight. More

Proshares bitcoin ETF is #3 as global assets of crypto ETFs surge 549%. More

ProShares seeks SEC approval to launch Metaverse ETF. More

Crypto firms spent $5m lobbying senate in first three quarters of 2021. More

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce says Washington doesn’t need a new crypto regulator. More

Criminal trial for BitMEX exec Greg Dwyer delayed to October. More

Senator Lummis to propose crypto overhaul bill next year. More

Trump calls crypto 'a very dangerous thing’. More

SEC rejects WisdomTree’s spot bitcoin ETF application. More

BinanceUS taps Intel's top compliance exec to serve as chief risk officer. More

SEC delays decision on Bitwise and Grayscale bitcoin ETFs. More

SEC rejects Valkyrie, Kryptoin bitcoin trusts. More

VanEck files to launch digital asset mining ETF. More

Crypto CEOs testify before lawmakers mulling greater regulation of market. More

Financial Stability Group warns of stablecoin, DeFi risks in annual report. More

AOC doesn't hold bitcoin to ‘remain impartial' on policy making. More

Bitwise launches world’s first NFT index fund. More

Valkyrie launches innovative balance sheet ETF. More

US Senate confirms Rostin Behnam as new CFTC chair. More

SEC obtains judgement against top BitConnect promoter Glenn Arcaro. More

Reelected Miami mayor to take 401k retirement savings partly in Bitcoin. More

FTX US is now a member of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA). More

CME Group introduces micro ether futures. More

FBI confiscated around $2.3m in crypto tied to ransomware gang REvil. More

First NFT-focused ETF lists on NYSE Arca. More

Caribbean

No updates this month.

Middle East & North Africa

Bahrain

Binance gets the green light from Canada and Bahrain. More

Iran

Iran halts authorised crypto mining to save energy for winter. More

Israel

Israel reportedly seized $840k in cryptocurrencies from a company linked to Hamas. More

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan becomes world’s second largest crypto miner after Chinese ban. More

Pakistan

Pakistanis have $20bn in crypto assets, says head of local association. More

UAE

UAE wealth fund Mubadala investing in crypto ecosystem. More

Binance in talks with Dubai, Abu Dhabi on headquarters plan. More

Binance signs agreement with Dubai authority to establish crypto hub. More

Dubai World Trade Centre to create new crypto hub and become regulator. More

South Asia

India

Half a dozen of India’s crypto exchanges searched after alleged rupee 700m tax evasion detected. More

Indian prime minister Modi's hacked Twitter account attempts BTC scam. More

RBI told board it wants blanket crypto ban, Economic Times says. More

Indian police commissioner issues a public warning against crypto frauds. More

India’s Modi calls for global crypto standard. More

India is said to consider capital markets regulator for crypto. More

Myanmar

Tether is now official currency for Myanmar’s anti-Junta groups. More

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Port City to allow crypto currency trading. More

East Asia & Pacific

Australia

Australia to regulate crypto in overhaul of payments industry. More

The search is on for $50m in lost cryptocurrency after two Australian exchanges collapse. More

Australia on track for a crypto boom by 2030, EY report says. More

China

Shanghai includes metaverse in its development plan. More

China’s biggest news agency Xinhua to launch NFT collection. More

Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities arrest two for allegedly laundering $385m via crypto. More

Indonesia

Binance in talks with Indonesian heavyweights for crypto venture. More

Japan

SBI Group launches crypto-asset fund for Japanese investors. More

Japan aims to reportedly force stablecoin issuers to register as banks. More

Singapore

Binance Singapore withdraws crypto license application. More

Singapore suspends crypto exchange Bitget over spat with K-pop group BTS. More

Binance Singapore arm acquires 18% stake in private stock exchange. More

South Korea

Korean crypto exchange ‎Coinone will no longer allow withdrawals to unverified external wallets. More

South Korea's presidential candidate announces NFT fundraise. More

CEO of Korea Exchange (KRX) says it’s time for South Korea to embrace cryptocurrencies. More

South Korean crypto VC Hashed confirms it is under investigation by the country's tax authority. More

South Korea delays plans to tax crypto to 2023. More

Thailand

Thailand’s Central Bank reschedules CBDC pilot project to late 2022. More

SET to launch digital asset exchange. More

China’s crypto crackdown sparks Thai crypto-mining boom. More

Africa

Nigeria

Nigerian minister calls for fair bitcoin regulation. More

South Africa

Investors in collapsed South African crypto platform reimbursed a portion of invested funds. More

Crypto regulations for South Africa are coming in 2022. More