Regulations

Story: Estonia Trying to Sustain Credibility of their Cryptocurrency Licensing Authority

By Dan Saada

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Estonia Tidying up Market

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Estonia has been discussed widely in the cryptocurrency space for having revoked nearly 500 crypto firm licenses.

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Very recently, the Estonian government have specified the restriction on the freedom of movement after crossing state borders.

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The Estonian government have been long working on proposing legislation to reduce money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related criminal activities.

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Sydney Ifergan, the crypto expert tweeted:  “A $200 Billion Money laundering Scandal alerted the Estonian Regulators and thus spelled disaster for 500+ crypto firm licenses.

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The Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit have stated that their current move is focused on cleaning the crypto industry. 

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Their focus they claim is not to cripple the sector, but to clear up the risks related to money laundering.

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The current move is fueled by Danske Bank, Denmark’s biggest lender, who has been accused of facilitating $223 billion of laundered money through a small Estonian branch.

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This has gained attention as it is considered the biggest money-laundering scandal of Europe therefore it has now left egg on the face of Estonian authorities.

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Until the ban, Estonia used to be haven for cryptocurrency companies.  They have been liberalizing cryptocurrencies since 2017 and they have licensed more than 1,400…

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The new permits for cryptocurrency companies will be issued after a period of 3 months for a cost of €3,300 ($3,715).

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Estonia has done this to avoid crypto firms misuse their credentials to commit fraud elsewhere.

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New regulations require that crypto entities who register in Estonia will need to incorporate in the country or open an Estonian branch of a foreign company.

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