CBDC

Michigan is joining the growing number of U.S. states shaping their own approach to cryptocurrency. On Wednesday evening, lawmakers introduced four new bills that address everything from institutional crypto investments to mining incentives and state-level resistance to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

💼 Bitcoin in State Pension Funds?
House Bill HB 4510, introduced by Republican Bill Schuette, would allow Michigan’s state treasurer to invest pension funds in cryptocurrencies — specifically those with a 12-month average market cap above $250 billion, held through regulated exchange-traded products.
👉 In practice, this measure effectively targets Bitcoin, which recently hit new all-time highs and continues to attract institutional attention.

🛑 Michigan Pushes Back Against CBDCs
A second bill, HB 4511, sponsored by Republican Bryan Posthumus, aims to prevent the implementation or promotion of any central bank digital currency (CBDC) within the state.
The bill explicitly bans state departments or agencies from testing, adopting, or supporting any form of digital dollar.

⛏️ Bitcoin Mining as Environmental Rehabilitation?
Democrat Mike McFall introduced HB 4512 and HB 4513, two companion bills linking Bitcoin mining with ecological restoration.
🔹 One bill launches a “Bitcoin Program” that would allow private companies to repurpose abandoned oil and gas wells for crypto mining using leftover fuel — in exchange for cleanup responsibilities.

🔹 The other offers tax deductions for individuals and businesses that generate income through such mining activities.
The program would be administered by a state drilling inspector, who would maintain a public registry of eligible sites, run annual bids, and enforce reclamation requirements.

📍 More States Are Getting Serious About Crypto
Michigan's legislative push is part of a broader wave of crypto-related efforts at the state level:
🔹 In Texas, lawmakers recently passed a bill to create a state-run Bitcoin reserve, enabling investments in any digital asset with a market cap over $500 billion.

🔹 Earlier this month, New Hampshire became the first U.S. state to formally allow public funds to be invested in crypto and precious metals.

📌 What Does It Mean?
As federal regulators continue to debate crypto policy, states like Michigan are stepping up with their own agendas. By combining Bitcoin investments, opposition to CBDCs, and green-friendly mining initiatives, Michigan is setting a potential example for regional crypto governance — one that other states may soon follow.

#CryptoNewss , #Cryptolaw , #CBDC , #CryptoMining , #BTC

Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!
Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

The European Central Bank suggests that Italy’s national postal service – Poste Italiane – could play a key role in the rollout of the digital euro. With millions of customers and a vast infrastructure, the postal giant may help bring the new currency directly to everyday citizens.
According to Pier Cipollone, a member of the ECB’s executive board, the digital euro is quickly becoming a reality. And when the time comes to launch it, the biggest challenge will be the so-called "last mile" – getting digital money into people’s hands.
Speaking at an online event organized by ASviS, Cipollone said Poste Italiane is in a prime position for the job. The company already provides banking services and reaches millions of Italians across the country.
“Poste Italiane has millions of clients and can easily provide access to the digital euro,” Cipollone said.

📬 Postal Service as a Bridge to Digital Currency?
While most people still think of post offices as places for delivering letters and packages, Poste Italiane has evolved. It offers bank accounts, payment services, and insurance. So its involvement in the digital euro rollout isn’t far-fetched — in fact, it makes sense.
The ECB emphasizes that the digital euro isn’t science fiction — it’s a response to changing consumer behavior. Cash usage is steadily declining, while digital payments through cards and apps continue to rise.

🪙 Not the End of Cash – Just Its Digital Upgrade
Cipollone stressed that the digital euro won’t replace cash, but complement it — especially in a world where digital payments are increasingly controlled by private companies. The ECB wants to offer a state-backed alternative, giving people a secure and sovereign digital payment option.
“In the digital age, cash alone is not enough,” Cipollone noted.

🗓️ First Digital Euro Transactions by 2028?
If everything goes smoothly — including the political side — the first digital euro transactions could take place by mid-2028, according to Cipollone.
The digital euro aims to preserve Europe’s monetary sovereignty, offer a fast, secure, and universal payment solution, and reduce reliance on foreign platforms and private fintechs.

💬 Will the postal service be the one to bring the digital euro to everyday citizens? And can Europe maintain control over its digital money future?

#digitaleuro , #ECB , #CBDC , #digitalpayments , #worldnews

Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!
Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Russia is preparing to take a tough stance against using cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. Under new legislation proposed by financial authorities, individuals and businesses could face fines of up to 1 million rubles — and also lose the crypto they used.
The bill aims to reinforce the ruble as the only legal currency in the country. Any attempt to replace it with Bitcoin or other digital assets will be treated as an administrative offense and punished accordingly.

💰 Thousands in Fines – and Crypto Confiscated
According to the draft law, co-authored by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) and the Ministry of Finance, individuals using crypto for payments will face fines ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles, while companies could be fined up to 1 million rubles (around $12,000).
CBR’s legal director Andrey Medvedev confirmed the penalties will be integrated into the national code of administrative offenses. But the most painful part, he emphasized, will be the confiscation of any cryptocurrency used in a transaction.
“Seizing illegally used digital currencies will be the most painful consequence,” Medvedev said at a legal forum in St. Petersburg.

⚖️ Crypto Recognized as Property for Seizure
The Russian government previously approved legal changes allowing the confiscation of cryptocurrencies as property in criminal proceedings. These amendments are now moving to parliamentary review in the State Duma.
The CBR maintains a strict stance: crypto is not permitted as a means of payment within Russia. Officials refer to the "Law on Digital Financial Assets," which explicitly restricts such use.

🌍 Crypto Only for Foreign Trade?
Interestingly, the government is exploring crypto’s use in cross-border trade. Under pressure from Western sanctions, Russia is searching for alternatives to traditional bank transfers. In March, the central bank proposed an “experimental legal regime” (ELR) to allow selected firms and accredited investors to use crypto in international transactions.
“No crypto for domestic payments — but maybe for foreign trade,” best summarizes the CBR’s position.

CBR Governor Elvira Nabiullina also noted the bank is open to allowing crypto investments by a limited number of qualified market participants — but regular crypto payments between citizens will remain strictly prohibited.

💬 Is Russia strengthening the ruble — or simply trying to control what it can no longer ignore?

#CryptoBan , #russia , #CryptoPayments , #Regulation , #CBDC

Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!
Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

As Russia tightens its grip on digital assets, upcoming regulatory changes are raising red flags for stablecoins like Tether (USDT). The new rules, introduced by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR), aim to restrict foreign digital assets from entering the Russian market—especially those that could be frozen or censored by foreign issuers.
According to Russian authorities, foreign digital rights (FDRs)—tokens issued outside of Russia—must meet strict compliance standards to be legally traded in the country starting May 26.

New Crypto Rules Could Freeze Out Tether
The CBR has made it clear: FDRs must not be tied to securities from “unfriendly” nations and must not offer any pathway to cryptocurrencies currently banned in Russia. More importantly, the CBR emphasized that:
“Issuance terms must not imply any possibility of asset blocking by the issuer, payment agent, or controlling entity.”

That clause, experts say, directly targets Tether, the world’s most-used stablecoin.

Tether's Growing Role in Russia Draws Attention
Since 2022, the Russian digital asset market has ballooned to $10 billion in estimated value, fueled largely by cross-border use of USDT. According to Kristina Aleshina of the CBR, over 800 billion rubles ($9.9 billion) have already been raised via tokenized digital financial assets (DFAs) in Russia.
However, under the new rules, Tether’s ability to freeze user funds and enforce sanctions compliance may disqualify it from being recognized as a legal asset in Russia. This is particularly relevant after Tether froze 2.5 billion rubles worth of assets held in wallets on Garantex, a Russian crypto exchange sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.

Analysts: Crackdown Will Push Users to Decentralized Alternatives
Legal experts warn that the CBR’s push to restrict FDR access to "qualified investors" is another step toward tightening crypto controls. But some argue the bank is powerless to fully stop peer-to-peer transactions or the use of decentralized stablecoins like DAI.
“If the pressure increases, users will simply migrate to decentralized options,” said Ignat Likhunov, founder of crypto law firm Cartesius.

Tether’s centralization remains a sticking point. Users must comply with KYC verification under U.S.-aligned sanction rules. Failure to verify can result in frozen funds, and Tether Limited can block tokens at its own discretion, Likhunov added.

Russia Eyes Its Own Stablecoin Amid Global Tensions
Russia’s dependency on Tether for over 80% of cross-border payments puts the country in a bind. While the government wants tighter control, the market still relies heavily on USDT. Some officials are now considering a Russian-issued stablecoin, pegged to an alternative fiat currency, to reduce reliance on Western financial infrastructure.
With sanctions tightening and digital finance evolving, the clash between state regulation and decentralized assets is becoming a key battlefield for Russia’s crypto future.

#Stablecoins , #Tether , #cryptoregulation , #CBDC , #CryptoCommunity
Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!
Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“