• The Israel Securities Authority (ISA) has proposed draft amendments to regulate cryptocurrencies.
• The amendments are intended to protect citizens from the risks associated with crypto trading.
• The proposed laws would put digital assets under the same rules governing stocks, ETFs, and other instruments.
The Israel Securities Authority (ISA) is proposing draft amendments to regulate cryptocurrencies. These proposed laws are intended to protect citizens from the risks associated with crypto trading. The objective is to ensure that the same rules governing securities like stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other instruments also apply to digital assets.
The ISA has identified an increasing risk in crypto as a result of market contraction and macroeconomic factors, as evidenced by the halving of crypto prices and the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. The bankruptcies of leading lending platforms such as Voyager Digital, BlockFi, and Celsius Network further impacted investors, with the latter company alone having over $4.2 billion of investors’ funds locked up as of July 2022.
The draft bill seeks to make Israel agile and flexible, enabling the quick drafting and implementation of laws to suit the fast-paced, highly dynamic nature of cryptocurrencies and blockchain. If the proposed amendment is passed, digital assets in Israel will be subject to the same laws and regulations as other securities.
The ISA report includes a range of safeguards for investors, such as the separation of assets to protect against potential losses, transparent fees and trading costs, and regular reporting of trading activity. Furthermore, the regulator is looking to ensure the consumer is better informed about the risks associated with crypto, and that investors have access to the necessary resources to make informed decisions.
The proposed legislation will also introduce a licensing system for crypto exchanges and trading platforms. This will ensure that only legitimate and compliant operators are able to offer services to the public. The ISA is also looking to introduce measures to tackle money laundering and terrorism financing, by requiring exchanges to carry out due diligence on customers and report any suspicious activity.
Overall, it is clear that the ISA is taking steps to ensure that the public is protected from the risks associated with crypto trading. It remains to be seen, however, if the proposed amendment will be passed and if it will be enough to protect investors from the volatility and risks of the crypto market.