The European Council, a body within the European Union composed of heads of state as well as the president of the confederationâs executive branch, will propose rules for digital currency exchanges and wallet providers in the region by June, according to statements today following a meeting in Brussels.
The news comes on the heels of a move by the European Commission to set the stage for stricter oversight of exchanges and wallet service providers. On 2nd February, the Commission said that it seeks âto help identify the users who trade in virtual currenciesâ, as well as end âthe anonymity associated with such exchangesâ.
During a press conference today, Valdis Dombrovskis, who services as vice commissioner for the group, told reporters:
âBy June at the latest we will propose measures toâ¦have better control of payment forms such as virtual currencies and anonymous pre-paid cards.â
Dombrovskis went on to say that the Commission is preparing to monitor and potentially prohibit transactions from âhigh-risk countriesâ that enter the EU.
âIn June the Commission will come up with an âEU blacklistâ of such countries,â he said.
According to a press release, published yesterday, the Commission is seeking ârapidâ action on legislation related to âthe field of virtual currenciesâ. This action comes as the European Parliament, the legislative arm of the EU, also considers its own form of digital currency regulation.
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