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FINMA Orders Closure of Crypto Bank FlowBank, Begins Liquidation

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10 months ago

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The Swiss financial watchdog, the Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), closed FlowBank and declared it insolvent. This came after FlowBank was found to lack proper capital and was reportedly in deep debt. Deposits of up to 100,000 Swiss francs are guaranteed, but the situation with the crypto assets is still unclear.

FlowBank Shut Down by Swiss Regulator FINMA

FlowBank, an online Swiss bank active in the crypto space, has been shut down by the Swiss FINMA. This comes against the backdrop of the bank being found to be having inadequate capital to support its operations. FINMA stated that FlowBank had violated the minimum capital requirements to a very high degree and in a severe manner. There are also some valid concerns regarding the bank’s current high level of indebtedness. Therefore, FINMA does not expect changes to the bank’s structure shortly.

In a letter to its customers published on the bank’s current website, FlowBank stated that it had received confirmation from FINMA. All bank web pages have been automatically redirected to this notice. A Swiss-based law firm, Walder Wyss, has been appointed the bankruptcy liquidator. This is a proper way to handle the bank’s shutdown and attend to customer needs.

FlowBank was established in 2020 and is a contemporary bank with strong connections to the crypto industry. In 2021, CoinShares, a crypto asset manager, acquired 9% ownership of FlowBank for $11.8 million. This investment allowed FlowBank to provide its customers with the ability to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies and other tokenized assets through their accounts. This integration made FlowBank stand out as one of the leading banks in the crypto banking sector.

In the first quarter of the year, it was reported that Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, would allow some institutional clients to store their digital assets with FlowBank. This partnership revealed that FlowBank has a strong presence in the crypto market. However, the closure has implications for the future of such partnerships and the overall impact on crypto-friendly banks.

Crypto Deposit Fate Unclear Post-Bank Closure

The announcement of FINMA is somewhat comforting to FlowBank’s customers with conventional deposits. People with up to 100,000 Swiss francs in their accounts will get their money back within a week. However, the future of customers’ crypto deposits is less clear. According to FINMA, it is the liquidator’s responsibility to determine whether these cryptocurrencies are custody assets or claims on the bank.

The distinction is crucial. If classified as custody assets, cryptocurrencies will be treated like securities in bankruptcy, which could provide better protection for crypto holders. On the other hand, if treated as claims on the bank, the recovery of these assets might be more complex. This uncertainty is a significant concern for customers who have leveraged FlowBank’s crypto services.

FlowBank’s closure comes amid changes within FINMA’s leadership. Earlier this year, FINMA appointed Stefan Walter, a former European Central Bank (ECB) chief, as its new CEO, effective April 1, 2024. This decision followed the resignation of the previous CEO, Urban Angehrn, who left last year due to health reasons. The leadership transition at FINMA signals a potentially new regulatory approach in the Swiss financial sector.

Also Read: Gary Gensler Says ETH Spot ETF S-1 Might Be Approved This Summer

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Maxwell is a crypto-economic analyst and Blockchain enthusiast, passionate about helping people understand the potential of decentralized technology. I write extensively on topics such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, tokens, and more for many publications. My goal is to spread knowledge about this revolutionary technology and its implications for economic freedom and social good.

The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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Regulation

Kraken Obtains Restricted Dealer Registration in Canada

Published

18 hours ago

on

April 2, 2025

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Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has obtained a Restricted Dealer registration in Canada. The registration comes after completing a pre-registration undertaking (PRU) process with Canadian authorities.

The exchange has also announced the appointment of Cynthia Del Pozo as its new General Manager for North America. Del Pozo will oversee Kraken’s growth initiatives in Canada.

Kraken Completes PRU Process In Canada

Kraken’s Restricted Dealer registration marks the completion of a thorough pre-registration undertaking (PRU) process with Canadian regulators. The registration places Kraken under the supervision of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). This oversight ensures users have access to secure crypto products within a properly regulated local ecosystem.

According to the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the Restricted Dealer registration is one of eight firm registration types in Canada. This particular classification is used for firms that “do not quite fit under any other category.” It also comes with specific requirements and conditions set by securities regulators.

Kraken’s regulatory achievement comes during a period of change in the Canadian crypto sector. Just months earlier, competitor Gemini exchange announced its departure from the Canadian exchange market by the end of 2024. This was a move that surprised many and raised questions about cryptocurrency regulation clarity in the country.

Kraken Introduces New Canadian GM

Del Pozo has joined Kraken to lead its Canadian operations as the new General Manager for North America. She has nearly 15 years of experience in corporate development, operations, and fintech consulting. Del Pozo will help to guide Kraken’s expansion across Canada during this important phase of crypto’s development in the region.

“Canada is at a turning point for crypto adoption, with a growing number of investors and institutions recognizing digital assets as a vital part of the financial future. I’m thrilled to join Kraken’s mission at this critical moment, and to lead our expansion efforts, ensuring we continue to serve our clients long-term with innovative and compliant products,” said Del Pozo.

In her role, Del Pozo will focus on strengthening Kraken’s regulatory relationships and also scaling the company’s presence throughout North America.

Del Pozo also commented on the registration achievement: “This Restricted Dealer registration is testament to the high bar Kraken has always set for consumer protection, client service, and robust security. We’re excited to continue expanding our world-class investment platform and to deliver innovative products that provide real-world utility to Canadians.”

The Exchange’s Continued Growth In Canada

Over the past two years, the cryptocurrency exchange has shown steady expansion in Canada while working through the PRU process with regulators. During this period, the exchange has doubled its team size and monthly active users.

According to the official blog post figures, the firm now has more than $2 billion CAD in total client assets under custody. Kraken has also increased support for some of the most popular cryptocurrencies. It provides several CAD spot trading pairs that enable Canadians to trade crypto without paying expensive foreign exchange fees.

According to Innovative Research Group’s 2024 Investor Survey, 30% of Canadian investors currently own or have owned cryptocurrencies. Likewise, a KPMG Canada survey discovered that 30% of Canadian institutional investors now have exposure to cryptocurrencies, which means widespread adoption across investor types.

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Vignesh

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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USDC Issuer Circle Set To File IPO In April, Here’s All

Published

3 days ago

on

March 31, 2025

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USDC issuer Circle is reportedly set to file its initial public offering (IPO) in April as part of the firm’s plans to finally go public. The stablecoin issuer is allegedly already working with top financial institutions to achieve this move.

Circle To File IPO In Late April

According to a Fortune report, Circle is looking to file its IPO in late April, although the listing period remains uncertain. The report noted that when a company files to go public, its shares usually begin trading four weeks later, indicating that the listing could occur in May. However, there is also a scenario where the IPO process could drag on for months.

The stablecoin issuer is reportedly working with investment banks JPMorgan Chase and Citi to achieve its long-anticipated IPO. The firm had previously tried to go public in 2021 under a SPAC arrangement with a shell company.

The US SEC failed to sign off on this arrangement back then, and the company eventually scrapped these IPO plans by the end of 2022 when the crypto exchange FTX collapsed and the broader crypto market experienced a downturn.

Revelation about Circle’s IPO plans comes just days after the stablecoin issuer partnered with NYSE’s parent company to explore USDC’s use in traditional finance (TradFi). Meanwhile, the USDC stablecoin recently launched in Japan following approval from the country’s regulator. Notably, USDC is the first and only global dollar stablecoin approved under Japan’s stablecoin framework.

An Easier Path Now For The Stablecoin Issuer

Circle will likely face less resistance for its IPO plans under the current SEC administration. Under acting Chair Mark Uyeda, the Commission has shown its willingness to work hand in hand with crypto firms, which was missing under Gary Gensler’s administration.

US SEC Chair nominee Paul Atkins has also shown his willingness to change the approach that Gensler’s administration adopted towards crypto firms. During his nomination hearing, the SEC Chair nominee promised to prioritize providing regulatory clarity for the industry.

Circle’s IPO listing would be the biggest since the top crypto exchange Coinbase went public in 2021. Interestingly, Coinbase owns an equity stake in the crypto firm.

The firm’s USDC is currently the second-largest stablecoin by market cap, only behind Tether’s USDT. The stablecoin industry is heating up as more financial institutions look to develop their own stablecoin.

Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial recently revealed plans to launch its USD1 stablecoin, while asset manager Fidelity is also considering doing so.

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Boluwatife Adeyemi

Boluwatife Adeyemi is a well-experienced crypto news writer and editor who has covered topics that cut across several topics and niches. Boluwatife has a knack for simplifying the most technical concepts and making it easy for crypto newbies to understand. Away from writing, He is an avid basketball lover, a traveler and a part-time degen.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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Japan Set To Classify Cryptocurrencies As Financial Products, Here’s All

Published

4 days ago

on

March 30, 2025

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Cryptocurrency investors in Japan are bracing for impact following a plan to reclassify digital assets as financial products. While the plan has elicited excitement from cryptocurrency enthusiasts in the Far East, the ambitious plan will have to scale several legislative hurdles.

Japan Targets Reclassification Of Cryptocurrencies As Financial Products

According to a report by Nikkei, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is inching toward classifying cryptocurrencies as financial products. Per the report, the FSA intends to achieve the reclassification via an amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.

Currently, digital assets in Japan are considered crypto assets conferred with property rights and seen as payment means. Under the FSA’s plans, cryptocurrencies in Japan will be treated as financial products in the same manner as traditional financial products.

The FSA says it will adopt a slow and steady approach toward the reclassification, carrying out “a private expert study group” to test the waters. If everything goes according to plan, the FSA will submit the amended bill to Parliament in early 2026.

The classification of cryptocurrencies as financial products will have far-reaching consequences for the local ecosystem. Experts say treating cryptocurrencies as financial products will bring Japan closer to a crypto ETF launch amid a changing regulatory landscape.

Furthermore, the move may lower current cryptocurrency taxation for local investors since existing capital market rules will apply to the asset class.

A Fresh Bill For Crypto Insider Trading Is Underway

Apart from the reclassification, the FSA disclosed plans for new legislation against insider trading. The move flows treating cryptocurrencies as financial products and will strengthen existing investor protection rules.

“It is a direction to establish a new insider trading regulation that prohibits trading based on unpublished internal information,” said the FSA. “We will develop laws to prevent unfair transactions.”

However, Japan’s cryptocurrency scene is heating up to a boil, driven by local and international players. Last week, stablecoin issuer Circle secured approval from the FSA for USDC with top exchanges set to list the stablecoin.

Japan’s Metaplanet has tapped Eric Trump to join its Strategic Board of Advisors as it continues to load up Bitcoin.

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Aliyu Pokima

Aliyu Pokima is a seasoned cryptocurrency and emerging technologies journalist with a knack for covering needle-moving stories in the space. Aliyu delivers breaking news stories, regulatory updates, and insightful analysis with depth and precision. When he’s not poring over charts or following leads, Aliyu enjoys playing the bass guitar, lifting weights and running marathons.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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