News linked to both this project and an event.
According to bits.media, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree establishing the Besqala Mining Valley Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Miners operating within the zone will enjoy tax incentives, valid until January 1, 2035. The zone will be connected to a unified power system powered by renewable energy and hydrogen. Cryptographic assets mined within the zone may be sold or exchanged via domestic Uzbek exchanges or overseas platforms. Mining licenses will be issued by the State Agency for Perspective Projects. Currently, Uzbekistan mandates that cryptocurrency transactions be conducted exclusively through state-licensed service providers; peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions are explicitly prohibited by law, digital assets cannot be used for payment or settlement, and only legal entities are permitted to engage in mining activities. The country introduced its mining licensing regime in 2023, with the first license officially issued only at the end of February 2026.
Odaily News U.S. Senator Thom Tillis is urging the Senate Banking Committee to postpone the deliberation of the crypto market structure bill until May, in order to secure more time for finalizing a regulatory compromise on stablecoins between banks and the crypto industry.This move aims to provide additional negotiation space for key disagreements surrounding stablecoins and to promote the formation of a more feasible regulatory framework. (Cointelegraph)