News linked to both this project and an event.
Odaily reports: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the second and third reviews of El Salvador's 40-month Extended Fund Facility, approving an immediate disbursement of approximately $138 million under the $1.4 billion financing program. Despite some performance criteria not being met, the IMF granted waivers based on corrective measures and recommitments.The IMF stated that El Salvador will continue to reduce state involvement in Bitcoin-related activities, strengthen crypto asset regulation, governance, and transparency of public sector crypto asset holdings, and will not accumulate additional Bitcoin beyond already recorded donations. The majority stake and operational control of the government's Chivo Bitcoin wallet have been transferred to a private operator. (Cointelegraph)
the International Monetary Fund has approved an immediate disbursement of $139 million to El Salvador, following the completion of the second and third reviews of its $14 billion Extended Fund Facility. The institution granted a waiver for El Salvador's failure to meet performance criteria related to Bitcoin holdings, stating that the country has taken corrective measures and reaffirmed its commitments; documents provided by El Salvador show that the Bitcoin added after the first review came from private donations rather than public funds. The IMF stated that El Salvador's economic performance has exceeded expectations, and that progress has been made in anti-money laundering efforts, fiscal transparency, and the transfer of majority ownership and control of the state-owned digital wallet Chivo to a private operator.
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)