live Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's Pres...
More than 661,000 citizens of Uzbekistan have registered on licensed cryptocurrency platforms, as the country continues to formalise and regulate its digital asset sector, according to the National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP).
Currently, 21 licensed crypto service providers operate in Uzbekistan. These include 12 crypto shops, 6 crypto depositaries and three crypto exchanges. In total, 663,691 clients have been registered, of whom 661,850 are residents.
Since 2022, companies operating in the crypto asset sector have paid more than $1.19 billion in state duties and fees. Of that amount, approximately $878 million came from state licence fees, while about $311 million was collected in ongoing monthly payments.
The licensing framework was introduced to regulate market participants and reduce risks associated with fraud and financial crime.
In December 2024, authorities approved updated state duty rates for crypto-related activities, including mining pools, crypto stores, depositaries and exchanges.
Two issuers - Humo Digital and Lockton Hub - have together issued more than 21 million tokens, including both asset-backed and utility tokens. Humo previously launched a pilot project for a token backed by Uzbekistan’s government bonds.
Additionally, Uzbekistan issued its first official cryptocurrency mining permit to private company NexaGrid, registered in Tashkent and operating in the Romitan district of the Bukhara region.
Under regulations adopted in 2023, only legal entities may engage in mining after obtaining a permit. Mining must take place at the registered address and in specially equipped premises that meet safety requirements.
Operators are required to use electricity generated from their own solar power facilities or comply with strict metering rules if connected to the national grid.
Hidden mining and the extraction of anonymous crypto assets are prohibited. Licensed miners must provide regular reports to the regulator on their activities and crypto wallets.
Digital development strategy
Authorities describe the regulatory approach as a balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring transparency.
The crypto sector is viewed as part of Uzbekistan’s broader digital transformation agenda, aimed at supporting fintech development, attracting investment and creating new employment opportunities. Officials say further improvements to the legal framework may follow as the market matures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged continued cooperation after talks in Kabul on aid coordination, bilateral ties and job creation.
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Friday (10 April) that a parliamentary election in the Central Asian country would take place in August but stopped short of naming an exact date.
Lebanon is sliding deeper into a food security crisis as ongoing regional conflict disrupts supply routes and drives up the cost of basic goods, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.
Thousands of Palestinians returned to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem after Israel lifted a 40-day ban that had left one of Islam’s holiest sites largely closed.
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