Malta Passes Favorable Cryptocurrency Laws in Next Step as a Blockchain Island

The Maltese Parliament has voted into law three cryptocurrency and blockchain bills, making Malta one of the most desirable locations for setting up blockchain enterprises.

According to legislative records, the bills, which were introduced to the parliament by Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri, were passed unanimously on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

The bills-turned-law detail the regulation of ICOs and cryptocurrencies and the process for setting up crypto-based businesses in Malta. The news, which Schembri shared via a tweet, makes Malta the first country to enact such laws.

“Today, Maltese Parliament unanimously approved three bills on DLT/blockchain, a 1st in the World. Honored to have driven these bills," he said.

The three bills passed into law are "The Virtual Financial Assets Act," "The Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act," and "The Innovative Technology Arrangements and Services Act," respectively.

The Virtual Financial Assets Act (VFA)

The VFA will regulate initial coin offerings. The law requires new companies raising capital through ICOs to publish white papers that outline a detailed description for the entire project. Issuers are also expected to make their financial history public.

The Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act

This law formalizes regulatory procedures for the cryptocurrency and the blockchain industry. It also establishes the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), which will serve as the regulatory body for the industry. The functions of the MDIA will be carried out by a Board of Governors, headed by a CEO. Local news outlet the Times of Malta confirmed the appointment of Stephen McCarthy as the first chief executive of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority.

Technology Arrangements and Services Bill

This law details the registration and certification of technology service providers and technology arrangements, and it focuses on the registration of exchanges in Malta. Industry insiders believe this bill was created to make Malta the destination of choice for cryptocurrency exchanges.

Malta, which, even before these laws, was known as a friendly hub for blockchain businesses, has already attracted some crypto heavyweights such as OKEx and Binance.

The new bills are expected to guide the government on how to embrace the technology and achieve its aim of becoming a hotspot for crypto and blockchain businesses.

This article originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine.

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