- President Albuquerque emphasized that this initiative was inclusive and open to anyone who wanted to participate in advancing Bitcoin innovation.
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The first declaration of Madeira’s Bitcoin-friendly policy took place during the Bitcoin 2022 conference in Miami.
On the second day of Bitcoin [BTC] Amsterdam Conference 2023, President Miguel Albuquerque of Madeira next to Prince Philippe of Serbia announced the establishment of a Bitcoin business center in the region to promote innovation. The announcement came during a fireside chat at the event.
President Albuquerque revealed that the Association for the Development of Technology and Bitcoin, along with various partnerships and collaborations, had initiated the creation of a Bitcoin business center. He emphasized that this initiative is inclusive and open to anyone who wants to participate in advancing Bitcoin innovation.
Prince Philip expressed his enthusiasm about Madeira’s embrace of Bitcoin. He called it ‘a technology for the future’. He also likened it to an “open, secure protocol similar to the Internet.”
Prince Philip has been actively involved in educating lawmakers worldwide on the benefits of nation-state adoption of Bitcoin. He remains a strong supporter of Bitcoin.
President Albuquerque emphasized Madeira’s commitment to transform its economic landscape to accommodate technological companies, high-tech ventures, artificial intelligence and Bitcoin-related initiatives. He welcomed all efforts related to Bitcoin and highlighted the region’s open-armed approach to the cryptocurrency.
Madeira embraces the Bitcoin innovation initiative
The first declaration of Madeira’s Bitcoin-friendly policies, including tax exemptions for BTC investors, took place at the Bitcoin 2022 conference in Miami. President Albuquerque expressed his unwavering belief in the future of Bitcoin.
He emphasized that persons buying and selling Bitcoin in Madeira are exempt from personal income tax.
Earlier this year, a delegation of Bitcoin enthusiasts visited Madeira. The purpose of the visit was to observe the progress of Bitcoin adoption across the region. The combined efforts of local officials and advocates have contributed to the region’s commitment to becoming a hub for Bitcoin innovation and development.
Crypto in Europe is gearing up for MiCA regulations
Portugal is crypto-friendly and balances the benefits of digital currencies with risk management. The country sets clear regulations, tax guidelines and licensing regulations. It also provides legal clarity for crypto stakeholders while addressing potential threats such as money laundering and fraud.
Europe is preparing for the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) recently released a 307-page consultative document, a new step in regulating the cryptocurrency sector under these regulations.
It focuses on five key areas: sustainability indicators for blockchain technology, insider disclosure, white paper technical requirements, trade transparency measures, and record keeping standards for crypto asset service providers.
ESMA plans to submit draft technical standards to the European Commission by June 30, 2024, after integrating stakeholder feedback.