US approves Winklevoss dollar-linked cryptocurrencies
NEW YORK – Agence France-Presse
New York state regulators gave the green light on Sept. 10 to a pair of cryptocurrencies linked to the dollar, providing a boost of credibility to the ventures.
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and their Gemini Trust Company received authorization along with Paxos Trust Company, after the companies agreed to adhere to New York rules on money laundering, anti-fraud and consumer protections, the New York State Department of Financial Services said.
The Winklevoss twins have said their Gemini dollar could provide a key link between cryptocurrencies and traditional money. The company plans to launch a program that will allow consumers to convert U.S. dollars into Gemini dollars.
“To date, there has been no trusted and regulated digital representation of the US dollar on the blockchain,” Tyler Winklevoss said.
“We are excited to bring the Gemini dollar to market, a stablecoin that combines the creditworthiness and price stability of the U.S. dollar with blockchain technology and the oversight of the DFS.”
Approval in New York comes after the US Securities and Exchange Commission in July rejected a proposal from the Winklevoss brothers to allow trading in the first Bitcoin-based exchange-traded fund.
DFS superintendent US Maria Vullo said New York “is committed to fostering innovation while ensuring responsible growth” as financial markets evolve.
Charles Cascarilla, chief executive of Paxos, said its venture would pave the way to “a truly frictionless, global economy” with a “digital asset that can be trusted.”
The SEC, which has been cracking down on some cryptocurrency ventures, on Sept. 9 also took action against Bitcoin Tracker One and Ether Tracker One after the entities were described alternatively as “exchange traded funds,” “exchange traded notes” and “non-equity traded certificates.”
The SEC ordered a suspension of trading for the two entities, pointing to “confusion amongst market participants regarding these financial instruments.”
