Government Set to Present Virtual Asset Bill to Parliament

Botswana Cryptocurrency Regulation
A Botswana government draft document that proposes to regulate new and developing virtual assets businesses, as well as to provide a regulatory body with its functions and powers, is now set to be presented before the country’s lawmakers, a recent government gazette has shown.
Preventing the Proliferation of Risks Associated With Cryptos
The planned presentation of the Virtual Asset Bill alongside other bills such as the Financial Intelligence Bill comes just over two months after the country’s central bank warned residents engaged in cryptocurrency trading that Botswana does not have a regulatory framework to govern such trading.
Yet, in the draft that was published in the Extraordinary Government Gazette on December 23, Botswana authorities suggest they are not only seeking to recognize crypto trade but plan to include “provisions for managing, mitigating and preventing money laundering and financing of terrorism” into the proposed law.
Concerning companies or entities that issue tokens, the draft bill states:
“Part III further provides that the Regulatory Authority may grant a licence if the applicant demonstrates that it has the necessary infrastructure and resources to carry out the business activities of a virtual asset service provider or issuer of initial token offerings and that the applicant is a fit and proper person. The definition of “fit and proper” is provided for in clause 11 (2) consistently with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Act.” The definition of “fit and proper” is provided for in clause 11 (2) consistently with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Act.”
They are also expected to “prevent market abuse and provide measures for the acquisition of a beneficial interest in their businesses.”
With respect to the advertisement of token offerings, the draft states:
White Paper Issuance Mandatory
“Part IV further provides that a licence holder shall issue a white paper that contains full and accurate information for potential purchasers of virtual assets and initial token offerings to make informed decisions.”
Meanwhile, some crypto enthusiasts have speculated that Botswana’s proposal to amend its financial laws could be linked to the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) graylisted countries in October 2021.
However, in late 2021 — nearly three years after grey-listing — the FATF said it had removed Botswana from the list after noting some improvement.
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