The Spanish government’s 30 May draft legislation to implement blockchain within its borders may now have to allow for political change after PM Mariano Rajoy’s departure, writes Cointelegraph.
Before the ousting of Rajoy on 1 June, Spanish Congress rolled out its draft legislation for the regulation of blockchain and cryptocurrencies in the country, with a move directed at encouraging fintech start-ups in the country.
Rodrigo Garcia de la Cruz, president of the Spanish Fintech and Insurtech Association, credited the UK for the inspiration for the legislation after the successful launch of the fellow EU member’s own regulatory framework, writes the Econotimes. Garcia commented:
“It is an experience that is giving very positive results and that has led many countries to study its implementation. If we hurry up here in Spain, we could become a pole of attraction for financial innovation.”
Congress also see blockchain implementation creating a cost-efficient and decentralized means of payment and transaction, such as Barcelona’s planned specialized blockchain sector for that city.
Such progressive moves targeting the crypto space have now been overshadowed by the current political crisis in the country, after Rajoy’s replacement by Socialist chief Pedro Sanchez as a result of a no-confidence vote following corruption charges aimed at the ex PM’s center-right People’s Party.
Spanish news source La Vanguardia points out that the Sanchez-led no-confidence vote may delay the current pro-crypto legislation, which had been scheduled to go to a vote by 7 July after public consultation on 7 June. New elections could delay the project for more than six months, Vangardia suggests.
As CNBC notes, Rajoy’s departure and related events in Spain could extend beyond its borders and spark a political crisis in southern Europe, “further unnerving financial markets already wrongfooted by failed attempts to form a government in Italy three months after a national election”.
However, while collectively positive towards such blockchain legislation, the EU continues to be more guarded view towards cryptocurrencies. In May, it approved new anti-money laundering (AML) legislation, in part targeting anonymity in cryptocurrency market.
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