Bermuda confirms crypto hub ambitions despite market downturn

cointelegraph.com:

The Bermuda government is pushing on with its ambitious plans to become a cryptocurrency hub despite the massive market downturn in 2022.

The small island territory known for its pristine pink sand beaches and attractive taxation policies has been actively expanding its crypto sector since 2017, according to Bermuda’s minister of economy and labor, Jason Hayward.

He noted on June 3 that the government remains unfazed by the recent crash caused by the collapse of the Terra ecosystem in May, as the market has weathered many storms since 2017.

Speaking with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Hayward pointed to the experience of the economy and local regulators in dealing with foreign business as a key factor that will help Bermuda become a crypto hub. He also bullishly stated that the crash will not hamper its plans moving forward:

“This industry downturn is likely to advance our goal and positively impact our long-term growth and role in this sector,” he added.

So far the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) has granted a total of 14 licenses for crypto firms to operate out of the British island territory, with four of those being approved in 2022, noted Crag Swan, chief executive of the BMA.

The total list includes companies such as multi-asset-class trading firm Class T, crypto exchange Bittrex Global, USD Coin (USDC) issuers Circle Internet Financial Ltd., and crypto interest account providers  BlockFi, who obtained a license in January earlier this year.

Swan highlighted, however, that the BMA is not looking to accept anyone that wants to set up shop in Bermuda and is looking at quality over quantity as part of its crypto hub ambitions.

“So obviously the persons that we want in Bermuda must be fit and proper because