Crypto News Today: Italy, India, Kazakhstan Tighten Grip on Crypto Trading and Advertising
2026 began with the strengthening of global laws. Countries are moving quickly to close compliance gaps. If 2026 is the launch year of crypto, is this set for it? Even SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said “Clear rules and well-defined rules” bring market certainty.”
First, Kazakhstan, a country that promised to build a “crypto-city,” has disrupted more than 1100 unlicensed cryptocurrency platforms by 2025. The Kazakh regulator, the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM), has closed illegal crypto exchanges and frozen assets to ensure compliance.
According to the issued statement on January 12, 2025, 1135 criminal cases were investigated, 141.5 billion tenge were returned to victims. Notably, authorities shut down 22 crypto exchanges and $16.7 million of crypto was seized by the government.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan has blocked more than 1,100 crypto trading websites a year as part of a crackdown on illegal platforms.
The law is fast becoming stricter. pic.twitter.com/YAVDAv0VF8– First1Bitcoin (@First1Bitcoin) January 13, 2026
FIND: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2026
Italy Says Social Media Posts Hyping “Find Quick” Crypto-Linked Schemes Could Get Into Trouble
Meanwhile, Italy continues to dial down efforts to bring the local crypto industry into line.
Unregistered Virtual Heritage Service Providers (VASPs) in Italy have been given until December 2026 to secure all licenses. The country has been aggressive in blocking unregistered forums. Regulators shut down 1500 investment websites.
Italy’s top security regulator has issued a warning to “finfluencers” who promote crypto. Italian authorities have made it clear that EU investment rules apply fully to the social media activity of financial promoters.
On 12 January 2026, the Italian Commissioner Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB) published guidance from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). “Promoting a financial product or service on social media is not like promoting shoes or watches, explains the Fact sheet published on the website of ESMA and Consob. The guidance said, “Telling people what to invest in, or what to avoid, can be considered a form of investment advice that needs to be approved by competent national authorities.”
From now on, “this is not investment advice” will not suffice. If a social media site recommends buying, selling, avoiding anything – the promoter may need a formal authorization from the national regulator.
Italy’s CONSOB puts ‘finfluencers’ on notice amid ESMA’s crypto risk warnings https://t.co/GrYKUfAc1K#Blockchain #memecoin #The sign #Crypto #technology #Ethereum #bnb #Polygon #bitcoin #cryptocurrency #Money #News #DeFI pic.twitter.com/BWhqZcffKo
– takaracoin (@takaracoin) January 13, 2026
Follow up 99Bitcoins in X with the latest Market updates and Subscribe to YouTube of the Daily Expert Market Analysis
FIND: 16+ New and upcoming Binance listings in 2026
India’s FIU Issues Strict AML KYC Rules: MEXC, KuCoin Websites Unavailable in India
India has also issued an update to its guidelines. On 8 January 2026 the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of India issued anti-money laundering and know-your-customer rules.
The new measures classify all Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) service providers – including overseas exchanges that serve Indian users – as reporting entities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002. What does this mean? As the Indian crypto market is exploding, India is choosing to dominate the market quickly. Now, platforms that don’t comply risk huge fines, app store bans, and criminal prosecution.
According to FIU, “reporting entities” must close loopholes that could be exploited by malicious players.
In recent years, Binance, KuCoin, and others have been fined for not meeting local requirements.
🚨 CONTINUATION: 🇮🇳 #BinanceKucoin and Mexc websites are now unavailable in India 😳 pic.twitter.com/J5WNozyGZq
– Keyur Rohit (@CryptoKingKeyur) January 12, 2024
FIND: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2026
Why you can trust 99Bitcoins
Founded in 2013, 99Bitcoin team members have been crypto experts since the early days of Bitcoin.
90+ hours
Weekly survey
100k+
Monthly students
50+
Professional contributors
2000+
Crypto projects reviewed
Follow 99Bitcoins in your Google news feed
Get the latest updates, trends, and information delivered right to your fingertips. Register now!
Register now 
