Sandali Handagama

Sandali Handagama is CoinDesk's deputy managing editor for policy and regulations, EMEA. She is an alumna of Columbia University's graduate school of journalism and has contributed to a variety of publications including The Guardian, Bloomberg, The Nation and Popular Science. Sandali doesn't own any crypto and she tweets as @iamsandali

Recent

NYDFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell (NYDFS)

Policy

Bitlicense

NYDFS Chief Calls Industry Reaction to BitLicense Changes 'Beyond Positive

NYDFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell said she decided to review the regulator's landmark virtual currency license in light of its impending 5-year anniversary.

By Sandali Handagama

Jul 15, 2020 at 8:01 a.m. UTC

Jul 15, 2020

BitLicenseNYDFSLinda LacewellBitLicense at 5Global Digital Finance

Individuals who donate their cryptocurrencies instead of exchanging for fiat or another crypto may not owe any taxes on those transactions. (SJ Baren/Unsplash)

Policy

Cryptocurrency taxes

Hodlers Can Donate Crypto to Charity to Minimize Tax Payments

Donating crypto means it won’t be taxed, say The Giving Block and TAXbit, which published a guide to facilitate such donations.

By Sandali Handagama

Jul 14, 2020 at 5:37 a.m. UTC

Jul 14, 2020

Cryptocurrency TaxesTaxBittaxes 2020The Giving Block

U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein said there is "no binding precedent" for SEC vs. Kik case. Credit: Shuttershock

Markets

Telegram's Defeat Isn't 'Binding' in Kik Case, Judge Tells SEC

Kik's proverbial day in court may take a lot longer than Telegram's, if the judge’s response to the SEC during a hearing this week is any indication.

By Sandali Handagama

Jul 10, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. UTC

Jul 10, 2020

TelegramSecurities and Exchange CommissionKikKin

Mt. Fuji from Tokyo (Sakarin Sawasdinaka/Shutterstock)

Markets

Japan

Brave Browser Partners With bitFlyer to Expand BAT’s Reach in Japan

The crypto exchange will build a BAT wallet for Brave as it helps the cryptocurrency grow in Japan.

By Sandali Handagama

Jul 10, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. UTC

Jul 10, 2020

JapanbitFlyerBraveBAT

Finance

Digital assets

London Stock Exchange Parent Assigns Financial 'Bar Codes' to 169 Cryptos

The addition of bitcoin and its ilk to LSEG's database, in response to customer demand, is a sign that institutions are slowly embracing the asset class.

By Sandali Handagama

Jul 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. UTC

Jul 9, 2020

Digital AssetsMarketsInstitutional InvestorsLSEG

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers (The Money Movement/YouTube)

Markets

Coinbase

Former US Treasury Secretary Laurence Summers Expects 'a Ton of Innovation' Around Stablecoins

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers praised stablecoins last week, saying he sees use cases in cross-border transactions as one example of their usefulness.

By Sandali Handagama

Jul 3, 2020 at 5:11 p.m. UTC

Jul 3, 2020

CoinbaseCircleLawrence SummersStablecoinsUSDCCENTRE Consortium

Swiss parliament building (Shutterstock)

Policy

Switzerland

Swiss Government Makes Moves to Encourage Crypto Businesses

The Swiss government is making key legislative changes to financial laws to improve legal conditions for blockchain businesses.

By Sandali Handagama

Jul 1, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. UTC

Jul 1, 2020

SwitzerlandBlockchainRegulationTaxes

Policy

Bitlicense

BitLicense at 5: For Startups Regulated Overseas, New York Isn't So Tough

While some exchanges left New York in the wake of its implementing the BitLicense, others say the regulatory regime have helped build market share and revenue.

By Sandali Handagama

Jun 24, 2020 at 4:05 p.m. UTC

Jun 24, 2020

BitLicenseNYDFSBitLicense at 5