Norway | Crypto

Norway rules that a digital krone is unnecessary for now, highlighting its strong payment rails and the uncertain benefits of both retail and wholesale CBDCs. Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, concluded that introducing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) is “not warranted at this time,” marking a clear signal that the country is reconsidering the urgency of retail and wholesale CBDCs. The central bank said Wednesday that Norway’s existing payment system already offers secure, efficient and low-cost transactions, reducing the need for a CBDC in the near term. Still, the bank remains open to launching a CBDC in the future.  “Norges Bank has concluded that introducing a central bank digital currency is currently not warranted,” said Norges Bank Governor Ida Wolden Bache. “The need for such a currency may, however, change in the future.” Read more

Norwegian officials launched an investigation on Oct. 10 into a suspected leak of confidential information after online wagers on this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner surged just hours before the official announcement. Authorities said the spike in betting activity on Polymarket appeared to indicate insider knowledge of the Nobel Committee’s decision. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina […] The post Abnormal Polymarket bets on potential Nobel Prize winner cause Norway to launch probe appeared first on CryptoSlate.

The European country’s sovereign wealth fund does not hold BTC directly but has indirect exposure through a portfolio of crypto companies. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the largest state-directed wealth fund in the world, increased its indirect Bitcoin (BTC) exposure by 192% over the last year, according to crypto research company K33 Research. The fund has indirect exposure to 7,161 BTC through its investment portfolio, which includes treasury companies Strategy and Metaplanet and crypto exchange Coinbase. The fund currently holds over 11.9 billion Norwegian krone ($1.2 billion) of Strategy’s stock, a 133% increase from 2024. Similarly, the fund has increased its Coinbase holdings by over 96% since 2024. Read more

A temporary ban could be imposed as early as autumn based on an investigation into crypto miners’ energy consumption. The government of Norway is considering a temporary ban on crypto mining in the country in an effort to “free up power, network capacity and area for other purposes.” In a Friday notice, the Norwegian government said it would be conducting an investigation in autumn that could result in a temporary ban on crypto mining data centers. Officials said they had the authority to enforce such a ban under Norway’s Planning and Building Act, which includes provisions on allocating energy. “It is uncertain how big a problem crypto mining will become in Norway in the future,” the notice reads. “The registration requirement in the new data center regulations will provide increased knowledge about the scope of data centers that mine cryptocurrency.” Read more

Norway is reportedly planning to introduce a temporary ban on the development of new data centres linked to crypto mining, Reuters reported on June 20. According to the report, the government is expected to implement the restrictions before the end of the year, citing environmental and energy concerns. The government says the aim is to […] The post Norway eyes crypto mining ban amid local firms’ heavy investments in Bitcoin appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Norwegian digital asset firm K33 has launched a directed share issue aimed at raising $9 million, with proceeds earmarked for Bitcoin purchases The post Norway’s K33 Plans $9M Raise to Buy Bitcoin, Targeting 1,000 BTC Treasury Milestone appeared first on Cryptonews.

Norwegian Block Exchange (NBX) shares surged over 138% in a single day after the Oslo-based crypto exchange revealed it had begun adding Bitcoin to its treasury. The post Norway’s NBX Stock Rockets 138% After Surprise Bitcoin Treasury Buy — What’s Next for the BTC Price? appeared first on Cryptonews.