Search
Venezuelan Crime Organization Tren De Aragua Gets Sanctioned by OFAC on Crypto Money Laundering Allegations
18.7.2024
Tren de Aragua (Aragua’s Train), a criminal gang with Venezuelan origins, has been sanctioned by OFAC as a transnational organization engaging in kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion, and other illegal behavior. The U.S. Department of the Treasury also stated that the organization...
U.S. Treasury Department Highlights Increasing Use of Crypto by Criminals in 2024
7.2.2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released its 2024 National Risk Assessments on Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing, outlining the most significant threats facing the United States in illicit finance. The reports detail updates to the anti-money laundering...
Crypto Mixer Sinbad Sanctioned by OFAC Over Alleged Ties to North Korean Hackers
1.12.2023
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on yet another cryptocurrency mixing platform, labeling Sinbad.io as a “key money-laundering tool” used by the North Korean Lazarus Group crime syndicate. Sinbad.io, in addition...
Former Treasury Official Issues Dire Warning, Bill Ackman Fears Economic ‘Train Wreck,’ US Gov. Remains Top BTC Holder, and More — Week in Review
2.4.2023
Warnings continue to pervade market and financial news this week, with Monica Crowley, former assistant secretary for public affairs for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, indicating “catastrophic” consequences if the U.S. dollar loses its status as the world’s reserve currency....
Former Treasury Official Warns of Complete Economic Implosion if US Dollar Loses Global Reserve Currency Status
29.3.2023
Former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Treasury Monica Crowley has warned of “catastrophic” consequences if the U.S. dollar loses its status as the world’s reserve currency. “That would mean the end of the U.S. dollar,” she said, predicting that “there would...
Crypto Exchange Kraken Settles With Treasury Department Over Sanctions Violations
30.11.2022
Crypto exchange Kraken has settled with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) over its apparent violations of sanctions against Iran. The cryptocurrency exchange has agreed to remit $362,159 to settle its potential civil liability and invest an additional...
US Treasury Seeks Public Comments on Crypto-Related Illicit Finance and National Security Risks
21.9.2022
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is seeking public input on “digital-asset-related illicit finance and national security risks.” The department warned: “The growing use of digital assets in financial activity heightens risks of crimes such as money laundering, terrorist...
US Treasury Clarifies How to Comply With Regulations on Sanctioned Crypto Mixing Service Tornado Cash
17.9.2022
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has answered some questions on regulatory compliance relating to Tornado Cash, a recently sanctioned crypto mixer. The answers include how to withdraw crypto or complete transactions initiated using Tornado Cash prior to its sanction and how to deal with...
US, UK Regulators Partner on Broader Crypto Regulation
1.8.2022
Regulators in the U.S. and U.K. have met to discuss broader crypto regulatory initiatives. They reaffirmed their commitment to “continued cooperation to support safe financial innovation, as well as to strengthen regulatory outcomes for stablecoins across jurisdictions.” US and...
US Treasury Delivers Crypto Framework to Biden as Directed in Executive Order
10.7.2022
The U.S. Treasury Department has delivered a framework for crypto assets to President Joe Biden, fulfilling its obligation as directed in the executive order on crypto that the president issued in March. U.S. Treasury Secretary Delivers Crypto Framework to Biden The U.S. Department of the Treasury...
US Treasury Sanctions First Crypto Mixer
8.5.2022
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued its first-ever sanctions on a crypto mixer. The mixing service was used by Lazarus Group to process illicit proceeds from the $620 million crypto heist of the online game Axie Infinity, said the Treasury...
US Sanctions Bitriver, Targets Russia’s Crypto Mining Potential
21.4.2022
In an attempt to deny Russia opportunities to evade sanctions through cryptocurrencies, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned leading Russian mining firm Bitriver. The move comes amid concerns that Moscow may use the minting of digital coins to monetize its energy resources. Zug-Based...
US Treasury Official: We Don’t See That Crypto Could Be Used in Large-Scale Way to Evade Sanctions
20.3.2022
The U.S. Department of the Treasury does not see that cryptocurrency could be used in a large-scale way to evade sanctions. “Its share as a medium for illicit finance is not anywhere as large as just using cash,” a senior Treasury official noted. Treasury Department’s View...
US Treasury Launching Cryptocurrency Awareness Program
12.3.2022
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is launching a cryptocurrency awareness program. “We’re just trying to raise awareness without trying to stamp out new technology and new innovation,” said an official of the Treasury. Treasury’s Efforts to Raise Crypto Awareness...
US Treasury Warns NFTs May Present New Illicit Finance Risks
6.2.2022
The U.S. treasury department has warned that non-fungible tokens (NFTs) may present new illicit finance risks. According to industry estimates, the NFT market could reach $35 billion in 2022 and more than $80 billion by 2025. NFTs May Present Illicit Finance Risks The U.S. Department of...
US Treasury Sanctions 2nd Cryptocurrency Exchange, DOJ Seizes $6.1 Million
9.11.2021
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned a second cryptocurrency exchange “for facilitating financial transactions for ransomware actors.” Two ransomware operators have also been sanctioned and $6.1 million in funds were seized. US Treasury Sanctions Another Cryptocurrency Exchange...
Treasury Says Crypto Reduces Efficacy of US Sanctions, Seeks More Funding
20.10.2021
The U.S. Department of the Treasury says that the growing use of crypto assets challenges the efficacy of American sanctions. “We are mindful of the risk that, if left unchecked, these digital assets and payments systems could harm the efficacy of our sanctions,” the Treasury...
US Treasury Targets Crypto Exchanges in Whole-of-Government Effort to Counter Ransomware
23.9.2021
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has taken actions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges “responsible for laundering ransoms” as part of the whole-of-government effort to counter ransomware. One cryptocurrency exchange has already been sanctioned along with related crypto addresses....
Treasury Secretary Yellen Asks US Regulators Overseeing Crypto Assets to ‘Act Quickly’ to Regulate Stablecoins
21.7.2021
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has asked the regulators overseeing crypto assets to “act quickly to ensure there is an appropriate U.S. regulatory framework in place” for stablecoins. U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Public Affairs announced Monday the outcome...
FinCEN Names Misuse of Cryptocurrencies a National Priority
4.7.2021
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has named “cybercrime, including relevant cybersecurity and virtual currency considerations” a national priority. In particular, the Treasury is concerned about the “misuse of virtual assets that exploits and undermines their...