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Kenya Central Bank Orders Financial Institutions to Stop Dealing With Two Nigerian Fintechs
1.8.2022
In a letter addressed to the CEOs of financial institutions, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has said financial institutions operating in the country must cease and desist from dealing with two Nigerian fintechs, Flutterwave and Chipper Cash. The letter reiterates the CBK governor Patrick Njoroge...
Vinnik to Be ‘Hostage’ in US Amid Russia’s War in Ukraine, Greek Lawyer Says
1.8.2022
If extradited to the United States, crypto exchange BTC-e’s alleged operator Alexander Vinnik will become a “hostage” due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to his Greek lawyer. France is likely to send the Russian back to Greece soon and Zoe Konstantopoulou...
Israel Prohibits Cash Deals for Amounts Starting as Low as $1,700
30.7.2022
New legislation introducing tighter restrictions on payments with large sums of cash will enter into force in Israel on Monday. The goal, as stated by the country’s tax authority, is to improve the fight against organized crime, money laundering, and tax evasion. Critics doubt the law will...
Regulation of Cryptocurrency in South Africa Should Not Scare Away Investors Experts Say
30.7.2022
Two experts have said they welcome South Africa’s planned regulation of cryptocurrency but warned this should not scare away investors. If the regulation is balanced between the need to protect investors and stimulating interest in crypto investment, this “could see funds stream into...
Report: Terror Groups Using South African Financial System to Move Funds
28.7.2022
Sympathizers of the terror group, the Islamic State (IS) are allegedly using South Africa’s financial system to channel funds to the group’s affiliates and networks in Africa. The United States government has so far sanctioned four South Africa-based individuals it accused...
Latvian Artist Threatened With Prison for Money Laundering Through NFTs
26.7.2022
An artist from Latvia is under investigation for allegedly selling NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, to launder money, for which he may get up to 12 years in prison. The authorities have blocked his bank accounts and launched an investigation without even notifying him. Artist Who Sold Over 3,500 NFTs...
US Withdraws Request to Extradite BTC-e’s Vinnik From France, Lawyer Sees ‘Deceitful Maneuver’
23.7.2022
U.S. authorities have withdrawn their request to extradite the alleged operator of crypto exchange BTC-e Alexander Vinnik from France, his French lawyer informed Russian media. Vinnik’s defense suspects, however, that the move is intended to actually speed up his extradition through Greece....
South African Central Bank Now Considers Cryptocurrency to Be a Financial Asset
15.7.2022
The deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) recently said the institution has changed its position on cryptocurrency, and now regards it to be a financial asset which must be regulated as such. The SARB expects to have a cryptocurrency regulatory framework in place by the end...
Russia Considers Jail Time for People Helping Crypto Scammers Launder Proceeds
15.7.2022
The interior ministry of Russia has decided to go after those providing money-laundering services to crypto fraudsters, suggesting they should go to prison. The department wants to introduce criminal liability for the activities of these people, also known as ‘droppers.’...
Binance Failed to Deliver on Money Laundering Prevention Promises: Report
11.7.2022
The world's largest crypto exchange by value traded has been loose on its prevention of money laundering, Reuters reported
Hong Kong to Introduce Licensing for Crypto Platforms Through AML Law
10.7.2022
New legislation tailored to regulate the crypto space in Hong Kong aims to implement a licensing regime for crypto service providers. The respective changes to the region’s anti-money laundering (AML) rules have been submitted to its legislature while a recently published report examines...
Report: Nigerian Fintech Giant Flutterwave Accused of Laundering Money, More Than 50 Bank Accounts Frozen
8.7.2022
A Kenyan agency charged with tracing and freezing proceeds of crime said it recently obtained an order giving it the authority to freeze bank accounts belonging to Nigerian fintech Flutterwave. The agency alleges that Flutterwave is not providing merchant services as per claims, but is instead...
EU Lawmakers Want Anti-Money Laundering Rules To Cover NFTs
5.7.2022
With the European Union advancing work on new regulations that could exert a significant impact on the crypto industry, a group of members of the European Parliament have proposed an amendment to the bloc’s anti-money laundering (AML) legislation that would cover non-fungible token (NFT) trading...
NFT Platforms Should Be Caught by EU Money-Laundering Overhaul, Lawmakers Say
4.7.2022
Unhosted wallets and decentralized finance were left largely unscathed by two landmark crypto laws agreed to last week, but left-wing lawmakers may seek another go as they discuss dirty-money rules
EU Makes Deal on MiCA Legislation to Regulate Crypto Markets
2.7.2022
Representatives of key European Union (EU) institutions and member states reached an agreement on the Markets in Crypto Assets regulatory proposal. The progress in the negotiations over the comprehensive legal framework for the Union’s crypto space comes after earlier this week European...
Global Anti-Money Laundering Watchdog Presses Countries, Crypto Exchanges to Implement Key Requirement Faster
1.7.2022
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is intensifying its pressure on virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and countries to accelerate the implementation of its rules on digital assets, as only a quarter of responding jurisdictions are currently making efforts to pass legislation to implement...
EU Agreement Reached on Anti-money Laundering Rules for Cryptocurrencies
30.6.2022
European institutions have reached an interim consensus on a set of EU regulations that will burden crypto companies with the obligation to help prevent money laundering, among other illicit activities potentially involving digital assets. The progress comes as the Union seeks to comprehensively...
EU Finalizes Crypto Money Laundering Rules
29.6.2022
A Wednesday meeting secured a final deal on anti-money laundering legislation for crypto transfers which the industry warns could prove harmful for innovation and privacy
Report: Morocco’s Central Bank to Unveil Crypto Regulation Bill Soon
27.6.2022
The Moroccan central bank is presently working on a cryptocurrency regulation framework bill and according to the bank’s governor, Abdellatif Jouahri, this is set to be introduced soon. The regulatory framework being worked on will result in Morocco’s money laundering...
President of Panama Partially Vetoes Crypto Law Passed by National Assembly
18.6.2022
Laurentino Cortizo, president of Panama, has exercised his veto powers to make a series of objections to the recently approved cryptocurrency law. The observations of the president only touch on certain articles and do not affect the law in its entire scope. However, these articles of the bill will...