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MTI Mastermind Arrest: Lawyer Points to Agreement Relating to Johann Steynberg’s Extradition to South Africa
16.1.2022
With Johann Steynberg now in custody in Brazil, a lawyer has suggested that South Africa may have to resort to an existing legal assistance agreement with Brazil if it wishes to have the CEO extradited. However, the success of any such extradition will depend on the next steps taken by authorities...
Russia’s National Finance Association Calls for Legalization of Crypto Investments
13.1.2022
The main finance industry association of Russia has urged authorities to reconsider a position against crypto investments in the nation’s financial market strategy. The organization insists that the crypto investments of Russians should be brought out of the “gray zone” instead...
Georgia Goes After Crypto Miners Using Subsidized Electricity in Historic Town
13.1.2022
A record high consumption of electricity blamed on illegal crypto farms in northwestern Georgia has caught the attention of authorities in the capital Tbilisi. The central government and the local utility are taking on the issue of dealing with power shortages in the mountainous region of Svaneti....
India Seizes Assets in $162M Morris Coin Cryptocurrency Investment Scheme
13.1.2022
Indian Enforcement Directorate has seized assets worth approximately $5 million in connection with an alleged cryptocurrency scam involving Morris coin that has duped investors out of $162 million. The crime proceeds were used to buy cryptocurrencies. India Authorities Seize Assets in Alleged...
Iran to Permit Use of Cryptocurrencies in International Settlements, Reports Reveal
11.1.2022
Authorities in Iran are preparing to allow the employment of cryptocurrencies for international settlements. According to local media, central bank and government officials have given the green light to adopt a mechanism using digital coins in the field of foreign trade. Businesses in Iran to...
Kazakhstan Is Stabilizing, Government Claims as Crypto Miners Look to Future in Country
10.1.2022
The situation across Kazakhstan, hit by anti-government protests in the first week of the year, is normalizing, central authorities claim. The country’s massive crypto mining industry, which faced an internet blackout during civil unrest on top of power shortages, now hopes that the country...
Kosovo Seizes Hundreds of Crypto Mining Machines in Crackdown
9.1.2022
Police in Kosovo seized another batch of over 200 mining devices as part of raids that started on Thursday. The offensive against underground crypto farms was launched after authorities in Pristina banned the power-hungry minting of digital currencies amid an energy crisis in the country....
Kazakhstan Shuts Down Banks, Internet Amid Unrest That Threatens Bitcoin Mining, Hashrate
6.1.2022
Measures imposed by authorities to quell mass protests in mining hotspot Kazakhstan are affecting cryptocurrency markets and the Bitcoin network hashrate. To deal with the civil unrest caused by rising fuel prices and a worsening economy, the government restricted access to the internet and closed...
Europe’s Securities Watchdog Seeks Feedback on Regulations Ahead of DLT Pilot
6.1.2022
ESMA, the European Securities and Markets Authority, has set out to establish if EU authorities need to amend existing regulations in order to facilitate the trading and settlement of tokenized securities. The regulator is now seeking opinions on the matter ahead of launching a pilot regime...
Kosovo Halts Cryptocurrency Mining Amid Energy Crisis
5.1.2022
The government of Kosovo has decided to suspend crypto mining activities in the country as part of measures to deal with power shortages this winter. The move has been proposed by a special parliamentary committee tasked with bridging the gap between electricity demand and supply. Kosovo...
Estonia Clarifies Upcoming Regulations, Will Not Ban Crypto Holding or Trading
4.1.2022
The government of Estonia has approved legislation tailored to improve oversight of its crypto sector which expanded rapidly due to favorable regulations and business climate. The new law, which is yet to be adopted, will introduce stricter requirements for service providers without preventing...
Indian Authorities Raid Cryptocurrency Exchanges for Tax Evasion
1.1.2022
India’s Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) reportedly raided major cryptocurrency exchanges Saturday. Their offices were searched and “massive goods and services tax (GST) evasion has been detected by DGGI.” Tax Authorities Say Cryptocurrency Exchanges Have Been...
Ex-Head of Crypto Exchange Wex Released in Poland
1.1.2022
Former chief executive of the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Wex, Dmitry Vasiliev, has been released from arrest in Warsaw earlier this month. The ex-head of the now-defunct coin trading platform has since returned to Russia while court proceedings against him in Poland are still ongoing. Polish...
Malaysia Seizes 1,720 Bitcoin Mining Machines in Electricity Theft Crackdown
1.1.2022
Police in Malaysia have shut down a bitcoin mining operation and seized 1,720 bitcoin mining machines in a major electricity theft crackdown following public complaints. “Police inspected 75 premises around the district and 30 of them were found to be carrying out illegal bitcoin mining...
Pakistan Freezes Over 1,000 Accounts and Cards Used For Crypto Trading
30.12.2021
Authorities in Pakistan have reportedly moved to seize hundreds of bank accounts and cards belonging to cryptocurrency traders. According to local media, they have been allegedly used to make transactions worth close to $300,000 through digital asset exchanges, including major platforms. Pakistan...
Iran Allows Renewable Power Plants to Supply Crypto Miners With Electricity
30.12.2021
Authorities in Iran have decided to permit power generation plants using renewable sources to sell electricity to licensed cryptocurrency miners. The move comes after the government asked mining companies to suspend activities in order to avoid winter blackouts. Crypto Miners in Iran to Mint...
Hong Kong Authorities Arrest Two Siblings Accused of Laundering $384 Million via Banks, Crypto Platform
30.12.2021
Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested two individuals accused of laundering about $384 million using various avenues including a cryptocurrency exchange trading platform. If convicted, the two face a maximum jail sentence of 14 years plus a fine of $5 million. An Indictable Offense Two people...
Iran Orders Crypto Miners to Halt Operations to Prevent Winter Blackouts
26.12.2021
Authorities in Iran have again told licensed miners to suspend their activities in the face of electricity shortages during the cold winter months. Following a period of similar restrictions this past summer, authorized companies were allowed to resume mining in September. Crypto Mining Farms...
Serbia Reviews License Applications From 3 Cryptocurrency Exchanges
26.12.2021
Three crypto exchanges have applied for licensing in Serbia, which recently adopted legislation regulating its digital asset space. The government in Belgrade expects the companies to obtain authorization within weeks and offer Serbs the option to buy and sell cryptocurrencies legally. Crypto...
FBI Collaborates With Citibank, Sony, Japanese Authorities to Seize $180 Million in Bitcoin
23.12.2021
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in collaboration with Citibank, Sony, and Japanese law enforcement, has taken action to “return more than $154 million in funds that were allegedly stolen from a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.” The U.S. Department...