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Jack Dorsey’s Block Faces DOJ Probe Over Alleged Transactions With Sanctioned Nations and Terrorist Groups
2.5.2024
Department of Justice (DOJ) federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York are investigating fintech company Block, formerly known as Square, for significant compliance failures in its transaction monitoring systems after a former employee revealed lapses that included processing...
Nigeria Cryptocurrency Clampdown: Central Bank Directs Fintech Firms to Stop Opening New Accounts
1.5.2024
The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed four fintech companies to cease the creation of new accounts, citing their potential use by cryptocurrency traders. An executive from one of the affected fintech companies has associated the Central Bank’s directive with a current audit of the Know Your...
Nigerian Currency Reverses Early April Gains, Depreciating by 12% in Seven Days
28.4.2024
The Naira recently depreciated by 12% in just seven days, thus shedding all the gains it made against the U.S. dollar in early April. Local media reports attribute the volatile naira’s latest drop to the growing mismatch between the supply and demand of foreign exchange. Demand and Supply Mismatch...
Russia Warns US of Further Aggravation After Funding Bill Passes Amid Heightened Geopolitical Strife
22.4.2024
Amid ongoing global tensions, the price of gold remains robust at $2,391 per troy ounce, while bitcoin continues to trade at a 12% deficit from its peak value. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a series of funding bills for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Following the bill’s...
Nigerian Central Bank Governor Denies Using Forex Reserves to Defend Local Currency
20.4.2024
The Nigerian central bank governor has refuted claims that the bank is using the country’s foreign exchange reserves to shore up the naira. The governor attributes the decline in reserves to debt repayments and other payments, which are made because they help to maintain Nigeria’s...
Edward Snowden Sounds Alarm on NSA’s Plans to Expand Surveillance Under New FISA Amendment
16.4.2024
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has warned that the National Security Agency (NSA) is on the verge of significantly expanding its surveillance capabilities through a new bill amending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), potentially allowing the government to compel...
Nigerian Central Bank Prohibits Use of Foreign Exchange as Collateral for Local Currency Loans
10.4.2024
The Central Bank of Nigeria has barred the use of foreign exchange as collateral for local currency loans. In its April 8 letter addressed to banks, the CBN warned of severe consequences for banks that fail to comply with the latest directive. Halting the Slide of the Naira Hamstrung by ongoing...
Beijing Police Uncovers Illegal Sale of Citizen Information Involving $282M Worth of Crypto
8.4.2024
The Beijing police, in collaboration with the Beijing Branch of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, has uncovered a series of cases involving the illegal sale of citizen information using cryptocurrency.
The post Beijing Police Uncovers Illegal Sale of Citizen Information Involving $282M...
Zimbabwe’s Central Bank Launches Gold-and Forex-Backed ‘Structured Currency’
6.4.2024
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has introduced a foreign exchange and gold-backed “structured currency” to replace the struggling local currency. The structured currency banknotes will be “fully convertible into the reserve currency on demand.” The central bank has also reduced...
Tron’s Parent Company Seeks Dismissal of SEC Lawsuit, Citing ‘Predominantly Foreign Conduct’
1.4.2024
The entity behind the layer-1 blockchain Tron has requested the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the SEC against it, arguing that the regulator's focus on "predominantly foreign conduct" goes beyond its jurisdiction.
The post Tron’s Parent Company Seeks Dismissal of SEC Lawsuit, Citing...
U.S. Sanctions Hezbollah Crypto Operator Linked to Terrorist Funding
26.3.2024
A hawala operator who worked with agents from Hezbollah on cryptocurrency funding infrastructure has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the federal agency announced Tuesday. Tawfiq Muhammad Said Al-Law is accused of providing digital wallets to...
US Sanctions Russian Crypto Entities Following Potential Sanctions Evasions
26.3.2024
The U.S. has hit Russian crypto-related entities and individuals with additional sanctions following potential prior evasions aimed at funding the Putin-led country’s war against Ukraine, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) revealed Monday. The latest announcement from OFAC marks the second...
US Treasury Targets Russian Blockchain Companies for Sanctions Evasion
26.3.2024
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Monday sanctioned 13 entities and two individuals. They are accused of developing crypto-related services that could facilitate sanctions evasion on behalf of Russian nationals.
The post US Treasury Targets Russian...
UN Report: Crypto Crime Provided North Korea up to Half of Its Foreign Currency Income
23.3.2024
A report issued by a United Nations panel of experts has concluded that cyber crypto heists have provided 50% of the foreign currency income for North Korea since 2017. The report indicated that North Korean actors have been linked to 17 theft and hack events involving over $750 million in 2023...
North Korea’s Cyber Activities and Crypto Theft Fuel Half of Foreign Currency Revenue: UN
21.3.2024
North Korea has been actively involved in "malicious" cyber activities, contributing to nearly half of its foreign currency revenue and funding its weapons programs.
The post North Korea’s Cyber Activities and Crypto Theft Fuel Half of Foreign Currency Revenue: UN appeared first on Cryptonews
Court Orders Binance to Hand Over ‘Comprehensive’ User Data to Nigerian Authorities
20.3.2024
A Nigerian high court has ordered Binance to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with comprehensive data relating to all Nigerian traders on its platform. The EFCC alleges it has discovered instances of price discovery, confirmation, and market manipulation on the Binance...
China’s Central Bank Publishes Digital Yuan Guide for Foreign Visitors
18.3.2024
The People’s Bank of China publishes a digital yuan service guide for foreign visitors, detailing steps to download apps, open wallets, link accounts, and complete payments.
The post China’s Central Bank Publishes Digital Yuan Guide for Foreign Visitors appeared first on Cryptonews
Nigeria Proposes Rule Requiring Foreign Crypto Exchanges to Incorporate in the Country
17.3.2024
The Nigerian Securities Regulator has proposed a rule requiring virtual asset service providers to be incorporated and maintain an office within Nigeria. The regulator has also suggested a fivefold increase in the registration fee, which must be submitted alongside license applications from...
Economic Intelligence Unit: Nigerian Central Bank Lacks Capacity to Defend Local Currency
12.3.2024
The Economic Intelligence Unit has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria cannot halt the rapid depreciation of the local currency. The continued volatility of the naira is expected to result in erratic regulation, primarily affecting businesses that hold foreign exchange. Nigeria Presses Ahead...
Egypt Devalues Currency, Raises Interest Rates to Fulfill Key IMF Aid Requirement
8.3.2024
Authorities in Egypt recently allowed the local currency’s exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar to decrease by more than 60%. Additionally, the central bank raised interest rates by 600 basis points. Both steps were key conditions set by the IMF which Egypt had to meet before the approval of a...