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‘Ecstasy Kingpin’ From Brockton Forfeits $2.3M in Bitcoin to Massachusetts Law Enforcement
14.3.2022
A man from Brockton, Massachusetts was sentenced to eight years in prison and forced to forfeit 59 bitcoin worth $2.3 million, after he was caught selling Xanax, ecstasy, and ketamine on the deep web. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins stressed during the announcement that the government...
UK Watchdog Asks Crypto ATM Providers to Stop Operating or ‘Face Enforcement Action’
13.3.2022
U.K. watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has told firms running crypto ATMs in the country that they are operating illegally and must therefore shut down their machines. Operators that fail to heed the warning will face enforcement action, the FCA said. Crypto ATM Providers Operating...
Report: Estonian Prime Minister Calls for Restriction of Cryptocurrencies
10.3.2022
The Prime Minister of Estonia has said cryptocurrencies must be restricted in order to address loopholes that may be used by sanctioned Russian entities to evade the punitive measures. In addition, the premier wants all Russian as well as Belarusian banks to be removed from the global payment...
FinCEN Issues ‘Red Flags’ on Potential Sanctions Evasion Using Cryptocurrency
9.3.2022
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued an advisory on Russian efforts to evade sanctions that includes a number of crypto-related red flags. However, the bureau admitted that it has not seen “widespread evasion” of its sanctions using cryptocurrency. FinCEN Warns...
South African Regulator Explains Why It Has Been Targeting Global Crypto Exchanges
8.3.2022
Brandon Topham, the head of enforcement at South Africa’s financial sector regulator, has insisted that his organization has not issued warnings to some global exchanges because they deal in crypto. Rather, the warnings have been made because the exchanges are not registered to offer...
Ukraine’s Cyberpolice Force Starts Accepting Cryptocurrency Donations
3.3.2022
As Ukraine is increasingly relying on crypto donations, its Cyberpolice force has also decided to seek help from the crypto community in the country and abroad. The unit now takes various cryptocurrencies to support law enforcement agencies and acquire essential supplies. Cyberpolice...
SEC to Crypto Companies: There Are Benefits to Self-Reporting Violations and Working With Us
1.3.2022
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revealed that there are benefits for cryptocurrency companies to self-report their violations of securities laws to the regulator. While noting that there will be no amnesty, the SEC enforcement director said, “We’ll view their...
Kazakhstan Cracks Down on Illegal Mining, Busts 13 Crypto Farms
23.2.2022
Authorities in Kazakhstan have gone after illegal crypto mining operations amid ongoing issues with electricity supply. Working together with law enforcement, the country’s energy ministry announced the closure of over a dozen facilities minting digital currencies. Government Shuts Down...
Indian Police Arrest 11 People in Cryptocurrency Scheme Defrauding 2,000 Investors
22.2.2022
Indian police have arrested 11 people so far in connection with a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme that has duped about 2,000 investors out of $5.4 million. 11 People Arrested so Far in Cryptocurrency Scam in India Indian police have cracked down on a cryptocurrency investment scheme that has duped...
New York Judge Orders Terraform Labs to Comply With SEC’s Investigative Subpoenas
21.2.2022
A recent court filing stemming from the Southern District of New York shows that a U.S. district judge has ordered the crypto startup Terraform Labs to comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) subpoenas. During the second week of November 2021, the U.S. regulator filed...
FBI Launches ‘Virtual Asset Exploitation Unit’ With Specialized Team of Crypto Experts
19.2.2022
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a new unit to tackle crypto exploitation. The new team will work with the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat “the criminal misuse of cryptocurrencies.” FBI Establishes New Crypto...
Russia Adopts Law Allowing State to Seize Illegal Funds, Digital Assets From Officials
18.2.2022
The State Duma of Russia, the lower house of parliament, has passed a law permitting law enforcement authorities to seek confiscation of illegally obtained funds from government officials, including cryptocurrency. The state may attempt to seize the assets through court if they exceed...
Trudeau’s Government Warns More Accounts Will Be Frozen — Freedom Convoy Truckers Hold Their Ground
18.2.2022
The Canadian government has warned that more financial accounts and cryptocurrency wallets will be frozen as law enforcement attempts to end the Freedom Convoy trucker protest. However, truckers are standing their ground even after the police arrested two protest organizers. Prime Minister Justin...
SEC Warns Against Interest-Bearing Crypto Accounts — Says They’re Riskier Than Bank Deposits
16.2.2022
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned investors about the “risks with accounts that pay interest on crypto-asset deposits.” The warning coincides with the first enforcement action the agency took against crypto lending platforms. SEC Warns About Risks...
First for SEC: Crypto Lending Platform Charged — Blockfi Agrees to Pay $100 Million in Penalties
15.2.2022
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged cryptocurrency lending platform Blockfi in a first-of-its-kind action. The crypto lender has agreed to pay $100 million to settle the charges and pursue necessary registrations. SEC Charges Crypto Lending Platform Blockfi The U.S....
Russia Takes Down 4 Carding Sites With Over $260 Million in Crypto Turnover
12.2.2022
Law enforcement in Russia has blocked major sites on the dark web, including a carding market leader. The platforms have been seized amid ongoing investigations into hacking groups, with Russian authorities ramping up efforts to dismantle the cybercrime rings and detain their members. Interior...
SEC Working With CFTC on Crypto Regulation, Says Chairman Gensler
12.2.2022
The chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, says the securities regulator is working with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on crypto regulation. In addition, he said the SEC is “trying to work with various crypto platforms, exchanges...
Bringing crypto market 'into the light' doesn’t address enforcement: CFTC chair
9.2.2022
"Bringing this market into the light so to speak with more transparency will only allow us to see what’s going on underneath the hood," said Rostin Behnam
$3.6 Billion in Bitcoin From the 2016 Bitfinex Hack Consolidates Into a Single Address
1.2.2022
$3.6 billion or 94,643.29 bitcoin stemming from the 2016 Bitfinex hack was moved and consolidated into a single wallet following 23 transfers. At the time of writing, the $3.6 billion in bitcoin remains idle and the trading platform Bitfinex says it “continues to work globally with...
Crypto Exchange Binance Restricts 281 Nigerian Accounts — Some Requested by International Law Enforcement
31.1.2022
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has restricted 281 Nigerian user accounts. Citing user security and fraud prevention, CEO Changpeng Zhao explained that “approximately 38% of these cases [are] restricted at the request of international law enforcement.” 281 Nigerian Accounts Restricted...