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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...
Upcoming AML Regulations in Estonia to Affect Cryptocurrency Industry
12.3.2022
Estonia is preparing to enforce a set of new anti-money laundering rules that will stiffen requirements for crypto companies operating under Estonian license. The changes come amid concerns that Russia may use crypto to evade western sanctions and an ongoing audit of the Baltic nation’s...
Consolidation and centralization: How Europe’s new AML regulation will affect crypto
11.3.2022
With plans for a new watchdog, experts say the EU could take a more hardline position on digital assets
Pakistan’s Central Bank Sees Few Good Use Cases for Crypto Citing ‘a Lot of Misuses’ Worldwide
9.3.2022
The central bank of Pakistan does not see many good use cases for crypto. However, the regulator cites “a lot of misuses” of cryptocurrency around the world, “including human rights violations, trafficking of people, money laundering, and many other things.” Pakistani...
Report: Official Says Switzerland May ‘Target’ Crypto Assets Belonging to Sanctioned Russians
7.3.2022
Neutral Switzerland may target crypto assets within its territory that belong to sanctioned Russian entities, a report has said. The report quotes an official who explains that the move is designed to protect the integrity of the country’s cryptocurrency industry. The official, however...
Report: Israel Defense Ministry Seized Crypto Wallets Holding Hamas-Destined Funds
1.3.2022
Israel’s Defense Ministry seized cryptocurrency wallets holding funds that were destined for Hamas, a report has said. The wallets belonged to businesses that are associated with Al’matchadun currency exchange, which itself is accused of helping to funnel funds to Hamas. Seizure Order...
Seizure of Bitfinex funds is a reminder that crypto is no good for money launderers
26.2.2022
Law enforcement’s robust capacity to follow the money on the blockchain is good news for the crypto industry
Crypto Exchange Bitmex’s Founders Plead Guilty to Bank Secrecy Act Violations
26.2.2022
The founders of cryptocurrency derivatives exchange Bitmex, Arthur Hayes and Benjamin Delo, have pled guilty to violations of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act. “As a result of its willful failure to implement AML and KYC programs, Bitmex was in effect a money-laundering platform,” said...
BitMEX founders plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act violations
25.2.2022
Arthur Hayes and Benjamin Delo will each have to pay a fine for their part in flouting the Bank Secrecy Act and operating what the DOJ called a “money laundering platform.”
EU Wants New Anti-Money Laundering Authority to Have Crypto Oversight: Report
24.2.2022
The EU is setting up an anti-money laundering watchdog, and leaders want it to have strict oversight of crypto firms
EU Members Want to Task New AML Watchdog With Crypto Oversight, Report Unveils
24.2.2022
A group of EU nations have reportedly been lobbying to entrust oversight of the crypto space to a new anti-money laundering (AML) agency. Behind the move are concerns that companies dealing with digital assets can be engaged in the processing of illicit funds. Germany Leads Push to Place Crypto...
Credit Suisse data leak reveals decades of shady clients and activity
21.2.2022
Swiss bank secrecy laws have protected Credit Suisse from having to disclose whether it was banking criminal activity, which is a far cry from the transparency blockchain technology offers
US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Mitigate Risks From El Salvador Adopting Bitcoin as Legal Tender
18.2.2022
Several U.S. lawmakers have introduced a bill to mitigate the risks from El Salvador adopting bitcoin as legal tender. “El Salvador recognizing bitcoin as official currency opens the door for money laundering cartels and undermines U.S. interests,” said a U.S. senator. US Concerned...
Spanish Civil Guard Busts Organization Dedicated to Laundering Money With Crypto
16.2.2022
The Spanish Civil Guard has broken up a group that used cryptocurrencies as a tool to launder money. The organization, that operated in Madrid, supposedly lent these services to other criminal organizations. The MAUNA operations, as they were called by the Spanish Civil Guard, discovered phantom...
Report Attributes Large Share of Global Crypto Crime to Russia, Moscow City
16.2.2022
The growing popularity of cryptocurrencies has placed Russia among the leaders in adoption. But while it is yet to reach the top of the ranking, the country already has a “disproportionate share” of global activity related to some forms of crime involving cryptocurrency, according...
Trudeau Invokes Emergencies Act to End Freedom Convoy Protests — Canada’s Terrorist Financing Rules Now Cover Crypto
15.2.2022
The Canadian government has invoked the Emergencies Act to deal with the Freedom Convoy protests, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The scope of Canada’s anti-money laundering and terrorist financing rules is also broadened to cover crowdfunding platforms and “all forms...
Bitfinex money laundering: Husband faces pre-trial detention, wife gets bail
15.2.2022
The judge ordered pre-trial detention for Ilya Lichtenstein claiming he had the motive and the resources to flee and could become a flight risk
Laundering via digital pictures? A new twist in the regulatory discussion around NFTs
12.2.2022
From money laundering concerns to the categorization dilemma, these topics will define the emerging regulatory discussion around NFTs
Netflix announces new series on Bitfinex hack involving 120,000 Bitcoin
12.2.2022
The Netflix documentary will be about a New York-based couple and their link to laundering nearly 120,000 BTC tied to the crime
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...