CRYPTOCURRENCY
China Dismantles $2.2 Billion Underground Banking Operation Leveraging Cryptocurrencies
Chinese authorities have dismantled a $2.2 billion underground banking network that used cryptocurrencies to bypass financial controls, seizing $28,000 worth of digital currencies.
US Toughens Export Controls on Semiconductors to China Amid Military Concerns
The US Department of Commerce tightened export controls on advanced computing semiconductors to China and other countries of concern to address national security threats posed by military modernization. The rules, effective from November 16, 2023, refine the parameters defining restricted chips, introduce a global licensing requirement, and expand controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The update also adds certain PRC entities to the Entity List, requiring a BIS license for foundries manufacturing chips for these entities.
Reuters: U.S. Aims to Thwart Chinese Access to AI Chips via Overseas Outlets
The U.S. is contemplating tightening restrictions to prevent Chinese firms from accessing American AI chips via overseas outlets, reinforcing its stance on curbing China's AI military advancements. The move comes amid existing challenges in enforcing export controls, with the new rules expected to broaden the scope of restrictions on the AI chip market.
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Stricter Export Controls on Advanced Semiconductors to China
Two senior Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have called on the Biden administration to tighten export controls on advanced semiconductors to China. The lawmakers, Michael McCaul and Mike Gallagher, chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Select Committee on China respectively, expressed concerns over the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) lax enforcement of existing rules. The call for action comes amid advancements by China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) and Huawei Technologies.
FTX Control Failures
FTX CEO John Ray III revealed that control failures at FTX were due to a lack of appropriate financial and accounting controls, inadequate group management structure, and the use of software not suitable for large companies. The multi-billion dollar company was managed by inexperienced founders who relied on a hodgepodge of online shared documents and communications.
IOTA Foundation and Jaguar Land Rover Introduce Open-Source DLT Framework
IOTA Foundation, a distributed-ledger technology developer, and Jaguar Land Rover, a leading British luxury car manufacturer, have introduced IOTA Access.
Jihan Wu Regains Control Of China Bitcoin Miner Making Giant Bitmain
Jihan Wu has regained his status as legal representative and executive director of Bitmain stripping Micree Zhan of broad controlling powers.
Paxful Exits Venezuela’s P2P Crypto Bitcoin Market Following US Sanctions
Paxful has withdrawn its crypto trading services from Venezuela after the country was classified as high-risk by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Bitcoin Ad in Hong Kong Apple Daily Publication Promotes Bitcoin As Beyond Government Control
In the Hong Kong Apple Daily today, a full-page ad was dedicated to Bitcoin, calling on Hong Kongers to move their wealth beyond the control of “any” government.
CFTC Demands $572 Million in Penalty and Restitution for Bitcoin Scam, Defendant Nowhere to be Found
US CFTC demanded that the founder of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency scam company Control-Finance pay $572 million in penalty and restitution fees for Bitcoin fraud.