anti-money laundering
FinCEN Director Warns Crypto Firms Are Not Above Anti-Money Laundering Laws
Speaking at the University of Georgetown, Kenneth Blanco, FinCEN (The United States Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) Director, blasted the crypto firm by informing them that they are not exempted from the anti-money laundering laws.
Tether Brings into Play Anti-Money Laundering Solutions with Chainalysis Tool
Tether, the most leveraged stablecoin provider based on market capitalization, has deployed a tool provided by Chainalysis, a blockchain analytical company, in its quest to have anti-money laundering (AML) compliance solutions
First Bitcoin Mixer Slapped with $60M Fine by FinCEN in Money Laundering Crackdown
FinCEN charged a Bitcoin-mixing operator with a $60 million civil money penalty for violating anti-money laundering regulations.
Pakistan Banks Develop Blockchain-based KYC Platform
The Pakistan Banks’ Association has signed a contract to develop Pakistan’s first blockchain-based national eKYC banking platform aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering capabilities while countering terror financing. The blockchain platform will also improve operational efficiencies, mainly focused on improving customer experience during onboarding.
FINRA's 2024 Oversight Report Emphasizes Crypto Asset Compliance
FINRA's 2024 Regulatory Oversight Report emphasizes compliance in crypto asset activities, emphasizing cybersecurity, anti-money laundering protocols, and transparent reporting, reflecting its commitment to guiding members in the evolving cryptocurrency world.
Senator Warren Focuses on Crypto Scam Risks for Seniors, Advocates New Legislation
Senator Warren emphasized the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, gaining bipartisan support to regulate crypto activities and protect vulnerable populations from financial fraud.
SEC Faces Criticism from Elizabeth Warren over Bitcoin ETF Approvals
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has expressed strong disapproval of the SEC's recent decision to approve 11 spot bitcoin ETFs, emphasizing the necessity of stringent anti-money laundering regulations in the cryptocurrency sector.
BaFin Declines to Classify NFTs as Securities, Recommends Case-by-Case Approach
The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority of Germany (BaFin) has stated that it is not yet prepared to classify non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as securities. While NFTs may be considered investments in certain cases, BaFin suggests that classification should be approached on a case-by-case basis. The lack of immediate exchangeability and standardization makes it unlikely that NFTs will be classified as crypto assets. However, if an NFT contains documentation of exploitation rights or ownership, it could be considered an investment. BaFin does not expect NFTs to comply with the licensing requirements of the Payment Services Supervision Act or fall under its Anti-Money Laundering supervision, except for NFTs that are considered "crypto assets."
US Court Orders Binance and Changpeng Zhao to Pay $2.7 Billion in Settlement with CFTC
A US court has imposed a $2.7 billion fine on Binance and a $150 million fine on Changpeng Zhao for violating the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations.
French Hill Challenges Warren's Anti-Money Laundering Act
U.S. Representative French Hill questions the efficacy of Senator Elizabeth Warren's Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, arguing it won't deter terrorist organizations from using cryptocurrencies. The act's broad regulatory scope, including miners and validators, sparks controversy.
KuCoin and Founders Charged with Bank Secrecy Act and Money Transmission Offenses
KuCoin, along with its founders Chun Gan and Ke Tang, has been charged with violating the Bank Secrecy Act and operating an unlicensed money transmission business, allegedly allowing its platform to be used for money laundering and terrorist financing.
MetaMask Developer ConsenSys Responds to European Banking Authority's Consultation on Anti-Money Laundering Measures
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has closed its public consultation on revising guidelines for money laundering and terrorist financing risk factors, extending the scope to include crypto-asset service providers (CASPs). ConsenSys, MetaMask's development lead, defended the EBA's approach, stating self-hosted wallets should not be considered a risk factor and praised the EBA's recognition of blockchain analytics' role in risk mitigation.
Coinbase CEO Criticizes Anti-Crypto Stance of American Politicians
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong warns that anti-crypto politicians may face strategic disadvantages in 2024 elections due to growing crypto adoption and the proposed Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act's impact.
EU Proposes Cap on Anonymous Crypto Transfers
The European Union is proposing a 1,000 euro cap on anonymous crypto transfers to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The limit would apply to transfers when a customer cannot be identified, and the proposal also caps cash transactions at 7,000 euros. The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism package is expected to be confirmed in April.
Binance Responds to U.S. Senators Letter, Excludes Financial Data
Binance has responded to a letter from U.S. Senators sent earlier this month requesting information about the crypto exchange’s operations in the country, including its balance sheet. Despite omitting financial data from the letter, Binance reportedly sent the information to U.S. regulators. In the 14-page document, Binance's chief strategy officer, Patrick Hillman, addressed the exchange's compliance history and recognized previous mistakes while claiming the firm has built solid Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering policies in recent years. However, the response failed to address the senators’ concerns about Binance’s lack of transparency.
Richard Teng Signals Unchanged Core Values at Binance Amid Leadership Transition
Richard Teng, Binance's new CEO, prioritizes user protection and appeal amid leadership changes following Changpeng Zhao's resignation and $4.3 billion legal settlement for anti-money laundering violations.
China Revamps AML Law, Targets Crypto Crimes
China is set to implement significant revisions to its Anti-Money Laundering Law by 2025, marking the first major overhaul since 2007. The amendments focus on including cryptocurrency transactions to combat rising crypto-related money laundering crimes.
Big Banks' Involvement in Drafting the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act Raises Concerns
The Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, backed by big banks and introduced by Senators Marshall and Warren, aims to regulate crypto under strict banking laws.
Circle Formally Refutes Allegations of Illicit Financing and Connections to Justin Sun
Circle denies CfA's allegations of illicit financing and Justin Sun ties, emphasizing regulatory compliance and advocating for stronger stablecoin laws, as clarified by Dante Disparte.
SEC to Regulate Binance Chain With Blockchain Analytics Firm CipherTrace
The US Securities and Exchange Commission plans to award CipherTrace blockchain analytics firm with a contract pertaining to Binance Chain.
OKEx to Shut Down Its Crypto Business Operations in South Korea by April
OKEX intends to shut down its crypto branch in South Korea. According to sources familiar with the talks, the move is attributed to new anti-money laundering regulations in the country.
OKEx Founder Troubles Not Linked to Yuan Money Laundering in China, Says Blockchain Journalist
Colin Wu, a Chinese blockchain journalist thinks it is unlikely Mingxing Xu, the founder of OKEx crypto exchange has anything to do with a Yuan money-laundering scheme.
G7 Bank Sector Higher Money Laundering Risk than Crypto Industry, Reports Mexico Financial Intelligence
According to a report released by the Financial Intelligence Unit of Mexico, the G7 banking sector was most at risk of money laundering operations.
New Zealand Police Seize about $6.7m Cryptocurrency from Jarothe n David McIvor for Alleged Money Laundering
The New Zealand police confiscated about $6.7m cryptocurrency from Jarothe n David McIvor, a software developer, in Hamilton for alleged money laundering via online movie piracy in the United States.
LocalBitcoins Seller Charged by US Homeland Security for Money Laundering
Kenneth Rhule, a localBitcoins seller is charged by the US Homeland Security for conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business. Rhule can face up to forty years in prison on account of fraudulent activity alongside illegal marijuana production and distribution.
US Justice Department Charges Six People for Laundering Drug Cartel Money Using Crypto
The US Eastern District Court of Virginia has charged six people for allegedly involved in laundering millions of dollars for Mexican drug cartels using cryptocurrency.
FinCEN Director Kenneth Blanco Warns Banks to Take Crypto AML Seriously
Kenneth Blanco, the Director of the FinCEN warned banks to seriously consider how virtual currencies should fit into their anti-money laundering (AML) policies.
Dutch Central Bank Grants First-Ever Crypto Service Registration
The Amsterdam Digital Asset Exchange (AMDAX) has secured the De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) in line with EU Anti Money Laundering guidelines.
Chainalysis Partners with Wyoming Watchdog to Fight Cybercrime and Crypto Laundering Scams
Chainalysis has announced partnered with Wyoming’s Division of Banking to fight cybercrime, crypto laundering, crypto scams, sanctions violations, and more.
US CFTC Charges BitMEX For Operating Illegal Crypto Derivatives Exchange
The United States CFTC has charged operators of BitMEX for operating an unregistered trading platform and violating anti-money laundering procedures.