hamas
Terrorist Groups Use Telegram for Raising Cryptocurrencies
Terrorist groups, including ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Hamas, are using several social media platforms, including Telegram, to raise funds via cryptocurrencies.
FinCEN Issues Alert to Counter Financing to Hamas and its Terrorist Activities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued an alert to financial institutions, urging vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activities related to the financing of the terrorist organization Hamas. The alert comes in the wake of a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which was funded through various means, including virtual currency.
US Treasury Targets Hamas Financial Networks Post-Israel Attack
In a strategic move following the recent terrorist attack on Israel, the US Treasury designated ten key individuals and entities affiliated with Hamas, targeting their financial networks across several countries. This action accentuates the broader US initiative to choke off Hamas’s financial resources, while spotlighting the emerging challenges posed by virtual currencies in terror financing.
SBF Submits Fresh Bahamas Supreme Court Bail Application
Sam Bankman-Fried has allegedly applied for bail again in the Bahamas Supreme Court. Money laundering, wire fraud, and securities fraud are among the eight U.S. allegations against the FTX founder. A court granted bail on December 13 because the crypto executive was a flight risk. On December 15, local media reported that he had filed the application and it will be considered in court in January.
Elliptic Debunks Claims of Substantial Crypto Funding to Hamas
Elliptic, a blockchain analytics firm, refuted claims of significant cryptocurrency funding to Hamas, following a wave of reports and a letter from US lawmakers to the White House. The firm highlighted the lack of substantial evidence supporting the alleged $130 million crypto funding between August 2021 and June 2023. Despite historical endeavors by Hamas to solicit crypto donations, recent analysis reveals that the amounts garnered remain minuscule compared to the figures cited in misinformed reports.
Japan Freezes Assets Linked to Hamas Funding
Japan has frozen the assets of nine individuals and a cryptocurrency firm accused of financing Hamas, following US sanctions. This move is part of a global effort to disrupt militant group financing channels, focusing on the challenges of virtual currencies in facilitating illicit financial flows.
Binance Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Support for Hamas in Israel Attack
Three families of victims from the Hamas attack on Israel have filed a lawsuit against Binance, its former CEO Changpeng Zhao, Iran, and Syria, alleging their support for terrorism. The suit claims these parties provided substantial assistance to Hamas, spotlighting the challenges of regulating cryptocurrency in combating terrorism financing.
U.S. Intensifies Sanctions on Hamas, Targeting Crypto Assets
The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group, following their attack on Israel, focusing on their use of cryptocurrency assets. The sanctions include sanctions on officials, a Gaza-based crypto exchange, and individuals involved in Hamas' financial operations.
Joint Sanctions by U.S., UK, Australia Target Hamas's Crypto Financing Networks
The U.S., UK, and Australia have imposed a fifth round of sanctions targeting Hamas's cryptocurrency transfer networks, aiming to disrupt the financial infrastructure that supports terrorist activities in Gaza.
The Bahamas Regulator Denies Requesting FTX To Manufacture New Tokens
The allegations made by FTX debtors have been rejected by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB), which also expresses worry over the fact that the inquiry has been hampered. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SCB) had to issue a statement on January 3 clarifying that it had to address significant misstatements made by John J. Ray III. According to the attorneys for FTX, the government of the Bahamas is said to have demanded that Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, launch a new cryptocurrency that would be controlled by local authorities.
Coinbase Legal Chief Urges Swift US Crypto Legislation Amid Israel-Hamas Tensions
Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, emphasized the importance of preventing cryptocurrency misuse and advocated for sensible crypto legislation in the US amidst geopolitical unrest involving Israel and Hamas. Grewal highlighted Coinbase's proactive measures like KYC checks and law enforcement partnerships to curb illicit activities on its platform. The discourse also spurred reactions from the crypto community regarding asset seizures and the role of other crypto exchanges like Binance.
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.
Mastercard Tapped to Issue Prepaid Cards Linked to Bahamas’ Central Bank Digital Currency
Mastercard has partnered with the Central Bank of The Bahamas and Island Pay to issue prepaid cards that would allow people of Bahamas to instantly convert the Bahamas’ CBDC to cash during purchases.
The Bahamas Becomes First Country to Launch its CBDC, the ‘Sand Dollar’
The Bahamas has launched the Sand Dollar, making it the first country in the world to officially release a central bank digital currency (CBDC) beyond the testing phase.
The Bahamas Racing Ahead with the Sand Dollar
The Bahamas are rolling out their Sand Dollar digital currency across the island chain and look to be ahead of some of the larger countries around the world.
Bahamas Ranks First as The Country with Most Advanced Retail CBDC Development
The Bahamas narrowly beats Cambodia because its CBDC is available to all citizens.
Bahamas’ Sand Dollar CBDC Begins Facial-Recognition Rollout to Authorize Mobile Payments
Millions of Bahamas smartphone users have started using facial recognition technology to authenticate Sand Dollar CBDC payments made through smart devices.
The Bahamas Central Bank Digital Currency Will Be Rolled Out in October
The Bahamas Central Bank has announced its CBDC, dubbed Sand Dollars, will be ready by next month for roll out.
Bahamas Looks to Deploy its CBDC The Sand Dollar Across Borders
The Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBOB) has says it wants its digital currency dubbed the Sand Dollars integrated with other countries' currency.
Crypto Exchange FTX Relocates its HQ to the Bahamas from Hong Kong
Digital assets derivatives exchange FTX reportedly has relocated their headquarter to Nassau, the Bahamas, from Hong Kong, citing fewer regulation restrictions on the island nation.
Crypto Exchange OKX Opens Regional Office in the Bahamas
OKX Exchange has created a new offshoot in the Bahamas after being registered
Democrats Request Trump Administration Briefing on Enormous Seizure of Cryptocurrency Terrorism Funding
House Democrats have asked the Trump Administration for a debriefing on the enormous Bitcoin and crypto seizure intended for Hamas, al-Qaeda, and Islamic State terrorists.
US Government Seize Bitcoin Terrorism Funding for Islamic State and Al-Qaeda
The US Justice Department has revealed that it has seized cryptocurrency worth millions of dollars intended to fund the activities of terror groups like the military arm of Hamas, the Islamic State, and Al-Qaeda. This breakthrough is the largest clampdown on online terrorist fundraising,
French Police Arrest 29 People for Financing Syrian Islamist Terrorists Using Bitcoin Coupons
French police have apprehended 29 individuals suspected of funding Islamist extremists in Syria using cryptocurrencies.
BitMEX Founder Ben Delo Surrenders and Will Face Trial on Charges of Failing to Implement AML Programs
Ben Delo has surrendered himself to US authorities to clear his name in court and defend against the charges.
ISIS Millions Could Be Hidden in Cryptocurrency Ready-to-Fund War Chest
There is fear that missing ISIS’s £246 million may have been hidden in cryptocurrency waiting to be used for war chest.