sanctions
Jury Trial will Decide if Ethereum Dev Nigel Griffith Helped North Korea Evade Sanctions
Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith has been accused by the US Department of Justice of aiding North Korea (DPRK) in evading sanctions and will now face trial by jury.
US Sanctions Crypto Addresses of Russian Hackers Accused of Running Presidential Election Interference
The US has released a sanctions list of Russians and their crypto addresses, under allegations that they have been interfering with the presidential election.
Iranian General Pushes for Crypto Use to Evade US Sanctions and After Being Blacklisted by the FATF
Saeed Muhammad, a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ “Army of Guardians of the Islamic Revolution,” called for Iran to use cryptocurrencies to bypass sanctions imposed on his country by the United States.
North Korea Is Developing Own Crypto to Circumvent US Sanctions
North Korea has always been suspected for either indirectly or directly funding weapons or involved in some powerful projects of mass destruction using virtual currencies. The nation, recently, was accused of stealing cryptocurrencies worth $2 billion to facilitate the development of deadly weapons.
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Paxful has withdrawn its crypto trading services from Venezuela after the country was classified as high-risk by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
OFAC to Begin Sanctioning Companies Facilitating Ransomware Payments
The OFAC may begin sanctioning US nationals and institutions that help facilitate payments in a ransomware attack.
UK Requests Crypto Exchanges to Report Suspected Sanction Breaches
The UK authorities have introduced the new rules in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The regulations cover all valuable digital assets.
US Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Iranian-Linked Ransomware Gang
The United States Treasury Department through the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) has updated its sanctions list with new targets focusing on ransomware gangs affiliated with the Iranian military.
US Treasury Updates FAQ on Sanctioned Tornado Cash
The Treasury Department assured the public that no one will be prosecuted for sharing the codes of Tornado Cash and that they can be used in an educational setting.
Mastercard Pulls Russian Banks from its Payment Network
American payment services giant Mastercard has cut off Russian financial institutions from its payment network.
UN Investigates North Korea on Cyberattacks Funding WMD
The U.N. experts are currently investigating 35 cases in 17 countries where North Koreas were using cyberattacks to raise money for the military objective.
US National Security at Risk Due to China Dominance in Mobile Payments, says former State Department Official
Former Department of State official Anja Manuel warns that if the US loses its dominance in financial innovation and payments, it could impact its national security policy, specifically on sanctions. Manuel stated that China is catching up on dominance in mobile payments, which could make enforcing sanctions against “bad actors” like Iran or North Korea more challenging.
OFAC Designates Nordic Resistance Movement as SDGT
OFAC sanctions Nordic Resistance Movement for violent extremism and crypto-funded terrorism.
OFAC Sanctions Russian UAV Developer KB Vostok Amid Ukraine Conflict
OFAC imposes sanctions on Russian drone developer KB Vostok, linked to Ukraine invasion, disrupting Russia’s military supply chain.
Russia Legalizes Crypto Mining and Payments Amid Sanctions
In response to Western sanctions, Russia has enacted legislation legalizing cryptocurrency mining and international payments, a strategic pivot aimed at mitigating economic pressures.
National Bank of Georgia Enhances Sanction Monitoring, Includes Virtual Asset Service Providers
The Acting President of the National Bank of Georgia, Archil Mestvirishvili, stated that the bank has not only been monitoring the observance of financial sanctions but also expanded its oversight to virtual asset service providers.
Tornado Cash Community Fund Signatories Relinquish their Positions
The signatories to Tornado Cash's community funds have relinquished their role, automatically ceding control of the funds to the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO).
Breaking: Binance Sells Russian Operations to CommEX, Exits Market
Binance has announced the sale of its entire Russia business to CommEX, citing compliance issues as the primary reason for the exit. The transition process for existing Russian users is expected to take up to one year, with no financial strings attached to the deal for Binance.
Blender is relaunched as Sinbad
Elliptic, a crypto risk management organization, hypothesized that Blender renamed to Sinbad to "earn confidence from users" and escape fines.
Coinbase Amplifies Anti-Terrorism Financing Measures Through Blockchain Analytics
Coinbase, on October 17, 2023, outlined its robust measures to curb terrorism financing and other illicit activities through a rigorous compliance framework and blockchain analytics. The discourse emphasizes the importance of regulatory clarity in the U.S to minimize offshore risks associated with digital assets. With a dedicated team and technological tools, Coinbase demonstrates a proactive approach in maintaining the integrity of the crypto ecosystem.
Tornado Cash Now Placed Under US OFAC Sanctions
The United States Treasury Department has barred Tornado Cash from offering any form of transactions to individuals in the US.
US National Security at Risk Due to China’s Dominance in Mobile Payments, says former State Department Official
Former Department of State official Anja Manuel warns that if the US loses its dominance in financial innovation and payments, it could impact its national security policy, specifically on sanctions. Manuel stated that China is catching up on dominance in mobile payments, which could make enforcing sanctions against “bad actors” like Iran or North Korea more challenging.
CFTC Whistleblower Program Gains Traction with $16 Million Awarded in 2023
The CFTC's Whistleblower Program in 2023 awarded $16 million to whistleblowers, contributing to over $3 billion in enforcement sanctions. Recognizing their role in combating financial fraud, the program now focuses on environmental fraud through a task force.
CoinList Settles with OFAC for $1.2 Million Over Crimea Sanctions Violations
CoinList settles with OFAC for $1.2 million over transactions for users in Crimea, promising to invest $300,000 in compliance enhancements.
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.
Ethereum is Getting Closed to Being Completely Censored Because of OFAC Regulations
Ethereum is becoming more compliant with OFAC sanctions per on-chain data
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.
Crypto Lending Firm Delio Faces Regulatory Sanctions for Compliance Failures in South Korea
South Korean crypto asset management firm Delio has been fined KRW 1.896 billion and suspended for three months by the Financial Services Commission's Financial Intelligence Unit due to non-compliance with financial transaction laws.
U.S. sanctions: Customers suing Compass Mining
Compass Mining customers are suing for $2 million for fraud. The firm terminated connections with Russian hosting provider Bit River and didn't restore clients' Bitcoin machines. It cut connections with Bit River over non-applicable US sanctions.
Baidu's Stock Tumbles Amid Military Testing Rumors of AI Chatbot Ernie
Reports of Baidu’s AI chatbot Ernie Bot undergoing military testing led to an 11.5% drop in its stock, reflecting investor concerns over potential U.S. sanctions and the intricate challenges facing Chinese AI companies in the global tech landscape.
A British National Charged With Aiding North Korea in Violating US sanctions
Despite the DoJ's crypto financial sanctions targeting Russia, local authorities helped their American colleagues.
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.
Iran Joins BRICS to Reduce Reliance on Western Economic Systems
Iran joins BRICS, aiming to mitigate US sanctions and challenge Western economic dominance, amidst mixed reactions and uncertain benefits.
Venezuela's Petro Cryptocurrency to Cease Operations
Venezuela ends its Petro cryptocurrency, a failed oil-backed digital currency initiative aimed at evading U.S. sanctions. Launched in 2018, it struggled for adoption due to legal issues, limited functionality, and lack of international interest.
Tornado Cash Founders Face Legal Action Over Money Laundering and Sanctions Violations
Tornado Cash co-founders Roman Storm and Roman Semenov have been indicted for money laundering, sanctions violations, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The US Treasury added Semenov to its list, preventing US residents from using the platform.
Tornado Cash Token Plummets Following Binance Delisting Announcement
The Tornado Cash token's value significantly decreased following Binance's delisting announcement, amid regulatory and market compliance issues in the cryptocurrency sector.
Allegations of fraud against Compass Mining after company cuts ties with Russian
Compass Mining customers are suing for $2 million for fraud. The firm terminated connections with Russian hosting provider Bit River and didn't restore clients' Bitcoin machines. It cut connections with Bit River over non-applicable US sanctions.
Debunking Overblown Claims on Crypto and Terrorism Financing
Chainalysis debunks inflated claims on cryptocurrency's role in terrorism financing, emphasizing the predominant use of traditional fiat-based channels by terrorist groups. The analysis highlights the challenges and common misconceptions in tracing terrorist fund flows on the blockchain, particularly concerning service provider identification.
Venezuela Wants Citizens to Pay Taxes in State-Issued Petro Cryptocurrency
Venezuela is moving on a mandate that could see taxes being collected using its state-issued cryptocurrency—the oil-backed Petro. The effort is part of a nation-wide campaign to create mainstream use cases for Venezuela’s cryptocurrency.
The Russia-Ukraine War Might Accelerate CBDC Issuance, Former BOJ Official Says
The sanctions slapped on Russia based on its invasion of Ukraine might prompt more nations to adopt CBDCs as a shield against the U.S. dollar’s supremacy in the global financial system.
Robinhood Seeks Sanctions Investigators ahead of Self-Custody Crypto Wallet Launch
Robinhood is hiring more specialists to work in the finance crimes compliance unit as the platform may be broadening its offerings.
Coinbase Backs Lawsuit against US Treasury over Tornado Cash Sanctions
A group of crypto users are challenging the US Treasury Department's sanctions of Tornado Cash in court. Coinbase is backing the legal action.
Kraken Under Probe for Allegedly Violating US Sanctions on Iran
The US Treasury Department is investigating Kraken on suspicion that the crypto exchange allowed Iranian users to use its trading platform despite federal sanctions on the middle eastern country.
Coin Center Files Lawsuit against Treasury over Tornado Cash Sanctions
Backing a second lawsuit, Coin Center sues the Treasury Department and the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) over its sanctions on the Ethereum mixer, Tornado Cash.
EU Council Expands Sanctions on Crypto Wallets, Targeting Russian Officials
The European Union Council has imposed another round of sanctions on Russia with an extended ban on crypto-focused transactions for already blacklisted Russian individuals and their relatives.
The US Treasury Department Imposes Sanction on Suex Crypto Exchange, Accused of Facilitating Ransomware Transactions
The US Treasury Department said in a statement that Suex cryptocurrency exchange has been aiding ransomware actors to attack businesses and government entities.
EU Imposes 8th Wave Sanctions over Russia to Include Blanket Crypto Ban
The European Union (EU) has updated its sanction on Russia, the 8th package, and this time, it unveils zero tolerance for crypto-related transactions.
US Treasury Department Imposes Sanctions on Russian Crypto Mining Firm Bitriver
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia last over 2 months, The U.S. strengthens sanctions over Russia, adding Bitriver to the sanctions list in connection with its ties to the Russian economy.
Binance Has Enabled Iranians Transact $8 Billion Despite Sanctions
Since 2018, crypto exchange Binance has carried out Iranian transactions worth $8 billion despite being slapped with U.S. sanctions
Tornado Cash Sees about 80% Deposit Decline following OFAC Sanctions: Report
In just about a week since the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control placed a ban on the crypto mixer, Tornado Cash, the total deposits on the platform have plummeted remarkably.
Binance Continues to Provide Services to Unrestricted Russians Despite EU Sanction
Binance exchange is still serving nonsanctioned Russian users according to one of its Executives
Tornado Cash Developer Arrested by Dutch Authorities
The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) has arrested a suspect in connections to money laundering crimes on the crypto mixing platform, Tornado Cash
Russia’s Central Bank Makes U Turn about Crypto Usage in International Payments
As a change of tune, Russia’s central bank is relieving its previous tough stance about cryptocurrencies by allowing their usage in international payments, as reported by Reuters.
Russia Updates Regulations on Crypto Transactions, Harsh Fines Reserved for Defaulters
Russia’s Ministry of Finance has issued an amendment to its current cryptocurrency regulations. The amendments also come with stricter sanctions.
US Treasury Sanctions Two Men Accused of Laundering Crypto for North Korean Cyber Crime Syndicate
The US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Asset Control has sanctioned two men believed to involved in laundering stolen cryptocurrency from a 2018 cyberattack against a cryptocurrency exchange.
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.
Maduro: Venezuela to Activate Crypto Payment Method ‘Soon’
Taking a page from North Korea, Venezuela is looking to skirt U.S. sanctions by using crypto. According to Bloomberg, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced a crypto payment method that they will activate “very soon.”
Venezuela’s Central Bank Considers the Potential of Bitcoin and Ethereum
In the face of global isolation from international financial systems and imposed US sanctions on state-run PSDV (Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.) , Venezuelan’s Central Bank is looking to explore Bitcoin and Ethereum payment systems.
Ethereum Developer Indicted for Blockchain and Crypto Expertise Sharing in North Korea
A judge has ruled that the U.S. Department of Justice has enough evidence to move to trial against Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith after he allegedly aided in the circumvention of U.S. Sanctions that have been placed on the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea.
Goldman Sachs' Yuan Crash Forecast Could Affect Bitcoin Price, Bull Run Ahead?
Goldman Sachs is expecting the Chinese yuan to fall to its lowest since 2008 in the coming months due to the existing US-China trade war, and now the US potential sanctions on China over its feud over Hong Kong. US President Donald Trump has announced earlier that he will be looking to end preferential treatment for Hong Kong in terms of trade and visa-free travel, due to the new security law for Hong Kong approved by Beijing. The yuan has been forecasted by Goldman Sachs to fall to 7.25 per dollar during the next three months before recovering to 7.15 per dollar over six months, then to 7 per dollar in the next year. As the firm sees the yuan falling to its 2008 low, the potential for Bitcoin to experience an explosive price rally has been raised.