Federal prosecutors charges Samurai Wallet founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill with conspiracy to commit money laundering on Wednesday, as the U.S. government continues its approach to prosecuting crypto mixing tools that may be used by illicit actors and foreign governments to hide fund transfers.
Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao Apologizes Ahead of Sentencing, 161 Others Send Letters of Support
Binance’s founder and former chief executive, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has apologised for his “poor decisions” and accepted “full responsibility” for his actions, in a letter to the judge overseeing his case.
Nigeria Directs Entities to Identify Those Dealing Crypto With Bybit, KuCoin, OKX and Binance
The Central Bank of Nigeria issued a directive on Tuesday asking financial institutions to identify persons or entities transacting in or operating Bybit, KuCoin, OKX and Binance, according to contents of the letter seen by CoinDesk.
What’s at Stake for Crypto in India As the World’s Largest Democracy Is in the Midst of Its National Election?
India’s general election in 2024 is not expected to immediately affect crypto policy, and its current – restrictive – rules are expected to continue on through the upcoming Parliamentary term.
In Mexico’s Biggest Election Yet, Crypto Remains on the Sidelines
Mexico is poised to have its biggest election ever in a few weeks, with 100 million voters choosing 628 elected officials, thousands of local officials and the president. And crypto issues will remain on the sidelines during the campaign.
Tether Will Freeze Wallets Evading Venezuelan Sanctions
Use of Tether has increased in Venezuela after the U.S. reimposed sanctions on oil exports.
Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao Should Spend 3 Years in Prison, DOJ Says
Attorneys with the U.S. Department of Justice and former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao filed their sentencing memos on Tuesday night.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo Warns of Money Laundering via Crypto and NFTs
Indonesian President Joko Widodo warned the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) to monitor the use of crypto and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for money laundering during a speech last Wednesday at the 22nd Anniversary of the National Movement for Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Prevention at the State Palace, Jakarta.
The Ever-Dwindling Chances for a Stablecoin Law
Last week, U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced a joint bill addressing how stablecoins could be regulated in the country. It’s the latest effort to try and get something done in the U.S. legislative front – but is it enough?
Jailed Binance Exec’s Bail Hearing in Nigeria Postponed Until May 17
Detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan will remain in prison in Nigeria until at least May 17, following an Abuja court’s ruling to postpone a scheduled bail hearing until after he is tried on money laundering charges.
Do Kwon, Terraform Labs Should Get $5.3B Fine, SEC Tells Court
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked a New York court to impose $5.3 billion in fines on Terraform Labs and co-founder Do Kwon for their role in the $40 billion implosion of the Terra ecosystem in 2022.
Crypto Lobbyists Sue SEC Over ‘Dealer’ Definition
A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule expanding the definition of a “dealer” to capture digital assets activity went too far, a lawsuit by the Blockchain Association and Crypto Freedom Alliance of Texas alleged.
Crypto.com Postpones South Korea Launch After Reports of Money Laundering Probe
The firm maintains the “highest” anti-money laundering standards in the industry, it said in a statement to CoinDesk.
Ripple Says $10M Penalty Enough, Rejects SEC’s Ask of $1.95B Fine in Final Judgment
Ripple Labs filed its opposition on Monday against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposal to ask a New York judge to impose a nearly $2 billion fine against the company behind the XRP Ledger blockchain.
Venezuela Looks to Tether to Bypass Sanctions: Reuters
Venezuela’s state-run oil company started experimenting with Tether in 2023.
Two SEC Lawyers Resign Following Debt Box Sanctions Fiasco: Bloomberg
Two lawyers for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were forced to resign after a federal judge sanctioned the agency last month for committing a “gross abuse of power” while attempting to secure a temporary restraining order against Utah-based crypto company Debt Box, according to a Monday report from Bloomberg.
Sam Bankman-Fried Agrees to Help FTX Investors Go After Celeb Promoters
Sam Bankman-Fried has inked a settlement agreement with a group of FTX customers who have agreed to drop their class action lawsuit against him in exchange for his help going after celebrity promoters of the collapsed exchange.
Binance Exec Who Escaped From Nigeria Has Been Found in Kenya, Faces Extradition: Reports
Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped Nigerian custody in March, could be extradited back to the country within the week, one local media outlet reported citing government sources.
Thailand to Block Access to ‘Unauthorized’ Crypto Platforms
Authorities in Thailand have decided to block “unauthorized” crypto platforms to increase the efficiency of law enforcement in solving the problem of online crime, an announcement on Friday last week said.
Indian Man Pleads Guilty to Creating Spoofed Coinbase Website, Stealing $9.5M in Crypto
According to court documents, Chirag Tomar used his ill-gotten gains to buy Rolexes, Lamborghinis, Porches and more.
