MONEY LAUNDERING
US House Committee to Probe Crypto Crimes in November Hearing
The US House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing today, November 15, 2023, to examine illicit cryptocurrency activities, including money laundering and terrorist financing, and discuss the Department of Justice's focus on these crimes.
SafeMoon CEO's Bail Release Suspended Due to Flight Risk Concerns
SafeMoon CEO Braden John Karony's bail release has been postponed due to potential flight risk and community danger following allegations of financial fraud and money laundering.
OneCoin's Former Legal Head Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Money Laundering
Irina Dilkinska, former OneCoin legal head, has admitted to wire fraud and money laundering charges in the cryptocurrency pyramid scheme, facing a potential ten-year prison term, while co-founder Ruja Ignatova remains fugitive.
Legal Team of Samuel Bankman-Fried Seeks to Question Involvement of FTX Lawyers in $300 Million Loans
Samuel Bankman-Fried's defense team has submitted a letter to U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, seeking permission to question the involvement of FTX lawyers in the issuance of loans worth up to $300 million from Alameda Research to Gary Wang. The request comes after an October 1 court ruling provisionally barred any mention of FTX lawyers' involvement without prior permission. The defense aims to establish Bankman-Fried's good faith and lack of criminal intent in the ongoing money laundering case.
$265M in BTC Withdrawn from Binance in 2018 Suspected of Money Laundering
A Bitcoin address, 1EU2pMence1UfifCco2UHJCdoqorAtpT7, has been accused of laundering $265 million through Bitcoin mixers. The transactions, which were all on-chain, have sparked debate among crypto enthusiasts.
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.
European Union Introduces Comprehensive Crypto Law
The European Union has introduced a new crypto licensing regime called Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), making it the first major jurisdiction in the world to introduce a comprehensive crypto law. The EU also voted in favor of a Transfer of Funds regulation that requires crypto operators to identify their customers in a bid to halt money laundering.
Turkish Crypto Exchange Founder Arrested
Thodex founder, Faruk Fatih Ozer, has been arrested upon his arrival at Istanbul airport after two years on the run. Ozer faces charges of fraud and money laundering, relating to allegations of an exit scam involving at least $2 billion worth of cryptocurrency stolen from Thodex.
Tornado Cash Developer Set to be Released
Tornado Cash developer, Alex Pertsev, who was arrested last August for his alleged involvement in money laundering through the crypto mixing service, is set to be released after spending nearly nine months in prison.
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.
Former OneCoin Executive Charged with Fraud
Irina Dilkinska, a former executive of fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme OneCoin, has been charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Dilkinska faces up to 40 years in prison and is accused of aiding in the laundering of over $400 million of OneCoin's proceeds.
FDIC Requires Potential Buyers of Failed U.S. Banks to Give Up Crypto Services
The FDIC has asked banks interested in acquiring failed U.S. lenders, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, to submit bids by March 17. The authority will only accept bids from banks with an existing bank charter, prioritizing traditional lenders over private equity firms. The FDIC has also required any buyer of Signature to agree to give up all cryptocurrency business at the bank. This news comes amid concerns expressed by U.S. Representative Tom Emmer that the federal government is “weaponizing” issues around the banking industry to go after crypto.
Signature Bank Under Investigation by US Government Bodies
Signature Bank is reportedly under investigation by both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice over concerns that the bank did not take adequate measures to detect potential money laundering by its clients. The bank was closed on March 12 as part of a series of bank closures that also included Silvergate Capital and Silicon Valley Bank.
Bitcoin of America indicted for operating unlicensed kiosks
Bitcoin of America, a Bitcoin technology firm, along with three of its executives, has been indicted for allegedly operating more than 50 unlicensed crypto kiosks in Ohio that knowingly benefited from victims of cryptocurrency scams. The firm is facing charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and other crimes connected to the operation of the kiosks, which authorities believe have been operating and evading regulatory safeguards and financial compliance requirements since 2018.
Spanish Authorities Arrest Bitzlato Exchange Executives for Money Laundering
On Jan. 18, 2023, police enforcement closed Bitzlato.