RCMP Requests Exchanges to Stop Trading with 34 Crypto Wallets, amid the Freedom Convoy Protest
Annie Li Feb 17, 2022 09:30
The Financial Post has confirmed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has asked several Canadian cryptocurrency exchanges to block transactions on 34 crypto wallets related to the truckers’ “Freedom Fleet” protest.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has asked several Canadian cryptocurrency exchanges to block transactions on 34 crypto wallets related to the truckers’ “Freedom Fleet” protest, according to the Financial Post report.
Truckers began protesting on January 22 against mandatory vaccinations imposed by the Canadian government’s international travel restrictions. The restrictions require people who enter the country to be vaccinated against COVID-19, resulting in protests against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government’s mandatory vaccinations, triggered by truck drivers from the United States.
The parade spread across several Canadian cities, including Ottawa's capital and the largest city Toronto.
These wallets involved various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Monero, and Cardano addresses.
The protesters had previously raised more than $19 million through fundraising platforms GoFundMe and GiveSendGo, which turned to cryptocurrency after being blocked.
A statement from Toronto-based cryptocurrency exchange CoinSmart reads:
“It is unfortunate that the Emergency Economic Measures Order is indiscriminately targeting the whole cryptocurrency ecosystem,”
“The addresses associated with this alert have been widely disseminated to the entire crypto community here in Canada and have reportedly been reported to the blockchain monitoring software that serves the industry worldwide. We will cooperate with the OPP and the RCMP and fulfil our obligations, if any, under the Emergency Economic Measures Order.”
Donors are reported to have sent more than 20 BTC worth over $870,000 ($1.1 million CAD) to these addresses
In a letter disclosed and issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police reads：
"Any information about a transaction or proposed transaction in respect of these addresses is to be immediately disclosed to the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police."
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration invoked the Emergencies Act, targeting crypto transactions amid the anti-vaccination protests.
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