aml
‘AML BitCoin’ Lobbyist Abramoff Pleads Guilty to ICO Fraud
AML BitCoin lobbyist Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty to multiple accounts of fraud associated with the 2018 Initial Coin Offering (ICO) for AML BitCoin.
UK FCA Regulator Proposes Mandatory AML Data Reports from Cryptocurrency Firms
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed obligatory AML reporting requirements for crypto exchanges.
Elliptic to Provide AML Services to Zilliqa’s Blockchain Network
Elliptic, a London-based blockchain analytics startup, has partnered with Zilliqa, a Singapore-based blockchain network provider, to propel the infrastructure compliance and security of the latter’s network by offering an anti-money laundering (AML) compliance support.
FinCEN Director Kenneth Blanco Warns Banks to Take Crypto AML Seriously
Kenneth Blanco, the Director of the FinCEN warned banks to seriously consider how virtual currencies should fit into their anti-money laundering (AML) policies.
U.S. Financial Regulators Warn Crypto Firms to Tighten Stablecoin AML Risk Controls
U.S. regulators have issued a strict warning on money laundering risks associated with stablecoins and has warned providers to tighten AML protections and controls.
Blockpass Supports Permissionless DeFi Protocol UniLend Fundraiser with KYC & AML Screening
HONG KONG, Nov 24, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - Blockpass today announced a successful working partnership with UniLend, the decentralised finance (DeFi) platform. UniLend recently conducted a successful fundraiser, with Blockpass providing the requisite KYC and AML provision in order to meet regulatory compliance. By handling the compliance measures, the UniLend team were able to focus their efforts on the actual fundraising process.
NAC Foudation Accuses US SEC of Misleading Court in AML BitCoin Case
The legal battle between The NAC Foundation and the SEC is still far from over, and the Foundation argues that the SEC misled the court in its ongoing case against AML Bitcoin.
Kaspersky’s Expert Take on KYC and AML: Stock vs Crypto Exchanges
In Part 2 of our interview, Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia, Kaspersky shared how Kaspersky provides cybersecurity solutions for stock and crypto exchanges to address KYC and AML concerns. He also walked us through the Kaspersky Application Security Assessment and explained its significance in safeguarding assets in crypto exchanges.
AML BitCoin Lobbyist Abramoff to Pay $55K in Convicted Guilt Plea for ICO Fraud
In the civil case filed against Jack Abramoff for his role in the 2018 Initial Coin Offering (ICO) scandal, the AML BitCoin lobbyist is expected to pay $55, 000 in disgorgement and interest for his conspiracy in fraud.
SEC Charges Disgraced Lobbyist Jack Abramoff With Fraud for AML Bitcoin ICO
Political lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Marcus Andrade, CEO of the NAC Foundation, have been charged with fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for misrepresenting their token’s compliance. The pair also face criminal charges with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for money laundering.
Matrixport's Evolved Enterprise-Grade Cactus Custody and Holistic Approach to KYT and AML Compliance
Matrixport is a Singapore-based cryptocurrency startup which was launched by former Bitmain CEO Jihan Wu. Established in July 2019 with the goal to offer over-the-counter trading, lending and custody services for crypto, Matrixport boasts a systematic security model, global distributed infrastructure and business-focused security innovation capability to assure the security and reliability of users' assets.
French-Austrian Collaboration on Blockchain Forensics Instrument to Enhance Cryptocurrency AML
The French cybersecurity firm Nigma Conseil and the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) have announced a partnership aimed to create a new blockchain forensics instrument.
US Treasury to Increase DeFi Regulation
The US Treasury conducted a risk assessment of DeFi, finding it lacking in AML/CFT compliance, and reported money laundering, scammers, and North Korean hackers benefiting from the sector. The Treasury response to Biden's executive order suggests more regulation for DeFi, including compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act.
Exclusive: Blockpass COO, on the Significance of the FATF Travel Rule to VASPs
Personal identity is a fundamental human right according to Article 8 of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. Identity is crucial to a functioning society and economy, however, there are 1.1 billion people in the world that do not have proof of identity and 45% of them are among the poorest 20% around the world. For enterprises, customer data protection can be proven costly as 2.8 billion consumer data records were exposed at an estimated cost of more than $654 million in 2018.
HKMA Imposes HK$10 Million Fine on DBS Bank (Hong Kong) for AML Failures
HKMA has imposed a HK$10 million penalty on DBS Bank (Hong Kong) for breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance.
HKMA Imposes Penalty on WeChat Pay Hong Kong for AML Failures
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has fined WeChat Pay Hong Kong Limited HK$875,000 for contravening anti-money laundering regulations.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Penalizes China CITIC Bank for AML Violations
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has fined China CITIC Bank International Limited HK$4 million for breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance.
EU Partially Agrees to Establishes Anti-Money Laundering Authority
The European Union through the Council of the EU has agreed on partial terms to establish an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) body that will be named the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA)
Abu Dhabi Global Market to Permit Licensed Exchanges Trade NFTs
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is building out a regulatory framework that may make trading platforms or exchanges that have licenses to operate within the free trade zone to trade NFTs.
Argentina Orders Stricter Monitoring on Local Crypto Transactions Amid Battling the Flight of Devalued Pesos
Argentina’s Financial Information Unit (FIU) has ordered stricter controls and monitoring into cryptocurrency transactions in the country to eradicate money laundering and other illicit activities. Argentine newspaper El Cronista reported that the FIU, a government agency that is responsible for enforcing anti-money laundering laws and compliance, is looking to tighten its controls on cryptocurrency trading.
India Implements AML Standards on Crypto
The Indian government has imposed anti-money laundering (AML) standards on crypto, subjecting a range of crypto transactions to the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (PLMA) 2002. The PLMA obliges financial institutions to maintain a record of all transactions for the last ten years, provide these records to officials if demanded, and verify the identity of all clients. The notification will complicate the life of crypto companies in India, as regulators worldwide are tightening AML standards for crypto.
Ripple CEO Reveals Missing Key Factor for Crypto and XRP to Be the Infrastructure of the Next Global Financial System
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse explained what was crucial in the cryptocurrency sector for it to be revamped and integrated into the next global financial system.
Janet Yellen says Crypto Terrorist Financing is a Concern Following Attacks on US Capitol
Janet Yellen highlighted the “growing concern” of crypto being leveraged to finance terror just weeks after the US Capitol was attacked by domestic terrorists paid in BTC.
SEC to Regulate Binance Chain With Blockchain Analytics Firm CipherTrace
The US Securities and Exchange Commission plans to award CipherTrace blockchain analytics firm with a contract pertaining to Binance Chain.
President Biden Freezes Mnuchin's Controversial Proposed Regulation on Unhosted Crypto Wallets
FinCEN’s controversial regulation proposal on “unhosted” crypto wallet has been effectively frozen by President Joe Biden as his administration takes office today.
DeFi Execs Argue KYC as Solution to Combat Money Laundering in the Industry
DeFi executives at the WOW Summit in Hong Kong endorse KYC as a solution to tackle AML issues and combat hackers laundering stolen funds into clean money. However, there are concerns that KYC alone will not solve all AML problems and that different mechanisms should be used for different solutions.
German Financial Regulator Officially Classifies Cryptocurrencies as Financial Instruments
The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) released a new guideline on classifying cryptocurrencies as financial instruments. The BaFin has taken crypto classification one step further as the previous guidelines only covered security tokens.
CFTC Report Underscores DeFi Risks and Calls for Action
The CFTC report on DeFi underscores significant risks to the U.S. financial system, national security, and consumer protection, emphasizing the need for increased understanding, regulation, and collaboration in the sector.
How to Build Sustainable Mobility With Blockchain?
Sustainable mobility is the need of the hour. Mobility service providers have to make public transit attractive to people while adding sustainable and green transport. How can technologies such as Blockchain empower these Mobility Operators in their move towards a greener future?
EBA Issues Updated Guidelines for Crypto Asset Service Providers
The European Banking Authority (EBA) extends Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing measures to include crypto firms, aiming to harmonize regulatory approaches and mitigate financial crime risks in the EU.
WazirX Faces Sanction For Abating Illegal Loan App Companies
Asian crypto exchange WazirX which has been under the probe of the Indian enforcement agency, Directorate of Enforcement has finally had its bank assets seized
What are the 7 Key Takeaways from Facebook's Libra Hearings?
The debate on Facebook's Libra continues with the hearing with Senate Banking Committee on 16 July and the United States House Committee of Financial Services on 17 July. Here are the 7 key takeaways from the two hearings.
New Jersey State Considering New Bill to Set New Requirements for Cryptocurrency Businesses
The New Jersey state legislature received a new bill, the Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Act by Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez. This new bill would require cryptocurrency and virtual currency to obtain a license to operate, allowing for more consumer-friendly protections.
FATF Assessment Finds Majority of US Exchanges are Compliant with Virtual Asset Guidance
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has published an assessment of the US’s compliance with its revised criteria for anti-money laundering (AML) and terrorist financing (CTF) through virtual assets and found that most virtual asset providers are compliant.
G7 Bank Sector Higher Money Laundering Risk than Crypto Industry, Reports Mexico Financial Intelligence
According to a report released by the Financial Intelligence Unit of Mexico, the G7 banking sector was most at risk of money laundering operations.
BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes Resigns, Following Criminal Charges by CFTC and DoJ
BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes has stepped down from his position, alongside Samuel Reed, the company's CTO.
ECB Report: Striking the Balance Between Allowing Privacy and Ensuring Compliance with CBDC
The European Central Bank has recently developed an “anonymity voucher” to safeguard potential central bank digital currency (CBDC) users’ privacy for low-value retail transactions, while ensuring that high-value transfers are subject to anti-money laundering (AML) approvals.
South Korea Top Four Crypto Exchanges Launch Joint Venture To Abide By AML Regulations
The heads of Bithumb, Korbit, Coinone, and Upbit signed a memorandum to form a company with a system, which will enable them to adhere to anti-money laundering regulations.
US Government Creates Cyber Fraud Task Force to Put an End to Crypto Crime
The US Secret Service is hoping to put an end to the increasing money-laundering cases that have erupted with the rise of COVID-19, by creating a special division, dubbed the Cyber Fraud Task Force (CFTF).
185 Blockchain Hacking Incidents with $920M Loss Reported by SlowMist in First Half of 2023
SlowMist, a renowned blockchain security firm, has recently published its mid-2023 report on Blockchain Security and Anti-Money Laundering (AML). The report offers a comprehensive overview of the current global landscape of blockchain security and AML developments.
FinCEN Proposes Cryptocurrency Guidelines to Fight Money Laundering and Regulate Unhosted Wallets
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has proposed regulatory measures for businesses operating with cryptocurrencies, such as exchanges.
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission to Ban Privacy Coins from Exchanges
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) will ban privacy-centric digital assets or “dark coins” from exchanges as they present a high money laundering risk.
New Zealand Police Seize about $6.7m Cryptocurrency from Jarothe n David McIvor for Alleged Money Laundering
The New Zealand police confiscated about $6.7m cryptocurrency from Jarothe n David McIvor, a software developer, in Hamilton for alleged money laundering via online movie piracy in the United States.
Bank of Israel Issues Draft Regulations Regarding AML for Crypto Firms
The Bank of Israel has issued a new draft guideline to stakeholders in the cryptocurrency ecosystem as it relates to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) provisions.
KYC on Exchanges Powerless Against PlusToken Ponzi Scammers According to New Report
The PlusToken Ponzi scheme operators are using regulated KYC compliant exchanges to dump their cryptocurrency according to an updated report by investigative firm OXT Research.
Hong Kong to Release Cryptocurrency Exchange Licensing Guidelines
The Hong Kong Securities Futures Commission (SFC) plans to release guidelines for cryptocurrency exchange licensing next month, in support of trading services to retail investors by June 1. AML/KYC regulatory requirements were key considerations in the consultation process. Some trading platforms have already received licenses, while others have chosen to cease operations.
Thailand to Implement In-Person KYC Step for Crypto Exchanges
Thailand has introduced a new method of verifying clients’ identities for crypto exchanges.
Polygon MATIC Launches Solution Provider Network (SPN) for Seamless Developer Collaboration
Polygon has launched the Solution Provider Network (SPN) to facilitate real-time connections between developers and essential infrastructure like oracles, bridges, RPC providers, and wallets, enhancing visibility and credibility within the Polygon ecosystem.
Estonia Shuts Down Crypto Firms
Nearly 400 virtual asset service providers (VASPs) have shut down in Estonia due to enhanced Anti-Money Laundering laws. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) revoked the authorizations of almost 190 firms for non-compliance. The remaining 100 active crypto firms had issues with misleading company information, including falsified professional backgrounds and copied business plans.
HKEX Introduces Synapse: A New Settlement Acceleration Platform for Stock Connect
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announces the launch of HKEX Synapse, a settlement acceleration platform designed to improve market efficiency and transparency for Northbound Stock Connect participants. The platform, set to launch on October 9, 2023, will employ DAML smart contracts to streamline post-trade operations. The move aims to enhance real-time data synchronization and scalability for asset managers, brokers, and other market participants.
Crypto Exchange BKEX Halts Withdrawals Amid Money Laundering Investigation
In a surprise announcement on May 29, 2023, BKEX, one of the major cryptocurrency exchanges, has temporarily suspended user withdrawals due to alleged involvement in money laundering activities.
India's Crackdown on Crypto Exchanges: Binance, Kraken, Mexc, and Kucoin Delisted from App Store
India's FIU removes apps of major crypto exchanges, including Binance and Kraken, from the App Store, enforcing compliance with anti-money laundering laws amid new crypto tax policies.
Tether Brings into Play Anti-Money Laundering Solutions with Chainalysis Tool
Tether, the most leveraged stablecoin provider based on market capitalization, has deployed a tool provided by Chainalysis, a blockchain analytical company, in its quest to have anti-money laundering (AML) compliance solutions
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.
Hong Kong Central Bank Urges Crypto-Friendly Banking
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has instructed authorized institutions to adopt a risk-based approach in Anti-Money Laundering efforts and provide banking services to cryptocurrency firms.
Lesley O'Neill was Appointed as Binance.US Chief Compliance Officer
Lesley O’Neill's appointment as Binance.US Chief Compliance Officer marks a strategic response to heightened SEC scrutiny, emphasizing the crypto industry's shift towards compliance and regulatory adherence.
US Government Removes Cryptocurrency AML Provisions from NDAA
The US government has removed two AML provisions relating to cryptocurrencies from the NDAA, indicating a cautious approach to crypto regulation and raising concerns about future AML measures.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Cites Crypto’s Growing Role in Terrorism Finance
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she sees the “promise” of cryptocurrency but also is wary of the reality that crypto is increasingly being leveraged to finance terrorism
Cyprus Tightens Crypto Regulations with Hefty Penalties for Non-Compliance
Cyprus is tightening its cryptocurrency regulations by introducing hefty penalties for non-compliance. The government aims to align with international AML/CFT standards and has submitted a legislative amendment for review. All crypto service providers must register with CySEC, facing fines or imprisonment for non-compliance.
A New Era of Smart Banking: Virtual Bank by Standard Chartered Building Digitally-Born Services
During Hong Kong Fintech Week 2019, Blockchain.News spoke with Deniz Güven, the CEO of the Virtual Bank by Standard Chartered, to understand the current developments and the new technology behind it. The Virtual Bank by Standard Chartered was one of the first granted a virtual banking license on March 27, 2019, from the HKMA along with two other licensees, Livi VB Limited and ZhongAn Virtual Finance Limited.
United States DoJ Files to Freeze Assets of OneCoin Money Launderer and Recoup $400 Million
The United States Department of Justice has filed to freeze the assets of OneCoin Money Launderer Mark Scott, and Recoup $400 Million.
Estonia Revokes 500 Crypto Business Licenses in a Move Against Illegal Money Laundering Activities
Estonian authorities have recently revoked licenses from 500 crypto firms, and consequently tightened market regulations within the crypto sector.
Europe's Watchdog MONEYVAL Sees Crypto as a Threat to AML
European regulator MONEYVAL has published a report that considered cryptocurrencies a major threat to regulators' efforts to fight money laundering activities.
FATF Releases Action Plan to Improve Implementation of Global Standards on Crypto
Over 200 governments agreed to tighten the "application of FATF Standards on virtual assets and virtual asset service providers".
Mitsubishi to Digitize Metal Resource Trade on Blockchain Platform
Mitsubishi Corporation has launched a blockchain platform to streamline and digitize metal trading via its metals and minerals subsidiary.
US CFTC Charges BitMEX For Operating Illegal Crypto Derivatives Exchange
The United States CFTC has charged operators of BitMEX for operating an unregistered trading platform and violating anti-money laundering procedures.
Animoca Brands Partners with Blockpass to Enhance Web3 Security and Compliance
Animoca Brands aligns with Blockpass in a strategic partnership to bolster Web3 security, aiming to set new standards in user verification and regulatory compliance.
Bitcoin Price Drop, An Aftermath of Janet Yellen Calling the Cryptocurrency "Extremely Inefficient"
The crypto market with Bitcoin in the lead is down following comments from Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen that BTC is mainly used in crime and is inefficient.
Qtum Teams Up with Blockpass To Deliver On-Chain KYC
Qtum, the advanced blockchain platform and growing decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, has just announced its partnership with the leading on-chain KYC provider Blockpass.
BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes Agrees to Surrender to U.S. Authorities
Fugitive executives of crypto derivatives exchange BitMEX have been discussing a surrender agreement with the U.S. government.
Mastercard CEO Answers: The Reasons Behind Leaving Facebook’s Libra Association
Mastercard’s CEO, Ajay Banga, stated the reasons behind the company leaving Facebook’s Libra Association in an interview with the Financial Times. Having left the Libra Association in October last year alongside Visa and other firms, the Libra Association has seen eight firms quitting the project.
Israel Proposes New AML Rules for Crypto Service Providers
Digital currency service providers in Israel are now expected to adhere to the provisions of new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules enacted by the Israeli Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority (IMPA).