In its 2024 National Risk Assessments, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has unveiled the concerning trend of criminals increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies to finance illegal activities. US Treasury Reports Identify Crypto’s Role in Illicit Finance The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced in a press release that it has issued its 2024 National Risk…
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Belarusian and Cypriot national has been charged in the US for operating an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e and money laundering conspiracy, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Aliaksandr Klimenka and Alexander Vinnik, allegedly controlled the digital currency exchange BTC-e, with others between 2011 and July 2017. BTC-e primarily targeted the Russian market but had…
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A new report from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis found that crypto related crimes decreased in 2023. While notable, findings also show that ransomware and darknet market activity involving cryptocurrency increased considerably. Eric Jardine, cybercrime research lead for Chainalysis, told Cryptonews that both ransomware wallets and darknet market wallets saw more inflows during 2023 than 2022…
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Crypto research firm Chainalysis revealed that at least $24.2 billion worth of cryptocurrency was sent to illicit wallet addresses in 2023, encompassing addresses associated with sanctions, terrorist financing, and scams. The figure is considered a conservative estimate, and Chainalysis expects it to rise as more illicit addresses are identified. Chainalysis focused on crypto-related crime, acknowledging…
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2023 started with a challenging overall landscape for the crypto market that continued throughout the rest of the year. However, the market saw a recovery with a spike in bullish sentiment and ended the year on a positive note. Additionally, 2023 saw a decline in crypto scamming and crypto-related illicit activity compared to the previous…
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U.S. authorities seize over $54 million in Ethereum from darknet drug operations. Image by Bits and Splits, Adobe Stock. The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday the seizure of 30,000 Ether (ETH), valued at over $54 million, that had allegedly been used for illegal narcotics distribution in New Jersey. The assets were traced back…
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) filed charges on Wednesday against six individuals for allegedly running an unlicensed money-transmitting business involving $30 million in cryptocurrencies. The information came to light through court documents filed in the Southern District of New York. The accused are charged with converting bitcoin and other digital currencies into cash via…
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A registered broker and former investment banker with financial giant Deutsche Bank has pleaded guilty to defrauding investors into a fraudulent crypto fund. He is facing up to 30 years in prison and will be required to pay restitution of more than $1.5 million, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Ex-Deutsche Bank Investment Banker Pleads…
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Cryptocurrency-related crime is down significantly this year, according to data by Chainalysis. Specifically, the blockchain analytics firm explained that crypto inflows to known illicit entities are down 65% compared to the previous year while inflows to risky entities are down 42%. Crypto Crime Down ‘Significantly’ This Year Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis released its mid-year update…
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Cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato, better known to the Russian-speaking segment of the market, has been taken down as part of an “international cryptocurrency enforcement action,” the U.S. Justice Department announced. The Russian owner of the platform has been arrested for his role in the alleged transmission of illicit money. Bitzlato claimed it was hacked. US, France…
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