Virtual Currency, Money Laundering, Enforcement Actions

Weekly Blockchain Blog - November 2024 #3

BakerHostetler on 11/18/2024

Crypto Exchanges and Stablecoin Issuers Announce Multiple New Products - Multiple crypto sector companies have recently announced new products. In a press release, LayerZero, “an omnichain interoperability protocol that...more

Blockchain Analysis and Related Expert Testimony Admissible In Criminal Trial

Ballard Spahr LLP on 3/19/2024

It is challenging for law enforcement to track down and trace illicit activities conducted through digital currencies. The process can be very time- and resource-intensive. Further, securing charges and arrests, and...more

Binance’s Paper Compliance Program Crumples Under OFAC Scrutiny in Largest OFAC Settlement in History

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP on 11/27/2023

On November 21, 2023, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced its largest settlement in history with the virtual currency exchange Binance. This almost-billion dollar settlement is a part of a larger...more

In the First Use of Its Section 9714 Powers, the U.S. Treasury Designated Bitzlato as a Russian-Linked Primary Money Laundering...

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP on 2/7/2023

On January 17, 2023, U.S. law enforcement authorities in Miami arrested Anatoly Legkodymov, a Russian national and the founder and majority owner of Hong Kong-based virtual currency exchange Bitzlato Ltd., on charges of money...more

FinCEN prohibits engagement with virtual currency exchange connected to Russian finance

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP on 1/20/2023

On January 18, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued its first order pursuant to section 9714(a) of the Combating Russian Money Laundering Act to identify a Hong Kong-registered global virtual currency...more

OFAC Takes Action Against Virtual Currency Tornado Cash in Novel Application of Sanctions Authorities

Perkins Coie on 9/2/2022

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), on August 8, 2022, sanctioned virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash. OFAC alleged that it had been “used to launder more than $7 billion worth of...more

Crypto Products Launch, Gain Approvals; OFAC Sanctions Crypto Mixer; SEC Publishes ICO Consent Order; Report Cites Criminal Use of...

BakerHostetler on 8/15/2022

NY DFS Approves Crypto Platform, Prepaid Crypto Card to Launch in Argentina - According to a press release this week, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NY DFS) has authorized two subsidiaries of Zero...more

Increased Scrutiny for the Crypto Industry: DOJ Creates a Special Enforcement Team as Regulators Sharpen their Focus

Cohen & Gresser LLP on 11/9/2021

The cryptocurrency industry should brace itself for increased scrutiny from the DOJ and other enforcement agencies. The DOJ recently announced the creation of a National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (“NCET”), which will...more

DOJ Trumpets New Multi-Faceted Cryptocurrency Task Force: What this Means for You

Bracewell LLP on 10/27/2021

In keeping with the United States government’s expanding scrutiny of cryptocurrency markets, the DOJ recently announced the creation of a National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (the “NCET”). The NCET endeavors to add a...more

DOJ Cryptocurrency Guidance Outlines Enforcement Partnerships (Part II of II)

The Volkov Law Group on 11/3/2020

DOJ’s Cyber Digital Task Force’s report, “Cryptocurrency: An Enforcement Framework,” provides a comprehensive on the growing partnerships between DOJ and other offices within the executive branch....more

DOJ Releases Cryptocurrency Guidance and Enforcement Framework (Part I of II)

The Volkov Law Group on 11/3/2020

Earlier this month, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), through its Cyber Digital Task Force (hereinafter the “Task Force”), published its 83-page crypto guidance report titled “Cryptocurrency: An Enforcement Framework.”...more

Securing the Weakest Link U.S. Government’s Cryptocurrency Tracing Capacity on Full Display in Civil Forfeiture Action

Polsinelli on 9/16/2020

The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed a civil forfeiture complaint detailing two hacks of virtual currency exchanges by North Korean actors. These actors stole millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency or other...more

You Can Run But You Can’t Hide: U.S. Government’s Cryptocurrency Tracing Capacity on Full Display in Civil Forfeiture Action

Polsinelli on 9/15/2020

The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed a civil forfeiture complaint detailing two hacks of virtual currency exchanges by North Korean actors. These actors stole millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency and...more

Superman29 - Welcome to the Phantom Zone

Polsinelli on 8/10/2020

In a lesson to everyone that the use of foolish monikers will come back to haunt you, Kais Mohammad, 36, a.k.a. “Superman29,” has met his Kryptonite - the U.S. Department of Justice. ...more

BitBlog Bi-Weekly Update - March 2020

Polsinelli on 3/4/2020

Strikeout for Bitcoin ETF - Another ETF bites the dust. On February 26th the SEC rejected the application of NYSE Acre for the approval of an exchange traded fund sponsored by the New York firm of Wilshire Phoenix to...more

IRS CI Highlights International Efforts to Tackle Cryptocurrency Abuse, Money Laundering and Tax Evasion

Ballard Spahr LLP on 12/10/2019

ABA Tax Fraud Panel to Discuss IRS CI and Crypto Criminals - The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) has made it clear that it is focusing on the abuse of digital currencies to further tax evasion,...more

If you Exchange Virtual Currency, you are a Money Transmitter and must comply with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)

Foodman CPAs & Advisors on 7/22/2019

FinCEN defines a Money Service Business (MSB) as any person DOING BUSINESS, whether or not on a regular basis or as an organized business concern, in one or more of the following capacities...more

Details on Major New Cryptocurrency Announced, Enterprise Pilots and Enforcement Actions Continue

BakerHostetler on 6/24/2019

Libra Cryptocurrency Plans Released, Crypto Exchanges and Payment Options Expand - This week, the world’s largest social media company published details on its plans to launch Libra, a new cryptocurrency that would be...more

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Treasury Department Affirm Regulatory Regime for Convertible Virtual Currencies

Dechert LLP on 5/22/2019

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued guidance on May 9, 2019, underscoring the application of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and its implementing regulations relating to money...more

Update: Government Enforcement in the Cryptocurrency Space

Ballard Spahr LLP on 5/10/2019

First Post in a Two-Part Series - Recent actions in the crypto realm demonstrate that authorities and regulators have not slackened their commitment to applying and enforcing Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) laws and...more

Your Daily Dose of Financial News

Robins Kaplan LLP on 9/20/2018

“Pot is the new crypto,” declares Bloomberg, and if you’ve seen how the virtual currencies are faring these days, that should be a warning and not a selling point....more

Unlicensed Bit Coin Exchange Operator Sentenced to One Year and a Day for Attempted Money Laundering in Undercover Sting Operation...

Ballard Spahr LLP on 7/24/2018

Earlier this month, the District Court for the Central District of California imposed a prison sentence of one year and a day, with three years of supervised release, on defendant Theresa Lynn Tetley, who had pleaded guilty...more

Virtual Currency › Money Laundering › Enforcement Actions