Almost 50 Russian Banks Accept Yuan Deposits Amid Low Demand for Dollar Accounts

A growing number of banking institutions in Russia are offering customers the option to save in Chinese yuan. The trend coincides with declining demand for U.S. dollar and euro deposits amid currency restrictions that triggered a flight of funds to bank accounts abroad. Demand for Dollar, Euro Accounts Expected to Drop Further, Requests for Yuan … Read more

SEC Charges Crypto Exchange Bittrex With Operating Unregistered Exchange, Broker, and Clearing Agency

After the report revealing that the cryptocurrency exchange Bittrex had received a Wells Notice from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the securities regulator charged Bittrex and the company’s CEO on April 17 for “operating an unregistered exchange, broker, and clearing agency.” Following the Wells Notice, SEC Charges Bittrex for Violating Federal Laws On … Read more

Hong Kong’s Largest Virtual Bank Offers Crypto Conversion Services

ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s biggest virtual-only lender, intends to expand its business into the region’s growing digital assets sector. The banking platform will offer crypto-to-fiat conversions and account services as the Chinese financial center is seeking to embrace the industry. ZA Bank to Provide Services to Crypto Exchanges Licensed in Hong Kong Hong Kong’s first … Read more

Russian Law Enforcement Prepares to Seize Crypto Assets, Seeks Permission to Set Up Wallets

Russian investigators are pressing the parliament and government in Moscow for permission to open their own cryptocurrency wallets. This would allow law enforcement agencies to seize digital assets during criminal cases and eventually sell them, something that authorities in the United States and Europe already do. Russian Prosecutors Lobby for Powers to Confiscate and Auction … Read more

Law Firm’s White Paper Claims US Bank Regulators Are Waging a ‘Clandestine Financial War’ Against Crypto Businesses

According to a recent white paper published by four members of the law firm Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, U.S. bank regulators are attempting to “drive crypto businesses out of the financial system.” The paper, titled “Operation Chokepoint 2.0,” claims that after laying the groundwork by labeling lawful businesses as “reputationally risky,” federal bank regulators, with … Read more

Germany’s Financial Watchdog Warns of ‘Godfather’ Malware Attacks on Crypto Apps

The agency overseeing the financial sector in Germany has issued a warning about the ‘Godfather’ malware attacking banking and crypto applications. Hundreds of these platforms have been targeted, the regulator noted, including those operating in the Bundesrepublik. Financial Authorities Advise Germans How to Protect Their Mobile Apps From Malware The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority of … Read more

Venezuelan Banks Have Blocked Over 75 Accounts Since the End of Last Year Due to Cryptocurrency-Related Activities

Venezuelan Banks have started eyeing the accounts of customers with ties to cryptocurrency trading, principally related to peer-to-peer (P2P) transaction activity. According to Legalrocks, a crypto and blockchain-focused legal firm in Venezuela, more than 75 accounts have been blocked by Venezuelan private banks for facilitating crypto-to-fiat and fiat-to-crypto conversions since the end of 2021. Venezuelan … Read more