Vinnik to Be ‘Hostage’ in US Amid Russia’s War in Ukraine, Greek Lawyer Says

If extradited to the United States, crypto exchange BTC-e’s alleged operator Alexander Vinnik will become a “hostage” due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to his Greek lawyer. France is likely to send the Russian back to Greece soon and Zoe Konstantopoulou is trying to prevent his subsequent transfer to U.S. custody. Alexander Vinnik’s … Read more

Desperate LUNA Investor Arrested, New Terra Network Announced, Davos Blockchain Talk, and More — Bitcoin.com News Week in Review

From a desperate investor’s ill-advised visit to Terra co-founder Do Kwon’s house resulting in an arrest, the announcement of a new Terra network, and blockchain talk at Davos, to predictions of U.S. economic collapse if inflation isn’t reigned in quickly, there’s no shortage of action-packed crypto stories this past week. Without further ado, this is … Read more

Russian Court Recognizes Cryptocurrency as Means of Payment, Prosecutors See Precedent

The City Court of St. Petersburg has recognized a large amount of cryptocurrency handed over by the victim in an extortion case as a means of payment, Russian media reported. The prosecutor’s office in Russia’s second-largest city describes the ruling as a precedent. Two Men Sentenced for Cryptocurrency Extortion in Russia Two Russian citizens have … Read more

Onecoin ‘Crypto Queen’ Ruja Ignatova Listed Among Europe’s Most Wanted

Ruja Ignatova, mastermind of the notorious pyramid Onecoin, is now one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives. Also known as the “Crypto Queen,” she disappeared almost five years ago, after the Ponzi scheme she led collected billions of dollars from defrauded investors around the world. Europol Seeks Information on Onecoin Inventor’s Whereabouts The European Union Agency … Read more

Alleged Hydra Administrator Dmitry Pavlov Reportedly Arrested In Russia

A district court in Moscow has arrested a man whom local media reports identify as Dmitry Pavlov, alleged administrator of the recently shut down darknet market Hydra. Russian authorities believe he has been involved in drug-related crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Moscow Court Arrests Russian Believed to Be Hydra Administrator Meshchansky … Read more

Wex Exchange Co-Owner Reportedly Detained in Russia

Authorities in Russia have arrested a crypto entrepreneur associated with an unidentified cryptocurrency exchange who is suspected of embezzling funds and property. According to a media report, the detained person is one of the owners of Wex, successor of the infamous BTC-e exchange. Owner of Wex Exchange Apprehended in Russia Russian law enforcement agencies have … Read more

Russia May ‘Nationalize’ Foreign Assets in Response to Western Sanctions, Medvedev Says

Authorities in Russia may begin to seize funds of foreign nationals and companies that are in the country, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has indicated. His warning comes as the West continues to expend penalties imposed on Moscow over its military invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Medvedev Warns Persons and Entities From ‘Hostile’ Nations May Lose … Read more

Ex-Head of Crypto Exchange Wex Released in Poland

Former chief executive of the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Wex, Dmitry Vasiliev, has been released from arrest in Warsaw earlier this month. The ex-head of the now-defunct coin trading platform has since returned to Russia while court proceedings against him in Poland are still ongoing. Polish Court Rejects Extradition of Wex Executive to Kazakhstan Authorities in … Read more

Prosecutor General’s Office Wants to See ‘Cryptocurrency’ in Russian Law

The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation has insisted that the term “cryptocurrency” should be added to the country’s legislation. The move would allow authorities in Moscow to confiscate digital assets that have been involved in criminal activities. Russian Prosecutor General’s Office Prepares Amendments Allowing Seizure of Cryptocurrency With cryptocurrencies being only partially regulated … Read more

Finiko Founder Doronin Offers to Testify Against 44 Accomplices at Crypto Pyramid

Kirill Doronin, mastermind of the Russian crypto Ponzi scheme Finiko, has proposed to testify against dozens of his former associates he claims violated his order to accept only cryptocurrency from investors. The founder of Russia’s largest financial pyramid in modern times has already provided detailed testimonies against a long list of accomplices, a media report … Read more