Silk Road Mentor’s Arrest Rekindles Tales of Rogue Agents and Pirate’s Treasure

On January 30, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) revealed that Roger Clark, the alleged senior advisor to the Silk Road marketplace, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute massive quantities of narcotics. Clark, otherwise known as ‘Variety Jones,’ was a unique character within the Silk Road saga who claimed … Read more

The Silk Road Investigation: A ‘Pattern of Bad Behavior and Double Agents’

Kathryn Haun, a general partner at U.S. venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, has revealed in recent interviews how she helped take down the Silk Road when she was working for the Attorney General’s office. According to her accounts, the U.S. government agency also asked her to help “start shutting down technology before it’s built.” Haun’s … Read more

Crypto Community Monitors Bitfinex Wallets and the Strange 6% BTC Premium

Whether cryptocurrency enthusiasts believe the stablecoin controversy is worrisome or mere FUD, the news surrounding the $850 million of Bitfinex funds locked up has shaken the markets. Now, digital asset traders are closely monitoring the large premium on Bitfinex, where the price of BTC is trading for $300 more than on most spot markets. The … Read more

New York OAG Finds 3 Serious Issues with Cryptocurrency Exchanges

According to a report by the New York Attorney General’s office, the majority of cryptocurrency exchanges fail to incorporate adequate safeguards and consumer protections. They are also extremely susceptible to market manipulation, insider trading, and conflicts of interest. So, tell us something we don’t know.   3. Conflicts of Interest Abound According to the report, … Read more

8 Surprising Findings from New York’s Virtual Markets Integrity Initiative

A lot of cryptocurrency traders are sick of hearing about “manipulation”. They just want to buy and sell bitcoin in peace, without Twitter accounts such as Bitfinexed banging on about unnatural market movements. It was thus with some dismay that New York’s Virtual Markets Integrity Initiative was greeted. The report, which dropped yesterday, predictably contains … Read more

This Week in Bitcoin: Ghost Scares Markets, Facebook Mulls Coin

This week’s round-up features a colorful selection of bitcoin stories but we’ll start with the possible explanation for recent market dips. Most cryptocurrencies dropped in price over the period, following developments with depressing effect on traders. In Japan, Mt. Gox’s bitcoins stored in court ordered wallets have moved again, while in South Korea, the largest … Read more

Bitcoin in Brief Friday: Truths, T-Shirts, Things That Matter

In today’s Bitcoin in Brief we are focusing on some truths that have been uttered recently in regards to the latest attempt by authorities in New York to cross borders, when it comes to crypto controls and regulations. Also, crypto T-shirts, inspired by digital aesthetics, have been put on sale. Do you want to know … Read more

South Carolina Declares Cloud Mining Contracts to Be Securities

The Attorney General of South Carolina has served a cease and desist order on Genesis Mining. In documents filed before its Securities Commissioner, it has declared cloud mining contracts to be securities, in a move that could have repercussions beyond the confines of the Palmetto State. Also read: ‘Cryptomatoes’ Using Excess Mining Heat to Grow Produce … Read more

Louisiana Attorney General Fires IT Staff for Allegedly Mining Bitcoin

It appears that the allure of free electricity and computer systems, courtesy of the tax payers, might be too hard for some government workers all over the world to resist. After it was recently revealed that Russian nuclear scientists were arrested for mining bitcoin on the job, now it is reported that American IT staff … Read more

New Jersey Sends Cease & Desist to Crypto-Investment Pool

The state of New Jersey’s Bureau of Securities and the Attorney General has issued a cease and desist order to a digital currency investment fund called ‘Bitstrade’ this week. According to the state’s Attorney General’s office, the cryptocurrency-focused firm was “fraudulently” managing and selling securities. Also read: U.S. Lawmaker Wants Ethics Committee to Form Bitcoin Disclosure … Read more