SEC Warns of Bitcoin and Ether ETF Risks — Labels BTC, ETH Highly Speculative Investments

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a bulletin warning about the risks of bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), highlighting their speculative nature. The regulator urged investors to consider potential issues like price volatility, fraud, and lack of regulatory oversight. SEC Warns Investors About Risks in Bitcoin and Ether ETPs The U.S. … Read more

UK Regulator: 87% of Crypto Firms Fail to Meet Registration Requirements

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has revealed that over 87% of crypto registrations were either rejected, withdrawn, or refused as part of its ongoing efforts to combat fraud and enhance consumer protection. In its annual report, the FCA outlined new marketing rules for crypto assets. The regulator issued 450 consumer alerts against illegal crypto … Read more

Istanbul Police Arrest Omegapro Managers Over $4 Billion Crypto Fraud Scheme

Two managers from the now-defunct crypto fraudulent investment platform Omegapro were arrested in Istanbul, according to Turkish media reports. Dutch executive Robert Velghe was arrested Tuesday, following the July arrest of Swedish co-founder Andreas Szakacs. Omegapro, founded in 2018 and registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, allegedly defrauded investors out of $4 billion by … Read more

FTC Urges Caution as Bitcoin ATM Fraud Cases Skyrocket

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported a sharp rise in scams involving bitcoin ATMs, with fraud losses increasing nearly tenfold from 2020 to 2023 and exceeding $65 million in the first half of 2024. These scams often involve impersonations and target vulnerable populations, such as older adults, with significant financial impact. FTC Warns of … Read more

Nigerian Scammer’s Crypto Wallet Seized by Kansas Attorney General

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced the recovery of an international crypto wallet and stated that the funds will be returned to a Kansas resident defrauded in a crypto scam. This followed a lawsuit against Bimbo Toyin Akinyemi, a Nigerian national accused of the fraud. The court ordered full restitution and penalties, enabling the Attorney … Read more

US Court Imposes $209 Million Penalty in Crypto Ponzi Scheme

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has ordered an Oregon resident and his entities to pay over $209 million in penalties for running Ponzi schemes disguised as crypto and carbon investment programs. This includes restitution, disgorgement of illegal profits, and a civil penalty. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has recovered … Read more

Court Upholds $1,000 Cap on Daily Crypto ATM Withdrawals in California

A California Superior Court has upheld the Digital Financial Assets Law, which includes a $1,000 daily withdrawal limit for cryptocurrency ATMs. The law also requires crypto ATM operators to obtain licenses and comply with fee limits and new disclosures. California Court Upholds Bitcoin ATM Withdrawal Limit The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) … Read more

Coinbase Legal Chief Criticizes SEC’s Vague Position on FTX Plan — Says Investors Deserve ‘Way Better’

Coinbase’s chief legal officer has criticized the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its ambiguous position regarding FTX’s proposal to repay creditors using stablecoins or other cryptocurrencies. Although the SEC did not explicitly deem these transactions illegal, it retained the right to contest them, leading to frustration within the crypto community. This uncertainty has … Read more

Plastic Surgery Fails to Help Crypto Scammer Evade Arrest After 10 Months

South Korean police arrested a man in his 40s for orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam that defrauded 158 investors of 16 billion won ($12 million). Operating from November 2021 to June 2022, he promised an 18% monthly return on investments in a fake cryptocurrency mining business. The scam resulted in individual losses ranging from 1.2 million … Read more

Washington State Probes Alleged Crypto Fraud Linked to Fake Nasdaq Exchange

The financial watchdog in Washington State is currently probing a complaint regarding a cryptocurrency platform that allegedly purports to be associated with the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. This inquiry began after an investor reportedly put in $200,000 following a solicitation on Facebook that transitioned to communication over Whatsapp. The regulator has flagged this as a potential … Read more