Florida Appeals Court Defines Bitcoin as Money as Espinoza Ruling Reversed

In 2016, Judge Teresa Mary Pooler of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida made headlines for a ruling she made during the Michell Espinoza trial. Judge Pooler ruled Espinoza could not be charged with illegal money transmission offenses because bitcoin was not considered legal tender. However, a motion filed with the Florida appeals court has … Read more

Money Transmitter License Not Required for Crypto Businesses in Pennsylvania

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) published guidance for virtual currency businesses operating in the state. The state’s financial agency has decided a money transmission license for cryptocurrency operations is not required. Also Read: Former Mt Gox CEO Reflects on Incarceration in Japan While Facing More Prison Time Banking Department … Read more

Another US Bitcoin Trader Faces Prison for Illegal Money Transmission

This week in Southern California a Los Angeles woman who called herself the ‘Bitcoin Maven’ will be sentenced this Monday after pleading guilty for illegal money transmission. According to law enforcement, the woman made close to $300,000 USD annually by selling BTC on the peer-to-peer exchange Localbitcoins.   Also read: Bitcoin Cash Innovation Continues with the … Read more

US Bitcoin Trader Convicted for Illegal Money Transmission and Laundering

The U.S. government has been cracking down on individuals utilizing the peer-to-peer platform Localbitcoins. This week an Arizona resident named Thomas Costanzo was convicted for money laundering tied to over $164,000 worth of cryptocurrency trades. Also Read: Arizona Localbitcoins Trader Detained by U.S. Homeland Security Two Years Worth of BTC Trades Investigated The U.S. Attorneys Office … Read more

ICE Agency Charges Payza and Two Canadian Citizens With Bitcoin Money Laundering

This week the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security agency (ICE) has revealed that it is charging two Canadian brothers and the company Payza with illegal money transmission and money laundering charges tethered to cryptocurrency transactions. Also read: ICO Trackers Are the New Gatekeepers of Crowdsales Money Transmitters are Required to Register With U.S. Federal … Read more