The Daily: Huobi Adds USD Trading Pairs, Airswap Launches Fiat-to-Crypto Exchange

In this edition of The Daily, we cover two announcements regarding fiat-to-crypto trading services. The U.S. subsidiary of Huobi has introduced pairs between three cryptocurrencies and the U.S. dollar and peer-to-peer platform Airswap has enabled users to exchange fiat currency for ethereum. There’s also a new development in the Quadrigacx saga – a judge has … Read more

Regulations Roundup: Cryptocurrency Campaign Donations, US Judge Warns Malaysians

In recent regulatory news, a report by the Center for Public Integrity has explored the potential for cryptocurrency donations to obfuscate politicians’ sources of funding, a U.S. judge has urged the Malaysian public to exercise due diligence when considering seeking exposure to cryptocurrencies, and a report conducted by IBM Blockchain and the Official Monetary and … Read more

US Federal Court Fines Bitcoin Ponzi Schemer Over $2.5 Million

A U.S. federal court has fined a New York firm and its chief executive officer over $2.5 million in the first anti-fraud action involving bitcoin filed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The Ponzi scheme involved a fake pooled investment strategy and a “fake computer ‘hack’ that supposedly caused the loss of nearly all customer funds,” … Read more

Four Court Cases Confirm Cryptocurrencies Are Commodities in the US

Cryptocurrencies are commodities, according to four court cases involving the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). A federal judge recently ruled that a token is a commodity, certifying the CFTC’s authority to prosecute fraud and manipulation in the crypto space. In her ruling, the judge cited three other crypto-related cases that arrive at the same … Read more

Prolific Bitcoin Dealer ‘Blew a Giant Hole’ Through US Legal Framework

A Mexico-based “prolific bitcoin dealer” has been indicted and held without bond in the US on a number of international money laundering charges. He used Bitfinex for his exchange needs after Coinbase closed his account. His “activities ‘blew a giant hole’ through the legal framework of U.S. anti-money laundering laws,” the Department of Justice wrote. … Read more

US Judge Orders Alleged Hacker to Pay Bail in Cryptocurrency

A US federal judge has ordered an alleged hacker to pay the equivalent of $750,000 in cryptocurrency for bail. The man was charged with hacking video game company Electronic Arts (EA), obtaining in-game currency used to buy and sell in-game items, and selling access to online games though black-market websites. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance … Read more

#FreeRoss Activities Are Gaining Steam

The trial and conviction of Ross Ulbricht for his administration of the Silk Road darknet market represented a landmark event in cryptocurrency. For many, the investigation and sentencing were a contradiction to the commonly held belief that cryptocurrency and activities involving cryptocurrency could not be regulated by the government. For others, the injustices and illegalities … Read more

Japan Gives Jail Sentence to Crypto Miner in a Remote Mining Case

A Japanese district court has, for the first time, sentenced a man to prison in a remote crypto mining case. The case follows the arrests of Coinhive users by the police in 10 prefectures. However, this case is different from previously discussed cases of mining cryptocurrencies using website visitors’ computers. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance … Read more

US Court Rules Alibaba Powerless to Stop Cryptocurrency Using Its Name

A U.S. District Court has ruled against Chinese conglomerate Alibaba Group in favor of a Dubai-based cryptocurrency foundation, Alibabacoin. The judge says Alibaba Group did not show any jurisdiction in the U.S. and China’s ban on initial coin offerings eliminates any potential confusion. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space No Jurisdiction for … Read more

Ukraine to Compensate a Citizen in Bitcoin – for ”Moral Damages”

A district court in Kiev Oblast has accepted a lawsuit which is setting a precedent in Ukraine. The plaintiff seeks compensation in bitcoin for “moral damages” caused by law enforcement officials. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled after the presiding judge found no legal grounds to reject the claim. Also read: Lawsuit Challenges Google’s Ban … Read more