Ukraine, US Shut Down 9 Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Supported by U.S. law enforcement, police in Ukraine have disrupted a network of crypto exchange services suspected of laundering criminal proceeds. The platforms were allegedly processing dirty money obtained from ransomware attacks and various fraud schemes. Cyberpolice, US Investigators Bust Crypto Exchanges in Ukraine Officers from Ukraine’s Cyberpolice unit and Main Investigative Department, working with … Read more

Global Law Enforcement Agencies Dismantle Darknet Marketplace Monopoly Market, Arrest 288 and Seize $53.4 Million

On May 2, 2023, Europol announced a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies from the U.S., Europe, the U.K., and Brazil culminated in 288 arrests, along with the confiscation of 850 kg of illegal drugs, 117 firearms, and $53.4 million in cash and cryptocurrencies. This joint venture, named “Operation Spector,” successfully dismantled the darknet marketplace … Read more

Report: Terraform Labs Co-Founder Do Kwon Charged by Montenegro Prosecutors

Nearly a month after Do Kwon’s arrest by Montenegro law enforcement, local prosecutors have now indicted the co-founder and CEO of Terraform Labs. The decision to indict Kwon is likely to delay attempts to extradite him to South Korea and the United States where he faces several charges. Local prosecutors have reportedly asked a court … Read more

Police in Kosovo Seize Crypto Mining Rigs From Serbs

Kosovo police have seized dozens of crypto mining devices from residents of a majority Serb region in the north of the country. Authorities in Pristina and Belgrade exchanged accusations over the move, which has the potential to raise tensions in the ethnically divided, partially recognized Balkan state. Kosovo Government Cracks Down on Crypto Mining in … Read more

Silk Road Hacker Sentenced to a Year in Prison for Wire Fraud

On April 14, 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Southern District of New York revealed that the hacker responsible for the Silk Road marketplace breach had been sentenced to a year in prison for wire fraud charges. James Zhong stole more than 50,000 bitcoin from the darknet marketplace (DNM) in September 2012. DOJ … Read more

Crypto Exchanges Must Share User Data With Russia, Prosecutor General Demands

Digital asset exchanges must be obliged to provide user information to Russia’s law enforcement agencies, the country’s Prosecutor General has insisted. The circulation of cryptocurrencies in the Russian Federation needs to be regulated to counter money laundering, the official added. Cryptocurrency Exchanges Have to Report to Russian Authorities, Chief Prosecutor Says Crypto service providers should … Read more

US Government Remains a Top Bitcoin Holder With Seized Stash Valued at $5.6 Billion

As of March 25, 2023, the U.S. government held 205,515 bitcoins worth $5.6 billion, which is approximately 1.06% of the circulating supply, according to current statistics. The cache of bitcoins is a result of three forfeitures that began in 2020. Glassnode’s on-chain data reveals that on March 9, about 9,860 bitcoins worth roughly $269 million … Read more

Court Dismisses Former Monero Developer’s Bid to Have His Extradition to South Africa Declared Illegal

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in South Africa has rejected former Monero lead maintainer Riccardo Spagni’s bid to have it declare his extradition from the United States to South Africa illegal. In its ruling, the Supreme Court of Appeal insisted that Spagni did not sufficiently argue for the voiding of the extradition process. Spagni … Read more

Binance Trains Ukraine’s Cyberpolice and Security Service

Crypto exchange Binance has organized training courses for representatives of law enforcement authorities in Ukraine. The leading coin trading platform has been involved in dozens of similar initiatives over the past year, in a number of countries. Binance Provides Crypto Training to Security Officials in Ukraine The world’s largest digital asset exchange, Binance, has provided … Read more