US Prosecutors Seek Reduced Sentence for Bitfinex Hacker Ilya Lichtenstein 

U.S. prosecutors are requesting a reduced sentence for Ilya Lichtenstein, the mastermind behind the 2016 Bitfinex bitcoin heist, citing his significant cooperation in recovering stolen assets. Lichtenstein faces sentencing for stealing 120,000 bitcoin, worth $71 million at the time. U.S. Government Recommends Lighter Sentence for Bitfinex Hacker Due to Cooperation Prosecutors are recommending a lighter … Read more

Smart Contracts Achieve Legal Breakthrough in Argentina

Smart contracts, the blockchain-automated programs, are now legal in Argentina after local jurisdiction recognized the enforceability of the first one. They can now be used to execute rental agreements, purchase payments, and other legal contracts, as cryptocurrency is now approved for use as payment in commercial contracts in the country. Smart Contracts Reach Legally Enforceable … Read more

Ripple CEO Slams SEC for Ignoring XRP Ruling, Claims Agency Oversteps Legal Authority

Ripple’s CEO has intensified criticism of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), accusing the agency of ignoring a court ruling that XRP is not a security and overstepping its legal bounds. His remarks came after Bitnomial Exchange filed a lawsuit against the SEC, disputing the regulator’s authority over XRP futures. The case adds to … Read more

Ripple Fires Back at SEC: Cross-Appeal Seeks to Overturn Unresolved XRP Issues

Ripple has escalated its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), filing a cross-appeal to challenge unresolved issues around XRP sales. This comes after the SEC sought to overturn parts of the rulings that cleared Ripple’s retail XRP transactions from securities violations. Ripple’s latest move aims to ensure the SEC’s arguments on … Read more

Prosecutors Recommend 18-Month Prison Term for Heather Morgan in Bitfinex Hack Case

Heather Morgan, known by her rap persona “Razzlekhan,” could land an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to laundering cryptocurrency linked to the 2016 Bitfinex hack. Prosecutors described her role as pivotal in obscuring stolen bitcoin through complex schemes, despite not being part of the original theft. Her cooperation, and the influence of her husband, … Read more

Brazilian Authorities Launch Operation Targeting Entities Facilitating Crypto Money Laundering

The Brazilian Federal Police launched Operation Alcacaria this Wednesday, aiming to thwart the action of a network focused on providing money laundering services using cryptocurrency. The operation involved 62 search warrants, 13 arrest warrants, and the seizure of funds of the involved entities in banks. Brazilian Authorities Execute Operation Alcacaria Against Crypto Money Laundering Actors … Read more

DC Circuit Court Rules Kalshi’s US Election Bets Legal

This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled in favor of the predictions market Kalshi, allowing the commodities exchange to offer event contracts based on the outcome of U.S. congressional elections. Circuit Judge Millett’s opinion supports the legality of the contracts, dismissing claims of gaming or election gambling. … Read more

DOJ Charges 21-Year-Old in $37M Cyber Intrusion and Crypto Heist

A 21-year-old from Indiana has pleaded guilty to cyber intrusion and cryptocurrency theft in a massive scheme targeting hundreds of victims. His actions involved stealing personal data and cryptocurrency worth over $37 million, with law enforcement crediting significant investigative efforts for his capture. FBI Cracks Global Cryptocurrency Theft Network The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) … Read more

Swan Bitcoin Alleges Ex-Employees Conspired to Steal Mining Business

A newly filed lawsuit claims that Swan Bitcoin, a financial services company focused on bitcoin, is accusing former employees of trying to hijack its “billion-dollar bitcoin mining business.” According to the suit, Swan’s subsidiary Electric Solidus alleges that Proton Management dubbed a “copycat company” in the filing, stole trade secrets from their mining operations. Swan … Read more

NY Judge Denies Tornado Cash Developer’s Motion to Dismiss, Trial Set for December

Roman Storm, a software developer of Tornado Cash, is headed to trial after a New York judge ruled against his motion to dismiss criminal charges. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla rejected Storm’s request to drop charges tied to money laundering and sanctions violations. Russian co-defendant Roman Semenov remains elusive and on the run, evading capture … Read more