Russian Charged With Laundering Ransomware Proceeds in Crypto Pleads Guilty in US

A Russian national accused of processing cryptocurrency payments from ransomware attacks has pleaded guilty to money laundering in the United States. The man who was extradited from the Netherlands in mid-August, last year, will be sentenced in April. Russian Crypto Launderer Pleads Guilty in US Court, May Get Up to 20 Years in Prison An … Read more

Hive Ransomware Network Dismantled by American, European Law Enforcement

Law enforcement authorities from over a dozen countries in Europe and North America have taken part in disrupting the activities of the Hive ransomware group, the U.S. Justice Department and Europol announced. Hive is believed to have targeted various organizations worldwide in the past couple of years, often extorting payments in cryptocurrency. Captured Decryption Keys … Read more

Ransomware Revenue Drops as Victims Pay Less Often, Chainalysis Reports

While the number of ransomware hits may not have decreased significantly, the revenue from such attacks has fallen sharply last year, according to Chainalysis. The blockchain forensics firm believes that to a large extent the trend can be attributed to more of the targeted organizations refusing to pay the perpetrators. Chainalysis Registers Significant Decline in … Read more

US ‘Kidnapped’ Russian Crypto Businessman Denis Dubnikov, Lawyer Says

U.S. law enforcement agents have “kidnapped” crypto entrepreneur Denis Dubnikov in Mexico, before transferring him to the Netherlands where he was arrested, his lawyer told Russian media. Dubnikov is suspected of money laundering and faces up to 20 years in prison if extradited to the United States. FBI Accused of Kidnapping Russian Citizen With Cryptocurrency … Read more

US Senator Launches Investigation Into ‘How Cryptocurrencies Facilitate Cybercrimes’

A U.S. senator has launched an investigation into the rise of ransomware attacks as well as how cryptocurrencies facilitate cybercrimes. “The investigation will also look into current oversight efforts and regulations related to virtual currencies,” the senator explained. Investigation Into Crypto’s Use in Cybercrimes U.S. Senator Gary Peters announced last week a bipartisan “investigation into … Read more

Joe Biden Directs US Intelligence to Investigate Ransomware Attack Against Florida IT Firm

Joe Biden wants to crackdown on ransomware according to statements he made on Friday, after hackers hijacked software from a Miami-based IT supplier called Kaseya. Hundreds of American businesses were affected by the breach as the attackers encrypted the files of some 200 clients. Biden said on Friday that he’s ordered an investigation into the … Read more

FinCEN Names Misuse of Cryptocurrencies a National Priority

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has named “cybercrime, including relevant cybersecurity and virtual currency considerations” a national priority. In particular, the Treasury is concerned about the “misuse of virtual assets that exploits and undermines their innovative potential, including through laundering of illicit proceeds.” FinCEN, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, published … Read more

Mad Money’s Jim Cramer Dumps His Bitcoin Over China Mining Crackdown and Ransomware Concerns

Mad Money host Jim Cramer said he has sold almost all of his bitcoin. He cited the Chinese government’s crackdown on bitcoin mining and concerns over bitcoin’s role in ransomware attacks. Jim Cramer Worried About China’s Mining Crackdown and Ransomware, Sold Almost All His Bitcoin The host of CNBC’s Mad Money show, Jim Cramer, revealed … Read more

G7 Leaders Ask Russia to Urgently Identify Those Who Abuse Cryptocurrency in Ransomware Attacks

The G7 leaders have called on Russia to urgently “identify, disrupt, and hold to account” ransomware hackers and those abusing cryptocurrency to launder ransoms. “We reiterate our interest in stable and predictable relations with Russia, and will continue to engage where there are areas of mutual interest,” the G7 leaders said. G7 Nations Ask Russia … Read more

US Senators Call for Increased Measures to Regulate and Trace Cryptocurrencies

Two U.S. senators have urged lawmakers to increase measures to regulate cryptocurrencies, including how to trace cryptocurrency transactions, in order to combat ransomware attacks. “We haven’t figured out in the country or in the world how to trace cryptocurrency,” one senator said, adding that “We’ve got to do a better job here.” Senators Urge Lawmakers … Read more