Hong Kong Busts Money Laundering Ring Using Tether to Wash Millions

Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested four people suspected of money laundering a total of $155 million through cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts. The city’s customs agency said this was its first case in which virtual money had been used to launder dirty cash. Money Laundering Syndicate Recycles $155 Million in Crypto and Fiat Transactions … Read more

Crypto Exchange Binance.us Hires Former Financial Regulator

Binance.us has hired Manuel Alvarez, a former financial regulator from California, to work as its chief administrative officer. The San Francisco-based crypto exchange, which sources technology from Binance, is aiming to deal with “the big question” — compliance. Binance.us Filling Roles in Compliance, Risk Management, and Legal Binance.us, powered by matching engine and wallet technologies … Read more

Crypto Derivatives Exchange Bybit to Introduce Stringent KYC Policy

The British Virgin Islands-based Bybit Fintech Limited has announced the cryptocurrency derivatives exchange is introducing an updated know-your-customer (KYC) policy on July 12. Bybit notes that it already had certain KYC requirements implemented, but the new system reform is meant to “improve security compliance for all traders.” Bybit Says Companies and Individual Clients Mandated to … Read more

Financial Watchdog FinCEN Recruits First-Ever Chief Digital Currency Advisor

Following the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) explaining the misuse of cryptocurrencies is a national priority last week, the bureau announced on Tuesday it hired its first-ever chief digital currency advisor. FinCEN’s acting director Michael Mosier detailed that Michele Korver will be the bureau’s new crypto expert and she brings “a wealth of digital currency … Read more

UBS Advises ‘Stay Clear’ of Cryptocurrencies — Warns ‘Regulators Will Crack Down on Crypto’

Switzerland’s largest bank, UBS, has advised investors to “stay clear” of cryptocurrencies and “build their portfolio around less risky assets.” The UBS analysts warned that “Regulators have demonstrated they can and will crack down on crypto.” UBS’ Crypto Advice and Warning The global wealth management team at UBS warned in a note published last week … Read more

Binance Deploys Crypto Monitoring ‘Traveler’ System to Comply With FATF Travel Rule

Binance announced yesterday it deployed Ciphertrace’s Traveler system as part of its compliance efforts. Traveler is the first system designed for exchanges to comply with the Travel Rule proposed by the Financial Action Task Force. The exchange would be among the first wave of exchanges implementing this automatic Travel Rule compliance system. Binance Implements Ciphertrace’s … Read more

FATF’s Annual Crypto Review Highlights ‘Continued Use of Anonymity Tactics’ and ‘Lack of Effective’ Regulation

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has published the organization’s 12-month review and the research highlights that only 45% of the 128 reporting jurisdictions have complied with AML/CFT policy and FATF recommendations. The annual review stresses that the “lack [of] effective” regulation makes it “challenging for competent authorities to follow the transaction trail, buying more … Read more

Vaneck Files Prospectus With US Regulator to Launch a Bitcoin Mutual Fund

On June 21, the wealth manager Vaneck filed a prospectus to launch what it calls a Bitcoin Strategy Fund. The prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) explains the fund will procure bitcoin exchange-traded products and futures. Vaneck’s Fund Will Invest in Bitcoin Futures and Pooled Investments Tied to the Leading Crypto … Read more

Japan’s Top Financial Watchdog Sends a Warning Crypto Derivatives Exchange Bybit

The Japanese government’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has issued a warning to the crypto derivatives exchange Bybit claiming that the trading platform is allowing residents of Japan access to the exchange. The news follows the Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda criticizing digital currencies for speculation. Japan’s FSA Warns Bybit Fintech Limited Japan’s top regulator … Read more

South Korean Financial Supervisory Service Tasked With Crypto Market Oversight

The Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea will lead government efforts to oversee the country’s expanding cryptocurrency market. The agency has been tasked with the job after prolonged discussions over which Korean regulator should be responsible for the industry. Financial Supervisory Service Takes Responsibility for Crypto Sector in Korea It took the government months to … Read more