Deep Web Confusion: Ostensible Alphabay Admin ‘Desnake’ Claims the Darknet Market Has Returned

In mid-July 2017, the largest darknet marketplace (DNM) Alphabay went dark and patrons didn’t know if the administrators were busted by law enforcement or if it was an exit scam. Not too long after the site went dark, law enforcement disclosed that an organized police task force, from various jurisdictions, infiltrated Alphabay alongside the DNM … Read more

Bithumb to Ban Foreign Traders Failing Mobile Phone Identification

South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb said it will deny access to foreigners unable to verify their identities via mobile phone. The decision comes as the trading platform moves to comply with the country’s updated regulations coming into force later this month. Korean Exchange Bithumb Prepares to Register Under New Rules Foreign nationals who do not … Read more

Revised Bill ‘On Virtual Assets’ Aims to Regulate Ukraine’s Crypto Space This Summer

The Ukrainian parliament has released an updated version of the draft law “On Virtual Assets.” The revised bill requires exchanges to obtain government authorization, disclose their ownership and implement mandatory KYC procedures. The document has been criticized by regulators in Kyiv but the government wants the legislation passed before the parliament’s summer break. Draft Law … Read more

Dutch Central Bank Revokes Strict Verification Rules for Crypto Exchanges

The cryptocurrency industry in the Netherlands has won a small but significant battle. The country’s central bank has canceled some excessive verification procedures that it imposed on crypto service providers last fall. The move comes after a local exchange took the matter to court. DNB Takes a Step Back on Unlawful KYC Requirements De Nederlandsche … Read more

Ukraine to Oversee Crypto Transactions Above $1,200, Sees Opportunities in Legalization Not Risks

Cryptocurrency transactions in Ukraine will be strictly monitored by the state, although the country’s finance minister admits that it’s not digital coins but fiat cash that criminals and corrupt officials are more likely to use. The legalization of cryptocurrencies remains a priority in Kiev as the government has indicated its clear understanding that the benefits … Read more

Utorg Exchange Grants Access to Traders With Limited Verification

Utorg.io is a digital asset exchange based in the U.K. that allows users in Europe and around the world to trade cryptocurrencies with stablecoins and fiat money. What sets the new platform apart from many incumbents is the simplified verification procedure for traders who don’t exceed а daily limit of $1,000. Its decision to provide … Read more