Tag Archives: cryptocurrency

Crypto Trust to Become Bank, FinCEN Comment Period Extended, Navy Awards Blockchain Contract, Dark Market Seized, Illicit Exchange Owner Sentenced

In this issue: • Crypto Trust to Convert to Bank, FinCEN Extends New Rule Comment Period • Bitcoin Firms List on Public Markets, Japan Diverges from SEC on XRP Status • Navy Contracts for Blockchain Solution, SSI Report and Market Data Published • Enforcement Actions Target Dark Web Market and Illicit Crypto Exchange Crypto Trust … Continue Reading

NY DFS Approves New Stablecoin Co., Blockchain Data Solutions Announced, New Cryptocurrency Regulatory and Enforcement Actions in U.S. and Abroad

By Jordan R. Silversmith, Teresa Goody Guillén, Veronica Reynolds and Joanna F. Wasick on January 8, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • NY DFS Approves New Stablecoin Company, Crypto Financial Products Continue Growth • Blockchain Used To Enhance Auto Geofencing and Combat Whiskey Fraud • US Financial Regulators Continue Crypto-Focused Regulatory Proposals • OFAC Settles With Crypto Custodian; Enforcement Actions in UK, Italy, Iran NY DFS Approves New Stablecoin Company, Crypto Financial Products … Continue Reading

FinCEN Proposes New Crypto Record-Keeping Rules; SEC and CFTC Issue Digital Asset Guidance; SEC Closes 2020 With Multiple Enforcement Actions Against Blockchain Firms

By Robert A. Musiala on January 5, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement

In this issue: • FinCEN Proposed Rule Creates New Cryptocurrency Record-Keeping Requirements • SEC Issues Statement on Digital Asset Custody, CFTC Issues Digital Assets Primer • SEC Closes 2020 With Multiple Blockchain Industry Enforcement Actions FinCEN Proposed Rule Creates New Cryptocurrency Record-Keeping Requirements By: Robert A. Musiala Jr. On Dec. 18, 2020, the Financial Crimes … Continue Reading

Traditional and Crypto Firms Across Globe Launch New Initiatives, UN Designs Blockchain Land Registry, Privacy Wallets Spark Debate, Crypto Enforcement Continues

By Veronica Reynolds, Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Marc Powers and Teresa Goody Guillén on December 11, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Tax

In this issue: • Cryptocurrency Firms and Legacy Financial Instituadingtions Worldwide Make Crypto Moves • Traditional and Crypto Firms Partner to Launch Tokenized Stocks and Other Products • UN Designs Blockchain Land Registry; Solutions Address Supply Chain, Energy Efficiency • Crypto Privacy Wallets Spark Debate, Blockstack Says STX Will Shed Security Status • U.S. and … Continue Reading

US Crypto Debit Card Launches, Cayman Islands Announces VASP Regulations, Enterprise Developments in Telecom and Transport, DOJ Seizes $1 Billion in Bitcoin

By Joanna F. Wasick, Robert A. Musiala and Jordan R. Silversmith on November 6, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • US Crypto Debit Card Launches, Cayman VASP Regs Announced, INX to List in Canada • Blockchain Developments in Telecommunications, Transportation and Digital Identity • DOJ Seizes $1 Billion in Bitcoin from Silk Road, DOJ and CFTC Prosecute Crypto Fraud US Crypto Debit Card Launches, Cayman VASP Regs Announced, INX to List … Continue Reading

Major U.S. Firm Offers Cryptocurrency Services, Blockchain Solutions Launch Across Industries, CFTC Issues Crypto Guidance, FinCEN Fines Tumbler Service

By Robert A. Musiala, Teresa Goody Guillén and Joanna F. Wasick on October 23, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Supply Chain

In this issue: • Major U.S. Payments Firm Launches Cryptocurrency Service as Adoption Grows • Blockchain Supply Chain, Copyright and Satellite Comms Solutions Launch • CFTC Guidance Addresses Crypto Deposits, Travel Rule White Paper Published • Arrests Target Criminal Network Using Crypto, FinCEN Fines Tumbler Operator Major U.S. Payments Firm Launches Cryptocurrency Service as Adoption … Continue Reading

U.S. Crypto Exchange Approved as Wyoming Bank; Firms Integrate Blockchain for Data Management; Multiple Enforcement Actions by Treasury, SEC, DOJ and CFTC

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith and Marc Powers on September 18, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • U.S. Crypto Exchange Approved as Wyoming Bank, MSB Regulations to be Simplified • Auto, Mining and Financial Firms Integrate Blockchain for Data Management • OFAC, DOJ, IRS and FATF Take Various Actions Against Cryptocurrency Crimes • SEC Charges ICO Issuers, DOJ and CFTC Charge Defendants in Crypto Fraud Schemes • DOJ, … Continue Reading

IRS Addresses Crypto Micropayments, Blockchain Shipping Platforms Expand, DOJ Ties North Korea Crypto Hacks to Chinese Traders, FBI Thwarts Plot Involving Bitcoin Bribe

By Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Teresa Goody Guillén and Jordan R. Silversmith on September 4, 2020 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In This Issue: • IRS Addresses Taxing Crypto Received in Microtasks, Swiss Enable Crypto Payments • Blockchain Shipping Platforms TradeLens and ShipChain Expand Networks • North Korean Crypto Hacks Laundered by Chinese; Crypto Compliance Tools Launch • FBI Thwarts Plot Tied to Bitcoin Bribe, Ethereum Classic Suffers 51% Attack IRS Addresses Taxing Crypto Received in … Continue Reading

IPO Using ERC20 Tokens Approved, Report Details APAC Bitcoin Trading Data, Quorum Is Sold/Acquired, Blockchain Initiatives for Coffee and NASA, Crypto Crimes Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds and Joanna F. Wasick on August 28, 2020 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • Blockchain Used in IPO and ATS, Bitcoin Fund Announced, APAC Trade Data Published • Quorum Acquisition Announced, Blockchain Initiatives Launch for Coffee and NASA • Crypto Crimes Continue in Ransomware, Fraud, Wash Trading and Tax Evasion Schemes Blockchain Used in IPO and ATS, Bitcoin Fund Announced, APAC Trade Data Published By: … Continue Reading

Crypto Payment Products Show Gains, Blockchain Initiatives Announced for COVID-19 Data, Regulators Consider Blockchain Issues, Ethereum Classic Suffers 51% Attack

By Robert A. Musiala, Teresa Goody Guillén, Joanna F. Wasick and Jordan R. Silversmith on August 7, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Food Supply Chain

In this issue: • Announcements Provide Details on New Cryptocurrency Payment Products • Blockchain Use in COVID-19 Data, Food, Beverage Bottles and Wine Supply Chains • Regulators Consider Blockchain Issues in Tax, Banking, Securities and State Services • DOJ Targets Hackers and Darknet Vendors, Ethereum Classic Suffers “51% Attack” Announcements Provide Details on New Cryptocurrency … Continue Reading

Crypto-Focused Bank Achieves Approval in Wyoming, US HHS Implements Blockchain, NY Challenge to OCC Fintech Charter Continues, ICO Issuer Charged in Fraud Scheme

By Marc Powers, Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds and Joanna F. Wasick on July 31, 2020 Posted in Cryptocurrency, ICOs

In this issue: • Crypto-Focused Bank Approved in Wyoming, Initiatives Advance in Foreign Markets • US HHS Implements Blockchain; Clothing, Food and Shipping Platforms Expand • NY Challenges OCC Fintech Charter in 2nd Circuit, Fintech Report Covers First Half of 2020 • ICO Issuer Charged With Fraud in US, Chinese Police Arrest 27 for PlusToken … Continue Reading

New Crypto Services Address Custody, Payment Cards and ATS’s, OCC Says Banks Can Custody Crypto, DOJ Charges Bitcoin ATM Operator and Crypto Fraudster

By Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick and Jordan R. Silversmith on July 24, 2020 Posted in Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • Reports Detail New Plans for Crypto Custody Services, Payment Cards and ATS Platforms • OCC Says Banks Can Custody Crypto, IRS and UK/FCA Act on Crypto Initiatives • DOJ Charges Bitcoin ATM Operator/Crypto Fraudster, Canada Exchange Settles Charges Reports Detail New Plans for Crypto Custody Services, Payment Cards and ATS Platforms … Continue Reading

New York Appellate Court Confirms Attorney General’s Broad Investigative Powers into the Cryptocurrency Industry

By Jonathan A. Forman, Teresa Goody Guillén and Robert A. Musiala on July 15, 2020 Posted in Cryptocurrency

On July 9, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department (First Department) issued a significant decision in James v. iFinex that confirmed the broad authority of the New York State Attorney General (NYAG) to investigate potential fraud. The decision is significant because it is the first appellate decision to apply … Continue Reading

Canada’s Largest Cryptocurrency Exchange Found to Have Operated Like a Ponzi Scheme

By Teresa Goody Guillén and Michelle Tanney on June 30, 2020 Posted in Cryptocurrency

On June 11, 2020 the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), one of Canada’s provincial securities regulators, issued a report finding that QuadrigaCX (Quadriga), which went into bankruptcy a few months after founder and CEO Gerald Cotten was reported to have died in India, “was an old-fashioned fraud wrapped in modern technology.”[1] The report, dated April 2020, … Continue Reading

Blockchain Food Tracing Initiatives Add Members, Report Addresses Central Bank Digital Currencies, NY DFS Publishes Crypto Guidance, Enforcement Actions Continue

By Jordan R. Silversmith, Veronica Reynolds, Robert A. Musiala and Joanna F. Wasick on June 26, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Food Supply Chain

In this issue: • Seafood Association, Restaurant Chain Announce Blockchain Supply Chain Partnerships • Sweden Report Addresses Central Bank Digital Currencies, Fintech Firms Explore Crypto • NY DFS and UK FCA Publish Crypto Guidance, Firms Announce Compliance Initiatives • U.S. and Foreign Agencies Take Enforcement Actions, Crypto Threat Reports Published Seafood Association, Restaurant Chain Announce … Continue Reading

U.S. Air Force Explores Blockchain, Global Blockchain Survey Published, Crypto Debit Card Launches, Compliance Initiatives Announced, Quadriga CX Report Published

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith and Teresa Goody Guillén on June 18, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • U.S. and Australia Explore Blockchain Solutions, Global Blockchain Survey Published • U.S. Cryptocurrency Debit Card Launches, Gaming Firm Announces Token Initiative • SEC and Industry Promote Regulatory Compliance Solutions for Blockchain Market • OSC Issues Report Finding QuadrigaCX Operated Like a Ponzi Scheme U.S. and Australia Explore Blockchain Solutions, Global Blockchain … Continue Reading

Solutions Announced in Pharma, Energy and Food Industries, Digital Dollar Project Launches, France Approves Second ICO, Major Crypto AML Report Published

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Teresa Goody Guillén and Marc Powers on June 5, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, ICOs

In this issue: • Blockchain Solutions Launch in Pharma, Energy and Food Industries • Digital Dollar Project Launches, Cryptocurrency Focused Bank Receives Investment • French Regulator Approves ICO, New Token Standards Body Launches • DOJ and SEC Continue Prosecuting Crypto Crimes, CipherTrace Issues AML Report Blockchain Solutions Launch in Pharma, Energy and Food Industries By: … Continue Reading

Tezos and ATB Cryptocurrency Class Action Cases Provide Guidance on Different Factors Driving Settlements Against ICO Issuers for Securities Laws Registration Violations

By Marc Powers and Joanna F. Wasick on June 4, 2020 Posted in Cryptocurrency

On April 30, 2020, a federal court in San Francisco preliminarily approved a $25 million class action settlement against the Swiss-based Tezos Foundation, its Californian founders, and other domestic and foreign firms directly involved in the 2017 initial coin offering (ICO) of its token, XTZ. The Tezos offering was conducted on a worldwide basis to … Continue Reading

Cryptocurrency Trading Firms Expand Services Through Acquisitions, Regulatory Approvals and Investments, SEC Charges ICO Issuer, Crypto Malware Attack Detected

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith and Joanna F. Wasick on May 29, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, ICOs

In this issue: • U.S. Crypto Trading Firms Make Acquisitions Targeted at “Prime Brokerage” Services • FINRA Approves Blockchain ATS, Institutional Crypto Trading Firm Expands Reach • SEC Announces Charges and Consent Order Against Issuer of $25.5 Million ICO • Major Crypto Mining Malware Attack Detected U.S. Crypto Trading Firms Make Acquisitions Targeted at “Prime … Continue Reading

Crypto Payment Products Target Foreign Markets, Blockchain Enterprise Solutions Launch, Private Lawsuits Target Crypto Firms, Major Mining Malware Attack Detected

By Jordan R. Silversmith, Robert A. Musiala and Teresa Goody Guillén on May 22, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • Payments Evolve: USD Stablecoin Accounts for Latin America and Crypto Debit Cards • Blockchain Initiatives Launch for Food Supply Chain and Intercompany Transactions • Crypto Trade Group Meets With SEC, FinCEN Director Addresses Cryptocurrencies • Private Litigants Continue to Target Major Blockchain Industry Companies • Reports Detail Major Crypto-Mining Malware Attack, … Continue Reading

CFTC Approves Bitcoin Futures, Crypto Initiatives Launch, Blockchain Traceability and Energy Solutions Deployed, South Africa and Singapore Issue Regulations

By Teresa Goody Guillén, Robert A. Musiala and Joanna F. Wasick on April 24, 2020 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • CFTC Approves Bitcoin Futures and Prosecutes Fraud, Amicus Brief Filed in Kik Case • Emerging Blockchain Payment and Crypto Custody Solutions Announce New Milestones • Blockchain Solutions Deployed in Egg Traceability, Energy Trading and Mobility Services • South Africa and Singapore Issue New Cryptocurrency Policies and Regulatory Guidance CFTC Approves Bitcoin … Continue Reading

Court Applies Single Scheme Theory To Grant the SEC’s Preliminary Injunction in Telegram Cryptocurrency Case

By John Harrington, John Gherlein, Teresa Goody Guillén, Jonathan A. Forman, Adam Gale and Robert A. Musiala on April 2, 2020 Posted in Cryptocurrency

On March 24, Judge P. Kevin Castel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) motion for a preliminary injunction in the closely followed Telegram case. The preliminary injunction continues to prevent the delivery by Telegram Group Inc. and TON Issuer (collectively, Telegram) of … Continue Reading

Token Litigation Cases Reach Milestones, Stablecoins and CBDCs Gain Attention, CFTC Approves Guidelines for ‘Actual Delivery’ of Virtual Currency

By Teresa Goody Guillén, Robert A. Musiala, Simone O. Otenaike and Jordan R. Silversmith on March 27, 2020 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • Telegram, Kik and Tezos Cases Reach Milestones in Blockchain Token Litigation • Stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies Gain Attention • CFTC Approves Guidelines for Delivery of Virtual Currencies, Web Browser Integrates Cryptocurrency Trading Telegram, Kik and Tezos Cases Reach Milestones in Blockchain Token Litigation By Teresa Goody Guillén and Robert … Continue Reading

Multiple Blockchain Enterprise and Crypto Payment Initiatives Announced, New Crypto AML Rules in Canada and Singapore, DOJ Enforcement Continues

By Simone O. Otenaike, Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Veronica Reynolds and Joanna F. Wasick on March 20, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • Blockchain Traceability Developments for Automobile, Pharma and Art Industries • Blockchain Identity and Privacy Solution Developments, Ethereum Used to Avoid Censors • Blockchain Payment Initiatives Introduced in India, Latin America, Thailand and US • New Cryptocurrency Anti-Money Laundering Rules Announced in Canada and Singapore • DOJ Prosecutes Crypto Crimes, Analysis of … Continue Reading