Tag Archives: DOJ

NFT Initiatives Launch; OFAC Adds Crypto Public Keys to SDN List; Treasury Dept. Publishes Crypto Reports; Crypto Enforcement and Hacks Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Lauren Bass, Jordan R. Silversmith and Keith R. Murphy on September 23, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • Non-Fungible Marketing: Brands Continue to Launch NFTs• OFAC Adds Crypto Public Keys to SDN List Related to Russian Group• US Department of the Treasury Publishes Digital Asset Reports and RFC• Republican Senator Criticizes SEC Approach to Crypto Markets• DOJ and SEC Target Crypto Fraud and Unregistered ‘Crypto Asset Securities’• Cryptocurrency Market … Continue Reading

Ethereum Moves to PoS; Firms Launch Crypto, NFT Initiatives; EO Crypto Energy Impact Report Published; Crypto Addressed by OFAC, DOJ, SEC, U.S. Senators

By Robert A. Musiala, Joanna F. Wasick, Jordan R. Silversmith and Keith R. Murphy on September 16, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • Ethereum Network Completes Transition to Proof of Stake Consensus• Crypto Exchange, Bitcoin Futures ETF Launch; Crypto Adoption Data Published• Major Coffee and Scotch Brands Launch NFT Initiatives• OFAC Adds Crypto Public Keys to SDN List, Addresses Tornado Cash Sanctions• Major U.S. Exchange Backs Lawsuit Challenging OFAC Tornado Cash Sanctions• Office of … Continue Reading

NFT Initiatives Launch Across Markets; US Banking Regulators Address Crypto; DOJ and Congress Target Crypto Fraud; FBI Cites Risks as DeFi Hacks Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Christina Gotsis, Joanna F. Wasick and Jordan R. Silversmith on September 9, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Government, NFT, NFTs

In this issue: • NFT Initiatives Launch in Ticket Sales, Social Media and College Football• US Banking Regulators Publish DeFi Analysis, Address Crypto in Speeches• DOJ Targets Crypto Fraud, House Subcommittee Addresses Consumer Risks• FBI Cites DeFi Hacking Threats as Hacks Continue; Reports Identify ISIS NFT NFT Initiatives Launch in Ticket Sales, Social Media and … Continue Reading

Combatting Fraud and Corruption in the NFT Market

By George Stamboulidis, Christina Gotsis, Jordan R. Silversmith and Robert A. Musiala on August 30, 2022 Posted in NFT

On Oct. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of a National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team to tackle investigations and prosecutions of criminal misuses of cryptocurrency. As the non-fungible token (NFT) market continues to expand, DOJ’s heightened focus on cryptocurrency has begun to encompass NFTs. Just as with any other market, a … Continue Reading

NFT Endorsements Scrutinized; Bank Crypto Guidance Issued; DOJ, CFTC and SEC Bring Crypto Enforcement Actions; Research Finds Crypto Insider Trading

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Keith R. Murphy, Kayley Sullivan and Lauren Bass on August 19, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: NFTs Expand on Social Media, Celebrity NFT Endorsements Scrutinized Federal Reserve Addresses Crypto; Senator Inquires About Bank-Crypto Relations DOJ, CFTC and SEC Crypto Enforcement Targets Tax Evasion, Fraud and ICOs US and Foreign Law Enforcement Target Cryptocurrency Money Laundering DeFi Stablecoin Hacked; Research Finds Evidence of Crypto Insider Trading NFTs Expand on … Continue Reading

New NFT Initiatives Launch Across Industries; Banking Agencies Publish Crypto Guidance; Enforcement Agencies Bring Crypto Actions; Crypto Hacks Reported

By Robert A. Musiala, Lauren Bass, Joanna F. Wasick and Jordan R. Silversmith on August 5, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • New NFT Initiatives Announced in Jewelry, Automobile and Liquor Industries• US Banking Agencies Publish Notices on Crypto Firms and Deposit Insurance• Multiple Agencies Target Cryptocurrency Fraud and Regulatory Violations• Nomad Bridge Hacked, Stolen Crypto Valued at Approximately $200 Million• Multiple Hacks Reported Across Various Sectors of the Cryptocurrency Market New NFT … Continue Reading

Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Decreases; Crypto Addressed by CFTC Chair; Congress Addresses Crypto Tax, Accounting; Crypto Enforcement and Crimes Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Jordan R. Silversmith, Keith R. Murphy, Christina Gotsis and Lauren Bass on July 29, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: Bitcoin Network Mining Difficulty Continues Downward Trend Amid Heat Wave CFTC Chair Addresses Crypto; Proposed Bill Would Simplify Crypto Tax Rules Congress Members Criticize SEC Bulletin on Crypto Accounting Treatment DOJ, SEC and OFAC Continue Cryptocurrency Enforcement Actions Reports Show Hackers Turning to Cryptojacking and DeFi to Siphon Crypto Bitcoin Network Mining … Continue Reading

SEC and DOJ Bring Parallel Crypto Insider Trading Cases; SEC Alleges Nine Tokens Are Securities

By John J. Carney, Kevin Edgar, Jonathan A. Forman, Adam Gale, Teresa Goody Guillén, Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds and Michelle Tanney on July 25, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

Significant parallel actions commenced this week by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) bring crypto fraud enforcement into the spotlight, with the SEC alleging that multiple tokens listed on Coinbase are securities. In its first insider trading case of “crypto asset securities,” the SEC charged a former Coinbase product manager, his … Continue Reading

Crypto Platforms Achieve Foreign Approvals; DOJ Seizes Crypto Ransomware Funds; CFTC Adds Crypto Firms to RED List; Crypto Fraud and Threats Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Keith R. Murphy, Michael Rivera and Lauren Bass on July 22, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • Foreign Regulators Approve Crypto Platforms; Ethereum Approaching PoS• DOJ Seizes $500K in Ransomware Crypto; CFTC Adds Crypto Firms to RED List• Fraud, Mixers, Ransomware and the Darkweb: Cryptocurrency Threats Continue Foreign Regulators Approve Crypto Platforms; Ethereum Approaching PoS By Keith R. Murphy According to recent reports, several major cryptocurrency platforms have … Continue Reading

Financial and Crypto Firms Explore Integration; NFT Market Expands; FATF/Basel Publish Crypto Guidance; DOJ/CFTC Bring Crypto Actions; DeFi Hacks Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Keith R. Murphy, Lauren Bass, Joanna F. Wasick, Christina Gotsis and Alex Karambelas on July 8, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFT

In this issue: Financial Firm Launches Crypto Group, MakerDAO Votes to Integrate with Bank NFT Market Continues to Expand with Brand Activations and Infringement Suit FATF and Basel Committee Publish New Guidance on Cryptocurrencies DOJ, CFTC Bring Multiple Enforcement Actions Against Crypto Fraud Schemes North Korean Lazarus Group Suspected in Recent DeFi Hack Financial Firm … Continue Reading

DOJ Calls on International Partners to Improve Investigative Efficiency in Response to President Biden’s Executive Order on Risks Involving Digital Assets

By Carlos Ortiz, Robert A. Musiala, Teresa Goody Guillén, John J. Carney, Christina Gotsis, Veronica Reynolds and Kayley Sullivan on June 30, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In June 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a report (Report) recommending increased cooperation among international law enforcement agencies to combat threats and crime related to the use and proliferation of digital assets and to address obstacles unique to the asset class. Specific actions recommended by the Report include expanding U.S. relationships with international … Continue Reading

New Crypto Products Launch, Draft Digital Assets Bill Released, Regulators Address Stablecoins, DOJ Publishes Crypto Report, Hacks and Scams Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Maria Luevano, Veronica Reynolds, Alex Karambelas and Lauren Bass on June 10, 2022 Posted in Uncategorized

In this issue: • Fintech and Crypto Firms Announce Myriad New Crypto Product Launches• Senators Release Digital Assets Bill, Crypto Activists Send Letter to Congress• NY DFS and Japan Address Stablecoins, BIS Addresses Crypto ‘Fragmentation’• DOJ Calls for International Cooperation in Fight Against Crypto Crime• CFTC Sues Crypto Exchange, NY AG Issues Investor Alert, UST … Continue Reading

Banks and Retailers Embrace Crypto, Bitcoin Environmental Costs Debated, New NFT Initiatives Launch, Various Agencies Address Crypto, DeFi Hacks Continue

By Robert A. Musiala, Maria Luevano, Joanna F. Wasick, Keith R. Murphy, Teresa Goody Guillén and Alex Karambelas on May 6, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: • Banks and Retailers Venture Further into Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain• Congress Spars with Industry on Environmental Impact of Bitcoin Mining• New NFT Offerings Revealed by Entertainment, Social and Crypto Companies• FinCEN Director and NY DFS Address Cryptocurrency Risks• DOJ Targets Crypto Fraud, SEC Doubles Crypto Staff, JF Issues NFT Red Flags• Hackers … Continue Reading

SEC Signals Ramp-Up in Crypto Enforcement by Nearly Doubling Its Crypto Assets Cyber Unit Staff

By Joanna F. Wasick, Teresa Goody Guillén, Veronica Reynolds, Adam Gale, John J. Carney, Jonathan A. Forman and Robert A. Musiala on May 5, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

On May 3, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the expansion of its Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit (the Unit f/k/a the Cyber Unit) to 50 staff members, nearly double the Unit’s former size, including supervisors, investigative staff attorneys, trial counsel and fraud analysts. The Unit is a group within the Division of … Continue Reading

Crypto Payment Offerings Launch; Exchanges Achieve Foreign Approvals; Ukraine Legalizes Crypto; Regulators Issue Warnings; $28M in Bitcoin Seized

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick, Kayley Sullivan, Alex Karambelas and Jordan R. Silversmith on March 18, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: Payments Firm Unveils Crypto Services, Exchanges Achieve Foreign Approvals Blockchain Network Developments: Ethereum 2.0, Wallets, DAOs and Mining Crypto Legalized in Ukraine; New Crypto Sanctions Screening Tools Launch Regulators Issue Warnings on Crypto Retirement Plans, ATMs and Sanctions DOJ Extradites Individual Charged with Ransomware; $28M in Bitcoin Seized Payments Firm Unveils Crypto … Continue Reading

Executive Order Addresses Digital Assets; Banks and Restaurants Launch Crypto Initiatives; FinCEN Issues Alert; SEC, CFTC and DOJ Bring Actions

By Robert A. Musiala, Alex Karambelas, Veronica Reynolds, Keith R. Murphy, Joanna F. Wasick and Lauren Bass on March 11, 2022 Posted in Cryptocurrency, FinTech, Government, Securities & Exchange Commission, Uncategorized

In this issue: President Biden Issues Executive Order Addressing Digital Assets Banks Join USDF ‘Stablecoin’ Consortium, Pursue Crypto Custody Offerings U.S. Restaurants Adopt Crypto; Swiss City Calls Crypto ‘De Facto’ Legal Tender Cryptocurrency Sanctions Compliance Activity Spikes Following Russian Actions SEC, CFTC and DOJ Bring Charges Alleging Cryptocurrency Fraud Schemes President Biden Issues Executive Order … Continue Reading

Financial Firms Continue Expanding into Cryptocurrency Markets; Crypto Donations Reach Ukraine; DOJ Crypto Enforcement Continues; SEC Probes NFTs

By Robert A. Musiala, Alex Karambelas, Keith R. Murphy and Teresa Goody Guillén on March 4, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: Traditional Financial Firms Expand Reach into Cryptocurrency Sphere Cryptocurrency Donations Pour In to Fund Ukrainian Government and Charities DOJ Secures Guilty Pleas and Charges Alleged Ponzi Scheme; SEC Launches NFT Probe… Continue Reading

CBDC Research Published, Crypto Products Launch, Report Addresses NFT Money Laundering Risks, UK Addresses DeFi Tax, DOJ Brings $4.5B Crypto Case

By Robert A. Musiala, Nicholas C. Mowbray and Alex Karambelas on February 11, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In This Issue: •CBDC Research Published, Fintech Firms and Banks Launch Crypto Initiatives •US Department of Treasury Guidance Notes NFT Money Laundering Risks •A Major US Banking Agency Prioritizes Crypto; Market Integrity in Focus; UK Updates DeFi Tax Guidance •DOJ Charges Couple for Laundering $4.5B in Crypto, UN Reports Crypto Threats… Continue Reading

DOJ Targets Cryptocurrency Fraud

By John J. Carney, Robert A. Musiala, Michelle Tanney and Kayley Sullivan on October 12, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, Securities & Exchange Commission

Authorship credit: John J. Carney, Robert A. Musiala Jr., Michelle N. Tanney, and Kayley B. Sullivan On October 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the creation of a National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (“NCET” or “Team”) to tackle investigations and prosecutions of criminal misuses of cryptocurrency, including crimes committed by virtual currency exchanges, … Continue Reading

Market Updates in CBDCs, Crypto Funds, BD-ATS Platforms and Stablecoins; DOJ and CFTC Enforcement Continues; DeFi Error Releases Millions in Crypto

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Kayley Sullivan, Lauren Bass, Keith R. Murphy and Jordan R. Silversmith on October 1, 2021 Posted in Banking, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, Global, Government, NFTs

In this issue: • CBDCs Explored by the U.K., New Zealand and Major Payments Network • New Products Launch in Crypto Funds, BD-ATS Platforms and Stablecoins • Fashion, Sports, Graphic Novels and Art: NFT Market Continues to Expand • Crypto Enforcement: DOJ and CFTC Target Sanctions and Registration Violations • DeFi Error Releases Millions in … Continue Reading

NFT Market Expands in Alcohol, Athletics and Art; Regulators Warn Against Crypto Risks; U.S. Agencies Target Crypto Fraud

By Lauren Bass, Kayley Sullivan and Veronica Reynolds on September 10, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, NFT, Platforms

In this issue: • Alcohol, Athletics, and Art: NFT Adoption Continues to Expand • US, UK and Thailand Regulators Warn of Crypto Risks, Act Against Exchange • DOJ and SEC Actions Target Crypto Fraud Scheme and Crypto Exchanges Alcohol, Athletics, and Art: NFT Adoption Continues to Expand By Lauren Bass To celebrate National Rum Day, … Continue Reading

Cryptocurrency and NFT Market Growth Continues, Regulators Across Globe Target Crypto Industry as Threats Continue, Global Blockchain Survey Published

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Lauren Bass, Teresa Goody Guillén, Keith R. Murphy and Joanna F. Wasick on August 27, 2021 Posted in Banking, Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Cybersecurity, Enforcement, Global, NFT, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: •Crypto Market Develops in DeFi, Payments, Compliance and Consumer Adoption • Market Navigation, Fashion Metaverse, Online Tutorials: NFT Adoption Continues • Crypto Compliance Addressed by CFTC, Thai SEC, South Korea and UK FCA • SEC, DOJ and Ontario Securities Commission Bring Crypto Enforcement Actions • Reports Released on Crypto Scams and Malware, … Continue Reading

Crypto Initiatives Announced in Exchanges, ETFs, Payments; NFT Initiatives Continue; Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Adjusts; Global Enforcement Actions Continue

By Keith R. Murphy, Lauren Bass, Veronica Reynolds, Teresa Goody Guillén and Jordan R. Silversmith on July 16, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Cybersecurity, NFT

In this issue: • Cryptocurrency Exchanges, ETFs and Payment Initiatives Announced • Hollywood, Paradise and Banking: NFT Use Cases Continue to Expand • Bitcoin Network Mining Difficulty Adjusts in Wake of China Crackdown • DOJ, CFTC and SEC Target Crypto Fraud, Registration, Anti-Touting Violations • US Ransomware Task Force Announced, Crypto Crimes Continue Across Globe … Continue Reading

USDC Expands to New Blockchains, NFT Sales Continue, FATF Publishes Review of Crypto Standards, US and Global Crypto Enforcement Actions Continue

By Jordan R. Silversmith, Keith R. Murphy, Robert A. Musiala, Kayley Sullivan and Joanna F. Wasick on July 9, 2021 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, NFT

In this issue: • USDC Expands to 10 New Blockchains, Crypto Payment Initiatives Launch • NFT Sales Continue Across Sports and Art Markets • FATF Issues Review of Crypto Standards Amid Regulatory News in US and UK • Major Crypto Exchange Faces Global Scrutiny, Announces Compliance Efforts • DOJ Targets Unlicensed Crypto MSBs, Global Enforcement … Continue Reading