Everything web3, crypto, defi, degen
In brief Europol said misuse of crypto is “becoming increasingly sophisticated,” straining national police resources. Experts have called for global standards and unbiased blockchain training to strengthen cross-border investigations. A recent conference highlighted the need for cooperation between public and private sectors as crypto crime evolves. The head of Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime…
In brief California’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) fined Coinhub $675,000 for violating digital assets law. Of that total, $105,000 is due as restitution to consumers who were overcharged by the ATM operator. This marks the fourth enforcement action from the regulator as it cracks down on crypto ATM operators that it says…
In brief Thai police have arrested Chinese national Liang Ai-Bing on Wednesday over an alleged $14 million crypto scam tied to defunct platform FINTOCH. FINTOCH promised 1% daily returns, falsely claimed Morgan Stanley backing, and used an actor as a fake CEO before an exit scam in May 2023. On-chain analyst ZachXBT traced the rug…
In brief Two individuals lost a total of nearly $7,000 in a new scheme that claimed they owed money for missing jury duty. The victims were instructed to use Bitcoin ATMs or kiosks to transfer funds they believed were owed. Scams involving Bitcoin ATMs are increasing, jumping to nearly $247 million last year according to…
In brief Interpol and Afripol have arrested 83 individuals as part of an operation combating terrorism financing, while flagging $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat. The operation included participation from private partners such as Binance, which provided blockchain data and forensic tools. Crypto is increasingly featuring in cybercrime in Africa, according to Interpol, but…
Every bull market attracts a new wave of scammers, and their attempts at fraud take many forms. We cover 11 different scams and how to identify them in our Support Center. Lately, scammers have found a new angle: impersonating Kraken recruiters and support staff. Their goal? To steal your trust first and your assets second.…
In brief 60% of Australians still say they don’t trust crypto, up from 57% in 2024. Labor’s reform package spans exchange licensing, stablecoin oversight, and payments modernization. Swyftx projects millions of new investors once regulation is finalized. Crypto adoption in Australia has stalled, despite the incumbent Albanese government rolling out some of the most ambitious…
In brief Wallets tied to alleged scammer Chen Zhi have moved about $1.7 billion in Bitcoin recently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, per Arkham Intelligence. The 15,959 BTC transfers appear tied to Chen’s Prince Holding Group, which prosecutors say ran a global crypto fraud and forced-labor network. Chen remains on the run, as investigators question…
In brief U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) has urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to finalize its open banking rule, warning that banks have restricted access to industries they oppose, including digital assets. The rule, finalized on October 22, 2024, allows consumers to share financial data with third-party apps via APIs, critical infrastructure for connecting…
In brief Europol has taken down a cybercrime network that provided SIM cards to fraudsters in over 80 countries. Criminal activity facilitated by the network resulted in losses above $5 million in Austria, while authorities seized $330,000 in crypto from alleged network members. Europol’s action comes as crypto increasingly features in international crime, and as…
