Coinbase Challenges CFTC Proposal, Advocates for Balanced Regulation of Event Contracts

Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal has raised concerns on social media regarding the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) proposed rule to ban certain event contracts. Coinbase has also formally responded to the proposal, urging the CFTC to reconsider its stance, which the company argues could stifle innovation in the prediction markets. Coinbase Urges CFTC … Read more

US Court Orders FTX and Alameda to Pay Fraud Victims $12.7 Billion in Historic CFTC Recovery

A U.S. district court has ordered FTX and Alameda Research to pay $12.7 billion to fraud victims due to their misuse of customer funds and fraudulent practices. Ian McGinley, Director of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Enforcement, emphasized that this multibillion-dollar recovery is the largest recovery in CFTC history. FTX and Alameda Ordered … Read more

US Lawmakers Push for CFTC Action Against Election Gambling Amid Polymarket’s Rise

A group of Democrat lawmakers, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, has penned a letter to Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Rostin Behnam, urging the agency to prohibit all forms of election-related gambling in the United States. This appeal is timely, as Polymarket, a blockchain-based platform for real-time prediction markets, has gained traction with … Read more

CFTC Warns of Follow-on Frauds Targeting Victims Multiple Times

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) warns about repeated fraud targeting victims multiple times, often by the same criminals. Common fraud types include relationship crypto frauds, also known as “pig butchering,” where scammers form online relationships, encourage investments in bogus crypto trading schemes, and then steal funds. Victims often face additional scams, such as fraud-recovery … Read more

Federal Agencies Join Forces to Fight Crypto Scams

Several federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), convened at a Fraud Disruption Conference to combat crypto scams, particularly the “pig butchering” fraud that siphons billions from Americans annually. The meeting brought together over 300 officials from 15 federal agencies to strategize against this pervasive … Read more

Crypto Exchange Bitmex Pleads Guilty to Violating Bank Secrecy Act, AML Failures

Crypto exchange Bitmex has pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) by failing to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering (AML) program, resulting in the company being a vehicle for large-scale money laundering. The DOJ announced this plea following previous legal actions and settlements. Bitmex says: “We have accepted the BSA charge, will seek … Read more

CFTC Chair Pushes for Federal Legislation to Regulate Bitcoin and Ether as Commodities

During his Senate testimony, the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) emphasized the necessity of federal legislation to regulate digital commodities such as bitcoin and ether. Citing market volatility and fraud, the chairman advocated for expanded regulatory powers to safeguard investors and maintain financial stability. He also referenced a recent court ruling that … Read more