Darknet Update: Hydra Reigns, Monero Acceptance Climbs, Russian State Collusion Questioned

At the end of 2020, darknet markets (DNM) set new records as marketplaces like White House and the Russian-language DNM Hydra led the pack. A report published on May 25, shows Hydra saw a 624% year-over-year growth rate in three years, and researchers estimate roughly 75% of illicit DNM transactions stem from the Russian marketplace. … Read more

Financial Watchdog FinCEN Recruits First-Ever Chief Digital Currency Advisor

Following the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) explaining the misuse of cryptocurrencies is a national priority last week, the bureau announced on Tuesday it hired its first-ever chief digital currency advisor. FinCEN’s acting director Michael Mosier detailed that Michele Korver will be the bureau’s new crypto expert and she brings “a wealth of digital currency … Read more

Indians Hold $40 Billion in Cryptocurrency, Report Suggests

Crypto investments in India have been gaining significant traction over the past year, blockchain data indicates. Despite the ambiguous regulatory situation in the country, more than 15 million Indians have bought or sold digital currencies. Indian Crypto Investments Increase Amid Regulatory Uncertainty A growing number of Indians have put money into cryptocurrencies in the past … Read more

Blockchain Surveillance Firm Chainalysis Raises $100 Million, Company’s Valuation Now $4.2 Billion

The blockchain intelligence and surveillance firm Chainalysis announced the company has raised $100 million in Series E funding from investors such as Coatue, Benchmark, Accel, Addition, Dragoneer, Sequoia Heritage, and SVB Capital. The financing brings the company’s valuation to $4.2 billion and it aims to expand its resources and deepen data to cover more cryptocurrencies … Read more

Co-Owner of Mirror Trading International Opposes Plans to Liquidate the Bitcoin Scam Outfit

In the latest twist to the Mirror Trading International liquidation saga, Clynton Marks, a co-owner of the bitcoin Ponzi outfit, has opposed attempts to have a court grant a final liquidation order. Marks, who reportedly owned 50% of MTI, argues that the liquidation application was “premature” and that liquidators may “not have the members’ best … Read more

Bitcoin Remittances to El Salvador Surge 300% Ahead of BTC Becoming Legal Tender

Bitcoin remittances to El Salvador jumped more than fourfold in May from the previous year, according to data from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. Last week, El Salvador passed a bill making bitcoin legal tender in the country alongside the U.S. dollar. The monthly bitcoin transfers of under $1,000 to El Salvador totaled $1.7 million in … Read more

Alleged Bitcoin Fog Operator Arrested for Money Laundering, Admin Accused of Mixing 1.2 Million BTC

U.S. law enforcement arrested the alleged operator of Bitcoin Fog, Roman Sterlingov in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Documents show Sterlingov is accused of laundering over 1.2 million bitcoin via the Bitcoin Fog mixer, a tool that allows users to mix transactions together. According to federal investigators, Sterlingov ran the operation for ten years and processed … Read more