Crypto Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Tax Evasion, Face up to 5 Years in Prison

The owners of a cryptocurrency firm that raised approximately $24 million from more than 13,000 investors have pleaded guilty to tax evasion. “These crypto-savvy defendants exploited an emerging technology, lying to their investors, pocketing the proceeds, and concealing the income from the IRS,” said acting U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham. Crypto Firm’s Founders Face up to … Read more

FBI Arrests Federal Employee Selling Restricted Data on Nuclear Submarines for Cryptocurrency

A U.S. government employee has been arrested on espionage-related charges after he attempted to sell restricted data on the design of nuclear-powered warships to a foreign government. The federal employee asked to be paid in monero cryptocurrency. “I am very aware of the risks of blockchain analysis of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and believe monero … Read more

US Launches National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team to Prosecute ‘Criminal Misuses of Cryptocurrency’

The U.S. has launched the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, an initiative of the Department of Justice (DOJ), to tackle and prosecute “criminal misuses of cryptocurrency, particularly crimes committed by virtual currency exchanges, mixing and tumbling services, and money laundering.” U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said, “The point is to protect consumers.” DOJ’s New Crypto … Read more

US Court Sentences Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund Founder to 7.5 Years in Prison

The founder of two cryptocurrency hedge funds in New York, Stefan Qin, has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison and three years of supervised release. He is also ordered to forfeit about $55 million. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said that he “engaged in a scheme to steal assets” from his hedge funds and … Read more

US Senator Requests Government Agencies Step Up Efforts to Prosecute Criminal Use of Cryptocurrencies

U.S. Senator Margaret Hassan has requested that government agencies take “additional targeted steps to prevent and prosecute the use of cryptocurrency for criminal purposes.” She expressed her concern over “the rise in the use of cryptocurrency for criminal purposes.” US Senator Requests Agencies Take Steps to Prevent and Prosecute Use of Crypto for Criminal Purposes … Read more

$30 Million Crypto Scheme’s Leader Pleads Guilty, Facing up to 20 Years in Prison

The leader of a cryptocurrency scheme that swindled over $30 million from investors has pleaded guilty to fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said. He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Leader of $30M Crypto Scheme Pleads Guilty to Fraud The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that Michael … Read more

US Government Has Seized Cryptocurrencies Worth $1.2 Billion So Far This Year

The U.S. government has seized cryptocurrencies worth $1.2 billion so far this year, according to an Internal Revenue Service director. This is a significant increase from $137 million in crypto seized the previous year. $1.2 Billion in Cryptocurrencies Seized Jarod Koopman, director of cybercrime at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), shared some information on cryptocurrencies … Read more

Promoter of Crypto Scheme Touted by Steven Seagal Pleads Guilty, Faces 5 Years in Prison

A promoter of the cryptocurrency scheme previously touted by famous martial artist and actor Steven Seagal has pleaded guilty for his participation. The scheme falsely claimed that it “could generate an 8,000% return for investors within one year.” Crypto Scheme Promoter Pleads Guilty The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that John DeMarr, 55, … Read more

US Marshals Service Hires Custodian for Seized Cryptocurrencies — Over 185K BTC Confiscated, Sold so Far

The U.S. Marshals Service, a primary law enforcement agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ), has hired a new custodian for its seized cryptocurrencies. The agency has seized and auctioned off over 185K bitcoins so far. The United States Marshals Service (USMS) has selected Anchorage Digital to provide custody for cryptocurrencies seized in criminal cases, … Read more

DOJ Tells FBI and Others: ‘Stop Signing Appreciation Notes for Binance’

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested federal agencies stop signing appreciation letters for Binance. The exchange used these letters as proof they are actively helping these agencies in criminal probes. However, this behavior seems to have bothered agents of these state organizations, who argue the exchange is bound to cooperate with these investigations … Read more