FBI Seizes Cryptocurrency Linked to North Korean Ransomware

A grand jury in Kansas City indicted North Korean national Rim Jong Hyok for his role in a conspiracy involving ransomware attacks on U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers. The group laundered cryptocurrency proceeds and used the funds for further cyber intrusions into global defense, technology, and government entities. The ransomware attacks disrupted patient care and … Read more

Georgia Man Sentenced to Prison for Cryptocurrency Computer Fraud

Steven Drawdy, 40, of Grovetown, Georgia, has been sentenced to 32 months in U.S. prison for wire fraud after defrauding over 40 customers in a cryptocurrency computer scheme. Drawdy, who participated in an online cryptocurrency discussion forum, received more than $1.1 million from victims between August 2021 and April 2022, promising to deliver cryptocurrency mining … Read more

Washington Regulator Warns of Miami Equity Fund 005 Crypto Fraud

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Securities Division, has warned about crypto investment fraud following a complaint from a resident regarding their investment in the Miami Foundation Equity Fund 005 (or Miami Equity Fund Institute 005). The investor had deposited funds on the now-inaccessible Vims.one platform through a Whatsapp group led by “Mark” … Read more

SBI and Franklin Templeton Collaborate to Create Digital Asset Management Firm

Japan’s SBI Holdings plans to create a new investment management company in collaboration with major U.S. asset manager Franklin Templeton by the end of the year. This joint venture will focus on managing digital assets. The new entity will be 51% owned by SBI Holdings and 49% by Franklin Templeton. This move aligns with the … Read more

Majority of Americans Believe US in Recession, Survey Shows

New research by Affirm reveals three in five Americans believe the U.S. is in a recession, though it’s not officially declared. A survey of 2,000 people shows inflation and rising living costs (68%) as the main reasons for this belief, followed by complaints from friends and family (50%), reduced spending by peers (36%), and difficulties … Read more

Ferrari Launching Crypto Payment System for European Market

Ferrari, the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, announced on Wednesday that it will introduce its cryptocurrency payment system to European dealers by the end of July 2024. This move follows the successful launch of crypto payments in the U.S. less than a year ago, aimed at better serving client needs. By the end of … Read more

EU to Send Ukraine 1.4 Billion Euros From Frozen Russian Assets

The European Union (EU) is set to provide Ukraine with 1.4 billion euros ($1.52 billion) in military aid, sourced from the interest on frozen Russian assets. This decision, announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell during a Council on Foreign Affairs meeting, will see the first transfer of funds … Read more

Marathon Digital Ordered to Pay $138M for Contract Breach

A federal court jury in Los Angeles has awarded Michael Ho $138 million after finding crypto mining firm Marathon Digital Holdings Inc. guilty of breaching a Non-Disclosure/Non-Circumvention Agreement. Ho had shared proprietary information about a large-scale energy supplier with Marathon, which had agreed not to bypass him. However, Marathon circumvented Ho and engaged directly with … Read more

Tokyo Stock Exchange-Listed Metaplanet Completes 1 Billion Yen Bitcoin Purchase

Metaplanet Inc. announced on July 22 the purchase of an additional 200 million yen worth of bitcoin, amounting to 20.381 BTC. This latest acquisition completes the company’s 1 billion yen ($6.4 million) bitcoin purchase plan, which was initially disclosed on June 24. With this final purchase, Metaplanet’s total bitcoin holdings now stand at 245.992 BTC. … Read more

South Korea’s FSC Nominee Says Past Crypto Chaos Calls for Strong Investor Protection

Kim Byoung-hwan, the nominee for head of South Korea’s top financial regulator, the Financial Services Commission (FSC), expressed caution about corporations holding bank accounts for cryptocurrency transactions. Speaking at a parliamentary session on Monday, Kim, a former vice finance minister, emphasized: “Taking into consideration the chaos we have experienced in the virtual asset market in … Read more