CFTC Chair Insists Ether Is a Commodity, Not a Security as Claimed by SEC Chairman

The chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has insisted that ether is a commodity, not a security as claimed by the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The CFTC chief stressed that the derivatives watchdog would not have allowed ether futures products to be listed on CFTC-regulated exchanges “if we did … Read more

India Brings Crypto Transactions Under Prevention of Money Laundering Act

India’s finance ministry has announced that crypto transactions will be covered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). Noting that the move “is a positive step in recognizing the sector,” a crypto insider explained that it will strengthen the industry’s efforts to prevent virtual digital assets “from being misused by bad actors.” India … Read more

Signature Bank Considered a Buy as Last Major Bank Standing in Crypto Market Amid Silvergate and SVB Troubles

Amid the demise of Silvergate Bank and the troubles faced by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), market analysts believe Signature Bank (SBNY) may be a buy as it’s considered the “last game in crypto-town,” according to Wells Fargo equity analyst Jared Shaw. Silvergate’s liquidation caused SBNY shares to sink on Friday, dropping more than 13% as … Read more

Founders of Multimillion-Dollar Global Crypto Ponzi Scheme ‘Airbit Club’ Plead Guilty

The founders and promoters of multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme Airbit Club have pleaded guilty to various criminal charges. Airbit Club victims were promised “guaranteed daily returns on any membership purchased,” the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) detailed. Airbit Club’s Operators and Promoters Plead Guilty The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that six people … Read more

Fed Chair Powell Provides Update on US Central Bank Digital Currency

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has provided an update on the Fed’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) work in a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee. While stating that the Fed is “making progress on technological issues,” Powell stressed that “policy issues are equally important.” Fed Chair Powell on CBDC Progress During a hearing … Read more

New York Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Kucoin and Declares Ethereum a Security

On March 9, 2023, New York attorney general Letitia James announced that her office had once again cracked down on crypto platforms by filing a lawsuit against the Seychelles-based crypto exchange Kucoin. Members of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) were able to purchase crypto assets, despite the exchange not being registered in the … Read more

Report: Hong Kong Residents Lost More Than $216 Million to Crypto Scams in 2022

According to Hong Kong police, in 2022 there were 2,336 reported crypto scam-related cases in which more than $216.6 million was lost. Although losses relating to crypto scams only constituted just over 10% of the nearly 23,000 reported technology crimes, they still accounted for more than half of the $407.7 million that was lost to … Read more