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Former SEC advisor: SEC's lawsuit over rulemaking petition 'calls into question the legitimacy of this agency'
Web3/Crypto

J.W. Verret, a law professor and former advisor to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), stated that it is unprecedented for the SEC to file a lawsuit against a company that petitioned the SEC to use its rulemaking process. Verret shared his statement with Federal Newswire during a July 2 interview.


Law professor: Judge's dismissal of SEC claims against Binance is 'a big win for crypto'
Web3/Crypto

J.W. Verret, an associate professor of law at George Mason University, stated that a federal judge's dismissal of several U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claims against Binance is a positive development for the cryptocurrency industry. Verret shared his statement during an interview with Federal Newswire on July 2.


Financial Action Task Force updates jurisdiction lists for anti-money laundering efforts
Web3/Crypto

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has notified U.S. financial institutions about the recent statement issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental body setting international standards for anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and countering the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (AML/CFT/CPF). The FATF highlighted increasing financial connectivity between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the international financial system, reiterating concerns over DPRK's failure to...


Nigerian writer on ex-federal agent detained in Abuja: 'the U.S. now begins to look bad'
Web3/Crypto

Nigerian writer Cheta Nwanze stated that the ongoing imprisonment of former U.S. federal agent Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria could reflect poorly on the U.S. government. Nwanze shared his statement on a June 17 episode of the Nigerian Politics Weekly podcast.


Columbia Business professor: 'the largest barrier to American investors receiving this disclosure is the SEC itself'
Web3/Crypto

Austin Campbell, an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, stated that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is creating barriers for the American public to receive adequate disclosures from crypto companies. Campbell shared his statement in a June 25 post on X in response to a statement from SEC Chair Gary Gensler.


The Digital Chamber speaks out on regulation of filecoin by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Web3/Crypto

The Digital Chamber, in collaboration with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, recently released a joint whitepaper arguing that Filecoin (FIL) should not be regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The organization's announcement came in a June 21 blog post.


Blockchain Association responds to SEC's lawsuit against Consensys
Web3/Crypto

The following statement is attributed to Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith following the SEC’s lawsuit against Consensys:


Blockchain Association responds to IRS finalizing broker rule
Web3/Crypto

The Blockchain Association has issued a statement following the IRS's finalization of the broker rule. Marisa Coppel, Head of Legal at the Blockchain Association, commented on the decision:


FinCEN proposes new rule for modernizing AML/CFT programs
Web3/Crypto

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has announced a proposed rule aimed at strengthening and modernizing financial institutions' anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) programs. While these institutions have long maintained AML/CFT programs under existing regulations, the new rule seeks to amend those regulations to explicitly require that such programs be effective, risk-based, and reasonably designed. This approach aims to enable financial institutions to allocate their resources in line with...


FinCEN enacts measure against Iraq-based bank over terrorist financing concerns
Web3/Crypto

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued a final rule under section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act, severing Al-Huda Bank from the United States financial system. This measure prohibits domestic financial institutions and agencies from opening or maintaining a correspondent account for or on behalf of Al-Huda Bank, an Iraqi bank identified as a conduit for terrorist financing.


Rep. Hill: Former U.S. federal agent is 'wrongfully detained on charges related to money laundering' in Nigeria
Web3/Crypto

Congressman French Hill (R-AR) has expressed concern over the detention of Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. federal agent and current Binance employee, by the Nigerian government. Hill stated that Gambaryan is being "wrongfully detained" and that his health is deteriorating. Hill shared his statement in a June 20 post on X.


FinCEN issues new advisory on fentanyl precursor chemicals procurement
Web3/Crypto

Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen announced today that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued an advisory to alert U.S. financial institutions to new trends in the illicit fentanyl supply chain and urge vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activity associated with Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations and their illicit procurement of fentanyl precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment from People’s Republic of China-based suppliers.


McCormick on Binance exec and Georgia resident held in Nigeria: 'It's time for him to come home'
Web3/Crypto

As he fights for his life with malaria in a Nigerian prison, the U.S. has called for the humanitarian release of American citizen and former IRS agent Tigran Gambaryan. Yet that doesn’t go far enough for his home district congressman, Richard McCormick, and other lawmakers seeking direct U.S. intervention as in a priority hostage case.


Binance CEO on employee detained in Nigeria: 'Tigran shouldn’t be used as a tool for unnecessary charges'
Web3/Crypto

Binance CEO Richard Teng stated that Tigran Gambaryan, the company's head of financial crime compliance, is being used as a "tool" by the Nigerian government to charge Binance with crimes. Teng shared his statement in a June 17 episode of the Bankless podcast.


FinCEN urges vigilance against elder financial exploitation
Web3/Crypto

As the nation recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has reminded financial institutions to remain vigilant in identifying and reporting suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation (EFE). EFE-related losses affect personal savings, checking accounts, retirement savings, and investments, severely impacting victims’ well-being and financial security as they age. FinCEN has previously published resources to help stakeholders combat EFE.


Coinbase CEO: 'I don't think most people have realized how big the crypto voter block is'
Web3/Crypto

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced that nearly one million people have signed on in support of Stand With Crypto, a nonprofit advocating for clear regulations in the digital asset industry. Armstrong shared his statement in a June 5 post on X.


FinCEN Director visits Arizona for outreach on ownership reporting and fentanyl trafficking
Web3/Crypto

On June 11 and 12, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Director Andrea Gacki and senior FinCEN leaders traveled to Arizona for beneficial ownership reporting outreach events and a counter-fentanyl FinCEN Exchange.


Over 100 former federal agents, prosecutors urge Blinken to secure the release of U.S. citizen detained in Nigeria
Web3/Crypto

One hundred and eight former federal agents and prosecutors are urging the State Department to "step up its efforts" in securing the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a former federal agent who has been detained by the Nigerian government since February 26. The former agents and prosecutors shared their statement in a June 6 letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.


Senate attaches crypto sanctions bill to intelligence legislation
Web3/Crypto

A version of the Terrorist Finance Prevention Act (TFPA) has been attached to a must-pass intelligence authorization bill in the Senate. The TFPA requires the President to implement significant secondary sanctions against individuals in the crypto space involved with terrorist financing. These sanctions could apply to regulated financial institutions, such as custodial exchanges, and non-custodial entities referred to as "foreign digital asset transaction facilitators."


Coinbase: SEC wants to 'destroy' digital asset firms, not regulate them
Web3/Crypto

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase stated that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking to "destroy" digital asset firms rather than regulate them. The statement from Coinbase was made in a May 31 court filing.