Lens
Bitcoin News
Iran has made the country’s first cryptocurrency payment with a US$10 million import order this week, which could be an option for the country to bypass broad trade embargoes, according to a media report. See related article: Crypto exchange Kraken reportedly under investigation for Iran sanctions breach Fast facts See related article: Is cryptocurrency a […]
Ningwei Qin
Regulation
Crypto hacks facilitated by North Korea help fund its weapons of mass destruction, U.S. Treasury Department’s Brian E. Nelson said on his recent visit to South Korea. See related article: North Korea behind Ronin hack: US Fast facts Nelson met with representatives of South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) and Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU) on […]
Danny Park
Regulation
Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, denied sharing client data with Russian authorities, following a Reuters investigation into the exchange’s ties with the country.
Timmy Shen
Blockchain Security
The Lazarus Group, the North Korean hacking group linked to the US$600 million Axie Infinity hack in March, is still laundering funds stolen from the hack despite sanctions imposed by the U.S. See related article: Axie Infinity blockchain Ronin hacked for over $600M Fast facts Despite U.S. sanctions, North Korean hackers have been freely laundering […]
Monika Ghosh
Regulation
The U.S. sanctioned Russian cryptocurrency miner Bitriver and its 10 subsidiaries on Wednesday, in an attempt to further isolate Russia from the global economy for invading Ukraine. See related article: Russia proposes Bitcoin payments for oil and energy exports Fast facts “Russia has a comparative advantage in crypto mining due to energy resources and a […]
Timmy Shen
Regulation
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned what it called “the world’s largest and most prominent darknet market” based in Russia and a cryptocurrency exchange associated with ransomware activities. See related article: Russian-linked strains lead crypto ransomware in 2021: Chainalysis Fast facts The Treasury Department Tuesday sanctioned Hydra Market, alleging it offered a marketplace for […]
Timmy Shen
Market Analysis
Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE has successfully registered a number of metaverse-related English trademarks. See related article: ‘Metaverse’ enters government radar at China’s Two Sessions Fast facts ZTE’s trademarks fall under the scientific equipment and communication services categories, setting the stage for the firm to provide related services in the metaverse. The partially state-owned Chinese […]
Timmy Shen
Bitcoin News
Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, two divergent narratives about crypto are being told, writes Alex Tapscott. Which version is correct?
Alex Tapscott
Regulation
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed financial measures targeting designated Russian banks, entities and activities in Russia, and fundraising activities benefiting the Russian government, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. See related article: Singapore prohibits crypto, NFT transactions in sanctions against Russia Fast facts An MAS notice named the designated banks as […]
Pradipta Mukherjee
Regulation
War-mongering Russia is finding itself increasingly isolated. Can cryptocurrency help the rogue state soften the blow of sanctions?
Gavin Berry
