Blockchain
US Treasury Deputy Secretary Urges Congress for Tools to Tackle Crypto-Related Illicit Finance
US Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo has urged Congress to provide regulatory tools to combat illicit finance related to cryptocurrencies.
In a hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Adeyemo expressed concerns that terrorist groups, as well as state actors like Russia and North Korea, are increasingly using virtual currencies and digital assets to hide their identities and move resources.
While acknowledging some success in detecting illicit finance activities, Adeyemo emphasized the need to expand enforcement efforts to prevent such actions by “malign actors.”
“While we continue to assess that terrorists prefer to use traditional financial products and services, we fear that without congressional action to provide us with the necessary tools, the use of virtual assets by these actors will only grow,” he said.
Adeyemo Asks for Crypto Regulations
Adeyemo highlighted the expanding use of virtual assets by these groups and warned that without congressional action, their adoption would continue to grow.
He cited examples such as North Korea using complex cyber heists to acquire and launder illicit revenue, and Russia resorting to alternative payment mechanisms like the stablecoin tether to evade sanctions and finance its conflicts.
To address these challenges, Adeyemo called on Congress to pass legislation that strengthens tools to target foreign digital asset providers facilitating illicit finance, including the imposition of secondary sanctions.
Furthermore, Adeyemo stressed the importance of closing regulatory gaps and extending authorities to cover entities like virtual asset wallet providers and cryptocurrency exchanges that emerged after current laws were enacted.
He also emphasized the need to address jurisdictional risks posed by offshore cryptocurrency platforms to safeguard US national security.
Coinbase Global and Circle Internet Financial, prominent cryptocurrency firms, also called upon Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mitch McConnell to enact regulations for stablecoins and improve the overall digital asset market structure.
They highlighted the risks of regulatory arbitrage due to the lack of regulatory clarity and urged the extension of anti-money laundering and sanctions regulations to cover foreign stablecoin issuers referencing the US dollar.
Adeyemo confirmed that the Treasury had previously recommended reforms to the committee and expressed the department’s willingness to work alongside lawmakers to address these issues.
UN Highlights Tether Role in Illicit Financing
A recent United Nations report highlighted Tron’s popularity among cyber fraud and money laundering activities in Southeast Asia.
According to the report, authorities have observed a rapid growth in sophisticated, high-speed money laundering teams that specialize in utilizing Tether for underground transactions.
It pointed out that online gambling platforms, particularly those operating illegally, have become popular avenues for cryptocurrency-based money launderers, with USDT being a favored choice.
Tether has refuted these claims, emphasizing its collaboration with law enforcement and the traceability of its token.
In response to the UN report, Tether said that its collaboration with global law enforcement, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United States Secret Service (USSS), has resulted in unparalleled monitoring capabilities, surpassing traditional banking systems.
Source: cryptonews.com
The post US Treasury Deputy Secretary Urges Congress for Tools to Tackle Crypto-Related Illicit Finance appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Blockchain
WadzPay Plans to Expand Portfolio into Stablecoin Business
WadzPay, a leading fintech company specialising in blockchain based technology for virtual asset payment solutions, is proud to announce its plan to enter the Stablecoin business, marking a significant expansion of its offerings. With a steadfast commitment to innovation and addressing evolving market demands, the company has strategically positioned itself to capitalise on the growing opportunities within the virtual asset financial services space.
Blockchain
RevoluGROUP Announces CEO and Director Stepping Down
Blockchain
ZettaBlock announces the addition of blockchain data
ZettaBlock, a leading provider of blockchain solutions, has recently announced a significant enhancement to its offerings with the addition of blockchain data services. This development marks a strategic move aimed at bolstering ZettaBlock’s capabilities and further solidifying its position in the blockchain industry.
By integrating blockchain data services into its portfolio, ZettaBlock seeks to address the growing demand for comprehensive and reliable data solutions within the blockchain ecosystem. The new offering will enable clients to access a wealth of blockchain data, empowering them to make informed decisions and derive valuable insights from the vast amount of information available on various blockchain networks.
ZettaBlock’s decision to expand its services comes at a time when the importance of blockchain data analytics is increasingly recognized across industries. With blockchain technology continuing to gain traction and adoption worldwide, the ability to effectively harness and analyze blockchain data has become crucial for businesses and organizations seeking to unlock new opportunities and drive innovation.
Through its blockchain data services, ZettaBlock aims to cater to the diverse needs of its clients, providing them with access to real-time and historical data from a wide range of blockchain networks. This includes transaction data, smart contract metrics, network activity, and more, allowing users to gain deeper insights into blockchain transactions and activities.
The addition of blockchain data services represents a significant milestone for ZettaBlock, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of the blockchain industry. As businesses increasingly recognize the value of blockchain data in driving decision-making and enhancing operations, ZettaBlock’s comprehensive data services are poised to play a key role in shaping the future of blockchain analytics.
Source: cryptonewsz.com
The post ZettaBlock announces the addition of blockchain data appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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