Category Archives: Cryptocurrency
Treasurer unveils cryptocurrency reforms to protect Australians who own digital assets – The Guardian
Cryptocurrencies
Platforms that hold over $1,500 of an individuals assets or $5m in aggregate will be subject to existing Australian financial services laws
Australian Associated Press
Sun 15 Oct 2023 20.09 EDT
Australias crypto crackdown is starting to take shape with the government revealing the next steps in its bid to regulate the digital currency.
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, unveiled his proposal to make crypto exchanges and digital asset platforms subject to existing Australian financial services laws.
The government is also proposing to make platform operators obtain an Australian financial services licence.
Platforms that hold over $1,500 of an individuals assets or $5m in aggregate will be covered by the changes.
Minimum standards for digital assets such as tokens are also being reviewed.
About a quarter of Australians own some sort of crypto.
Online platforms hold billions of dollars in assets and expose Australians to significant risks, the proposal paper says.
Collapses of digital asset platforms, both locally and globally, have seen Australians lose their assets or be forced to wait their turn amongst long lines of creditors, it says.
These reforms seek to reduce the risk of these collapses happening, by lifting the standard of their operations and increasing their oversight.
Chalmers said the government was moving decisively and methodically to ensure that consumers are adequately protected and innovation can flourish.
Feedback on the proposal paper closes 1 December and consultation for draft legislation will continue next year.
Separately, Brad Jones, an assistant governor of the Reserve Bank has outlined the central banks evolving views of a tokenised future including digital currencies for Australia.
Jones said the RBA remains open-minded as to the functional forms of digital money and supporting infrastructure that could best support the Australian economy in the future.
The bank, though, is only at the early stages of planning for a new project to assess how tokenised asset markets might trade in Australia. The RBA and Treasury will also publish a stocktake on their research into a central bank digital currency by around the middle of 2024 and then set out a roadmap for future work.
Jones said there is potentially billions of dollars a year in savings in terms of the instant information and accountability of at least some forms of digital currency.
He said cited the example of pricing in the $750bn market for bank term deposits or about 15% of Australian bank funding was still largely conducted over the phone, in branches, by email, and on spreadsheets, much like 25 years ago.
Is this the best we can do? Jones asked.
However, challenges include ongoing regulatory uncertainty and compliance obligations. [If] a smart contract on a programmable ledger goes awry, cross-border and anti-money laundering responsibilities do not disappear, but who is accountable? Jones said.
[W]e should be wide-eyed to these challenges, he said. Its very possible they can be overcome, but more work by policymakers and industry is needed.
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Treasurer unveils cryptocurrency reforms to protect Australians who own digital assets - The Guardian
Cryptocurrency Forecasts for Dogecoin, Pepe Coin and Scorpion … – Analytics Insight
Making predictions regarding the cryptocurrency market can be tricky. However, there is enough information and history out there that can help us pinpoint patterns that lead to educated forecasts. Often when people are Googling cryptocurrency and all things crypto related, they will search for terms such as Dogecoin price prediction, Pepe Coin price prediction and cryptocurrency forecasts. These forecasts help potential investors make decisions about when is best to buy in.
So keep reading and this article will provide you forecasts for Dogecoin, Pepe Coin and Scorpion Casino Token.
The DOGE price attempted a big breakout from a year-long, downward-sloping trend line that has guided its correction amid a recent spike in the broader crypto market. The failure to hold levels above this breached barrier, however, resulted in a price reversal, showing that overhead supply pressure remains high, as does the current decline.
Its unlikely that investors of Dogecoin will see a significant increase in their profits. Last time, Dogecoins meteoric rise in value was largely driven by social media hype and celebrity endorsements, which are not sustainable factors for long-term growth. Furthermore, the initial excitement surrounding Dogecoin has subsided, making it less attractive to new investors.
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In May, PEPE surged to an all-time high of $0.00000435 with a $1.44 billion market cap. However, it has since declined by 85% due to security breaches, reduced speculation, and a demand for projects with real-world use. Once a popular meme coin, PEPEs relevance has waned due to its perceived lack of utility, and its future remains uncertain.
Dogecoin and Pepe coin have certainly witnessed some huge success in their past, however, it is unlikely that new investors will see the same surge in growth as it once did. This is why this article believes that Scorpion Casino Token has the greatest potential, and not only in a profitable sense but also in terms of longevity. The roadmap is clear and the incentives are extremely appealing.
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Cryptocurrency Forecasts for Dogecoin, Pepe Coin and Scorpion ... - Analytics Insight
r/CryptoCurrency Moderators Accused of MOON Insider Trading – Crypto Times
The popular crypto subreddit, r/CryptoCurrenys moderators are accused of selling MOON tokens on insider information.
A crypto analyst, Pledditor shared the post revealing that r/CryptoCurrency moderators sold their MOON tokens before the public announcement of Reddit winding down community points on October 17.
.@Reddit admins told /r/CryptoCurrency moderators beforehand, and 3 moderators sold $MOON tokens on insider information$MOON price dropped -22% minutes before the announcement was posted
Here is a list of Reddit moderators acting on inside information BEFORE the announcement: pic.twitter.com/xAh75hOVEa
Pledditor claims that MOON price dropped nearly 22% minutes before the official public announcement.
The post stated that three moderators u/Mcgillby, u/rider_of_the_storm and u/IHaventEvenGotADog combined sold their MOON holding on insider information in different transactions. It also shares that some of the moderator selling took place immediately after the announcement.
Pledditor also stated proof that moderators were informed about Reddits decision an hour before.
According to Coinmarketcap data, MOON is currently down more than 80% compared to its pre-announcement price.
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r/CryptoCurrency Moderators Accused of MOON Insider Trading - Crypto Times
Father-son con 1,400 investors with non-existent cryptocurrency in Bengaluru – Deccan Herald
Father-son con 1,400 investors with non-existent cryptocurrency in BengaluruThe two, in partnership with another person, operated GG Online Private Ltd on Sampige Road, Malleswaram.
Last Updated 22 October 2023, 02:53 IST
A representative image for fraud.
Bengaluru: A father-son duo allegedly duped approximately 1,400 people out of Rs 6 crore by luring them to invest in a non-existent cryptocurrency, according to the police.
The two, in partnership with another person, operated GG Online Private Ltd on Sampige Road, Malleswaram. They targeted potential investors, promoting a new-age cryptocurrency named GGO, named after their company. They also advertised this product on social media.
They assured potential investors that GGO would soon be available on cryptocurrency exchanges and could rival the value of Bitcoin, promising lucrative returns to those who got in early.
Central Crime Branch (CCB) investigations indicate that the firm amassed between Rs 5-6 crore from about 1,200-1,400 individuals. However, the catch was that the cryptocurrency GGO did not exist.
In a bid to gain trust, the trio offered an additional 15% return on the initial investments to early investors, resulting in positive word-of-mouth that attracted even more investors.
The police suspect that after accumulating a significant amount, the suspects ceased payments to investors. Many did not even receive their initial investments back.
It was eventually unveiled that GGO was either non-existent or worthless if it did exist. The CCB asserts it was a scheme that preyed on unsuspecting investors.
Acting on complaints, CCB officials apprehended the suspects identified as Satish, his son Srikanth, and associate Deepak.
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Father-son con 1,400 investors with non-existent cryptocurrency in Bengaluru - Deccan Herald
Crypto Aid Israel: The Power of Cryptocurrency in Humanitarian Efforts – FinanceFeeds
In times of crisis, swift and coordinated humanitarian relief can make all the difference. The crypto community, known for its innovation and rapid adaptation, has proven its potential to create change in adversity.
Crypto Aid Israel, a coalition of influential figures in the cryptocurrency space, has achieved remarkable progress in its mission to support Israelis impacted by the current wave of Hamas terrorism. In a demonstration of the strength and unity of the Web3 and crypto community, the initiative has managed to raise a staggering sum of over USD 185,000 (around 700,000 NIS).
The response has been unrestricted to individual donors. Over 30 distinguished companies have pledged their support. Among these is the renowned accounting firm KPMG, which has graciously offered to assist in fundraising and distributing aid. Other prominent contributors include Zengo, a crypto wallet provider; Fuse, Wonderland, Psagot Equity, and many others.
Crypto Aid Israel has completed two rounds of aid distribution, channeling 200,000 NIS to various organizations spearheading the relief efforts.
Foundation for Advancing Citizens of Eshkol Regional Council: This organization has been instrumental in supporting the well-being of southern Israeli communities, particularly during times of conflict. Funds were allocated to cater to the transportation and shelter needs of those living near Gaza whom the Israeli government doesnt officially recognize. This financial support has been pivotal in allowing affected individuals to find safety and refuge.
Zaka: Renowned for its volunteer-based services in search, rescue, and emergency medical response, Zaka has received funding to secure essential medical equipment and ceramic vests. This gear is crucial for their volunteers who operate in high-risk zones.
Lev Echad by Or Hanegev veHagalil: Committed to uplifting at-risk youth and championing social inclusion, this NGO has used the funds to provide vital supplies such as food, hygiene products, and clothing. This support is mainly directed towards those who remain near Gaza, assisting local municipalities and Kibbutzim.
A vanguard in the fight against poverty in Israel has initiated a large-scale operation in the south. The procedure focuses on delivering food and hygiene kits to those desperately in needresidents who have stayed, those whove been relocated, needy families, elderly citizens, Holocaust survivors, or reservists operating on-site. Eyal Gura, a board advisor, highlighted the importance of the crypto channel, emphasizing its speed and innovative appeal. He commended Latets immediate response, given the magnitude of the disaster, and confirmed the organizations commitment to continue providing aid for as long as necessary.
However, the journey has been challenging. Crypto Aid Israel recently fell victim to severe phishing attacks, as a Ynet News report highlighted. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining alertness, especially in these trying times. In another development, a brief disruption affected their website service, swiftly addressed by their hosting provider, reaffirming the initiatives dedication to transparency and legitimacy.
Tim Freed, a prominent figure within Crypto Aid Israel, expressed his gratitude, We are deeply humbled by the outpouring of support from the global crypto community. Together, we have made significant strides in our mission to assist those affected by the recent wave of Hamas terrorism. The completion of two rounds of aid distribution shows how crypto can be used as a force of good in the world. Our commitment to transparency and legitimacy remains unwavering, and we are determined to continue our efforts in providing aid and relief to those in need.
CryptoAidIsrael offers its heartfelt thanks to the global crypto community for its relentless support.
Led by luminaries within the Israeli Web3 community, Crypto Aid Israel stands as an emergency humanitarian beacon. Organizations such as 42Studio, MarketAcross, Collider Ventures, CryptoJungle, Nilos, BlockchainB7, Efficient Frontier, Ironblocks, Israel Blockchain Association, Bits Of Gold, and KPMG have come together in this global fundraising campaign. Their unified goal is to offer unwavering support to Israeli citizens and families requiring humanitarian aid.
For those interested in lending a hand, visit and donate at Crypto Aid Israel.
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Crypto Aid Israel: The Power of Cryptocurrency in Humanitarian Efforts - FinanceFeeds
Online dating apps are colliding with cryptocurrency and human … – KCRW
Oct. 17, 2023
The most brutal thing about these scams is it preys on your vulnerability. By necessity, when you're in the dating pool, you have to open yourself up to meeting new people and experiencing new things. And that's part of how these kinds of scams work, says Joel Khalili, crypto and tech reporter for Wired. Photo by Shutterstock.
A recent online dating scam called pig-butchering is tricking people into giving away big bucks via cryptocurrency.
President Biden heads to the Middle East on Wednesday. Hell have to walk a fine line of supporting Israel, while advocating for humanitarian needs in Gaza.
Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel has been compared to 9/11. Is Israel risking a similar outcome with plans to march into Gaza to destroy the terrorist group?
In the 1980s, RJ Reynolds and Phillip Morris bought Kraft and Nabisco, pumping their food with sugar, fat, sodium, and other additives that made people crave them.
What comedy shows to watch this season? Consider Our Flag Means Death, Gen V, Shrinking, and Bobs Burgers, says one critic.
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Online dating apps are colliding with cryptocurrency and human ... - KCRW
Cryptocurrency stolen from Delhi lands in Hamas wallets – IndiaTimes
NEW DELHI: In the winter of 2021, Delhi Police's Special Cell was investigating a case of cryptocurrency theft of around Rs 4 crore from the wallet of a west Delhi businessman. Though the cops managed to 'deep trace' a few recipient wallet IDs, tracking the end users appeared difficult. Just at the time, Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, communicated - as part of routine intelligence exchange with their Indian counterparts - information about some suspect wallets operated by terrorist groups for terror funding.Many of the wallet addresses on the list were being operated by the al Qassam brigades of Hamas, the Palestinian terror group, and had been 'seized' by Israel's National Bureau for counter terror financing.Also See: Israel Palestine War LiveA breakthrough arrived when the Special Cell's Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Ops (IFSO) unit ran a match on the wallets: several wallets that had received the Bitcoin and Ethereum assets from Delhi were operated by the cyber terrorism wing of Hamas.While Israel has hit back strongly at Hamas for Saturday's attack, sources said the intelligence agencies have their antennae up about renewed efforts by the terror outfit to collect funds by hacking in pro-Israel countries.Even on Tuesday, the cyber unit of Israel Police froze a large number of cryptocurrency accounts held by Hamas for fundraising. Israel Police said on X (formerly Twitter) that Hamas had launched a crypto fundraising campaign after the start of the latest terror attacks. Israeli authorities also urged crypto exchange Binance to transfer the seized funds to that country's state treasury.The case in Delhi was the first instance of Hamas' activity in India. Special Cell officers said that the probe details were communicated to the relevant authorities at the time. Former DCP (Special Cell) KPS Malhotra's team had investigated the case. "Yes, our investigation had led us to several wallets linked to the al Qassam brigades," Malhotra confirmed on Tuesday.
The matter, cops said, was first reported in 2019 at Paschim Vihar police station and the investigation was later transferred to the Special Cell on court orders, cops privy to the investigation recalled. After the Hamas link was unearthed, technical analysis revealed that one of the seized wallets belonged to Naseer Ibrahim Abdulla in Gaza and to Hamas operatives like Ahmed Marzooq in Giza and Ahmed QH Safi in Ramallah in Palestine. "The cryptocurrencies were routed through various private wallets and finally landed in these suspected wallets," a police officer revealed.
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Cryptocurrency stolen from Delhi lands in Hamas wallets - IndiaTimes
FTX thief cashes out millions during Bankman-Fried trial – BBC.com
13 minutes ago
Image source, Getty Images
Sam Bankman-Fried is accused of fraud and money laundering
A thief who stole more than $470m (383m) in cryptocurrency when FTX crashed is trying to cash it out while the exchange's founder is on trial.
After laying dormant for nine months, experts say $20m of the stolen stash is being laundered into traditional money every day.
New analysis shows how the mystery thief is trying to hide their tracks.
FTX was once one of the biggest exchange platforms in the world allowing crypto investors to buy, trade and store digital currencies. It went bankrupt on 11 November 2022, with billions of dollars of customer funds missing.
Mr Bankman-Fried is pleading not guilty to misusing customer funds and money laundering while bankruptcy lawyers are trying to locate the missing billions.
On the day FTX collapsed, hundreds of millions of dollars of cryptocurrency controlled by the exchange were stolen by an unidentified thief that is believed to still have control of the funds.
No one knows how the thief (or thieves) was able to get digital keys to FTX crypto wallets but it is thought it was either an insider or a hacker who was able to steal the information.
The criminal moved 9,500 Ethereum coins, then worth $15.5 million, from a wallet belonging to FTX, to a new wallet.
Over the next few hours, hundreds of other cryptoassets were taken from the company's wallets, in transactions eventually totalling $477 million.
According to researchers from Elliptic, a cryptocurrency investigation firm, the thief lost more than $100m in the weeks following the hack as some was frozen or lost in processing fees as they frantically moved the funds around to evade capture.
But by December around $70m was successfully sent to a cryptocurrency mixer - a criminal service used to launder Bitcoin making it difficult to trace.
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Are crypto-currencies the future of money?
Without using a mixing service to hide the illicit origins of their Bitcoin, criminals risk being caught or having their funds seized by cryptocurrency exchanges.
Cryptocurrency exchanges allow people to exchange coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum for traditional cash.
Although mixers make it difficult to trace Bitcoin, Elliptic was able to follow a small amount of the funds - $4m - that was sent to an exchange.
The rest of the stolen FTX stash - around $230m dollars - remained untouched until 30 September - the weekend before Mr Bankman-Fried's trial began.
Nearly every day since then chunks worth millions have been sent to a mixer for laundering and then presumably cashing out.
Elliptic have been able to trace $54m of Bitcoin being sent to the Sinbad mixer after which the trail has gone cold for now.
Experts say the activity is strange and goes against the norm for cryptocurrency hackers and thieves.
"Crypto launderers have been known to wait for years to move and cash-out assets once public attention has dissipated - but in this case they have begun to move just as the world's attention is once again directed towards FTX and the events of November 2022," said DR Tom Robinson Elliptic's Co-founder.
Another finding from tracing the funds points to a potential link to Russian cyber crime.
Some of the stolen Bitcoin successfully laundered last year has been traced to a wallet known to be used by Russian-linked criminal groups. Elliptic says this could point to the involvement of a broker or other intermediary with a link to Russia.
Panorama explores the breakneck rise and sensational fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, the maths genius who set out to transform the world of crypto but ended up being its biggest loser.
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FTX thief cashes out millions during Bankman-Fried trial - BBC.com
Israel-Palestine war: An Indian twist in the cryptocurrency funding trail of Hamas – Business Today
Hamas launched devastating attacks from Gaza into Israel over the weekend, marking one of the most severe escalations in the Israel-Palestinian conflict in recent years. The attack has left many wondering about the source of funding for the surprise operation. Cryptocurrency may be the potential answer to this question.
Crypto Funds Flow to Militant Groups
In the lead-up to the attacks, an investigation into Israeli government seizure orders and blockchain analytics reports has shed light on the flow of significant sums to three militant groups: Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and their Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. According to a report by WSJ, the digital currency wallets connected to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) received a staggering $93 million in cryptocurrency between August 2021 and June of this year. The report cites a comprehensive analysis conducted by renowned crypto researcher Elliptic.
Indian Crypto Heist Connection
Meanwhile, an Indian crypto heist investigation yielded startling findings. A complainant reported the fraudulent transfer of Bitcoins, Ethereum, and Bitcoin cash worth about Rs 30 lakhs from their cryptocurrency wallet. The case initially registered in PS-Paschim Vihar was later transferred to the Cyber Crime Unit, Special Cell, Delhi, upon the orders of the Honble Court.
During the investigation, a cryptocurrency trail led to unexpected revelations. The cryptocurrencies ultimately ended up in wallets associated with the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian organisation Hamas, and the wallets that had already been seized by Israel's National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing. One such seized wallet belonged to Mohammad Naseer Ibrahim Abdulla.
Other wallets, where a significant portion of the cryptocurrencies had been transferred, were found to be operated from Giza, Egypt. One such wallet belonged to Ahmed Marzooq, a resident of Giza, Egypt, while another wallet belonged to Ahmed Q H Safi, a resident of Ramallah, Palestine.
The cryptocurrencies were funnelled through various private wallets and eventually landed in wallets operated in Gaza, Egypt, and the military wings of the Palestinian organization Hamas. Notably, one of these wallets had already been seized and frozen by the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing in Israel. The investigation suggested that the bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies had been fraudulently transferred from the complainant's wallet.
Israel Takes Swift Action to Freeze Crypto Accounts
In response to suspicions that Hamas had initiated a fundraising campaign via social networks urging the public to deposit cryptocurrencies into their accounts with the outbreak of war, Israel took rapid action. The Israeli Police Cyber Unit and the Ministry of Defense located and froze these cryptocurrency accounts, with the cooperation of the Binance crypto exchange, aiming to redirect the funds to the state treasury.
The precise details regarding the number of frozen accounts and the value of seized cryptocurrencies remain undisclosed.
Hamas's Evolving Stance on Cryptocurrency Fundraising
Hamas had historically endorsed cryptocurrency as a fundraising method. However, in April, the group announced it would cease accepting fundraising via the cryptocurrency bitcoin, citing a rise in "hostile" activities against donors.
(With inputs from Arvind Ojha)
Also Read Fake 'nuclear bomb alerts' to taking down govt websites, the Israel-Hamas war goes digital
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Israel-Palestine war: An Indian twist in the cryptocurrency funding trail of Hamas - Business Today
As SBF sits in court, is cryptocurrency on trial too? – Marketplace
Were about a week into the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, also known as SBF. Hes the one-time cryptocurrency wunderkind, now fighting charges that he stole billions from customers of his now-defunct crypto exchange, FTX.
A lot of hopeful investors got burned by the collapse of SBFs empire last November. FTX is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Marketplaces Lily Jamali spoke with Vicky Huang, a crypto reporter at The Wall Street Journal, about how the trial is affecting perceptions of the industry.
The following is an edited transcript of their conversation.
Vicky Huang: People definitely lost faith in crypto companies after the collapse of FTX. It was considered one of the safest places to park your money, and Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, was the darling of the crypto industry. He was loved by Silicon Valley venture capital investors. So when FTX collapsed in November, that really hit the industry hard. Not only did customers lose faith in crypto companies, but also prices of major cryptocurrencies fell sharply and then became very stagnant. Even though this year, the price of bitcoin has rebounded a little bit.
Lily Jamali: This is what I find so fascinating: The price of bitcoin is actually higher now than it was when the FTX scandal happened.
Huang: Yes, I think that has something to do with what happened in 2023. One thing about bitcoin is that its sort of a symbol for people who dont like big government and dont want to conduct their financial transactions through a middleman like the bank. So, when the banking crisis that started with the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank happened in March, that kind of helped bitcoin from a narrative standpoint. A lot of these big bitcoins companies in the United States said, This is why you need to own bitcoin, because you cant trust the bank with your money. When it collapsed, it really scared a lot of depositors.
Jamali: Thats a great point. Its important to remember that cryptocurrency emerged from the great financial crisis 15 years ago and was a response to the fact that so many peoples faith in the traditional financial system was shaken.
Huang: Yeah, exactly. Thats exactly what a lot of these bitcoin supporters go back to again and again when they talk about the resilience of bitcoin throughout all these crises. And its true that a lot of crypto companies, especially crypto exchanges, have failed throughout the history of bitcoin, starting with Mt. Gox in 2014 to FTX in 2022. Bitcoin has indeed survived all of these large-scale scandals and frauds. I dont know what that says about bitcoin exactly, but it has survived.
Jamali: Were about a week into the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, and as we watch that play out, does it feel to you like crypto is on trial too?
Huang: It definitely feels like crypto is on trial, even though the crypto industry really wants to move on from this. Since the collapse of FTX, regulators have waged a sweeping crackdown on the crypto industry. They have sued the largest crypto exchange in the world, Binance, and they have sued the largest crypto exchange in the U.S., Coinbase. Government officials have also cut off some services such as banking services and other products that are really vital to the crypto industry.
Jamali: But theyve had mixed results, right? Regulators have not succeeded in all of the attempts that theyve made to crack down on crypto.
Huang: Yes, it appears that regulators have kind of struggled to regulate the crypto industry. One of the reasons is that many crypto companies think there needs to be new regulations and new laws to help regulate the industry, whereas a lot of regulators think that there are already existing securities laws that can regulate the industry. So, theres a lot of tension between regulators and the crypto industry in general. So far, there is no existing law that has been successfully applied to kind of regulate the industry.
Jamali: Where does Congress stand with this? The House is out of commission right now, but there seemed to have been some movement toward legislation before the speaker of the House was ousted.
Huang: Yes, there are two bills in Congress right now. One is the bill to regulate stable coins, which are crypto currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar. And another bill focused on market structure. From talking to a lot of people in the industry, I dont think the hope of a bill being enacted into law is very high right now, just because theres a lot of other things going on in the government, and we are in the midst of the SBF trial. So, while theres a lot of hope, the progress on that is not very fast right now.
Jamali: What are you hearing from people in the crypto industry now? How are they painting the SBF trial in your conversations with them?
Huang: A lot of people in the crypto industry are definitely watching the trial very closely. Because FTX was such a big part of the crypto industry, Sam Bankman-Fried was kind of omnipresent. He was everywhere, in every transaction and every deal. But now, I think for people who still believe in crypto and are working in the crypto industry, they dont want the public to lump FTX and SBF together with crypto. Even the current CEO of FTX, John Ray, whos this corporate turnaround expert in charge of FTXs bankruptcy proceedings, has said that this is just old-fashioned fraud, and it could happen in crypto or in any another industry. I think thats what a lot of people in crypto want the public to think of this as well, that this more has more to do with a bad actor committing fraud on his customers, rather than this is acrypto-unique situation.
Vicky Huangs colleagues at The Wall Street Journal are reporting from the court room in New York each day. The trial is expected to last around six weeks.
And as Huang mentioned, the crypto industrys response to this legal circus is pretty negative. The phrase bad apple comes up a lot when they describe SBF. One crypto analyst told Wired shes not the only one who thinks this is all just one very big distraction and calls the saga the galactic embarrassment of FTX.
SBFs parents are also under legal scrutiny. Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried are Stanford Law School professors and were highly respected in Silicon Valley. They both now face a civil lawsuit alleging they helped run their sons empire and were rewarded handsomely.
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As SBF sits in court, is cryptocurrency on trial too? - Marketplace