Banning cryptocurrencies to counter crime is a nonsensical excuse
Cryptocurrencies represent far less of a market for criminals compared to traditional finance, so crypto bans won’t solve the problem. Numerous governments are attempting to ban cryptocurrencies, with recent examples from China, India, Turkey and Nigeria. The reason for doing so is simple: The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies poses a threat to the legacy financial system, and as the technology itself is still in its infancy, it seems to attract hackers. Even so, banning crypto will not dissuade hackers or scammers in the slightest.Hackers remain drawn to cryptocurrencyEver since....
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A report from The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) shows that bitcoin is not the preferred method for drug cartels and other criminal groups to launder money, they rather use banks. This opposes the widespread narrative that claims the digital coin creates the opportunity for crime. Said argument is often used to excuse the hostility […]
Abuse expands with use in the case of cryptocurrency, Europol has acknowledged while also noting that blockchain technologies offer authorities a new opportunity to fight crime. Europe’s law enforcement agency also says they can help investigate money laundering networks.
Understanding Cryptocurrencies Is Vital to Tackling Organized Crime, Europol Says
The growing use of cryptocurrency across borders and industries comes with increasing abuse, new forms of crime, and money laundering, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) has concluded after....
A study by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis finds that cryptocurrency-related crime has fallen significantly. The criminal share of all crypto activity fell to just 0.34% in 2020. This contradicts recent statements by U.S. Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen and ECB President Christine Lagarde that cryptocurrencies are mostly used for illicit financing. Crypto Crime Plummeted in 2020 Chainalysis shared some findings from its 2021 Crypto Crime Report this week. While acknowledging that “cryptocurrency remains appealing for criminals as well due primarily to its pseudonymous....
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has recommended closer monitoring of digital currency exchanges and gateways to counter money laundering and terrorism financing. FATF published its 'Guidance for a risk-based approach to virtual currencies' at a plenary meeting held this week in Brisbane. The 48-page document acknowledges that digital currencies carry several economic benefits such as decreased transaction costs, financial inclusion for those lacking access to banking services and the facilitation of microtransactions. However, they also carry risks of money laundering and terrorist....
It’s impossible to ban cryptocurrencies in Russia, the country’s minister of finance has stated in his first comments on his department’s latest disagreements with the Russian monetary authority. The two institutions are reportedly failing to reach consensus on crypto regulation but the treasury intends to submit draft legislation despite their differences. Disagreements on Future of Cryptocurrencies Persist Between Finance Ministry and Bank of Russia A meeting between the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov,....