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Can compliance keep pace with the convergence of cybercrime and cryptocurrencies?

BlockChainGuardian Staff

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An abstract image of transactions taking place online, used to illustrate a comment piece about the intersection of crypto and compliance.

The rise of digital assets has brought new investment and innovation opportunities, but has also introduced new challenges in the fight against financial crime. While it is important to note that most cryptocurrency companies operate legitimately and that most cryptocurrency transactions are legal, the relative anonymity of these assets has also attracted criminal elements.

In the UK, the National Crime Agency’s National Assessment Centre estimates that over £1 billion of illicit money is moved overseas through cryptocurrencies, with hundreds of millions being laundered. As cryptocurrencies gain popularity and become more mainstream, financial institutions continue to grapple with the complexities of developing effective anti-money laundering (AML) and risk management frameworks to prevent bad actors from exploiting their systems.

As the lines between traditional finance and the world of cryptocurrencies become increasingly blurred, criminals are discovering new ways to exploit digital payments. Pseudonymity in cryptocurrencies means that while transactions are recorded on a public ledger using technologies such as blockchain, the identities behind these transactions are represented by a string of characters rather than a real name. This can make it more difficult to trace the source of the funds and identify the people behind such activity.

Compliance departments have their work cut out for them monitoring complex and opaque transactions in the cryptosphere. (Photo by Shutterstock)

On-chain and off-chain

Blockchain technology offers a unique level of relative transparency, with every transaction recorded on an immutable ledger accessible to anyone. This on-chain data offers the opportunity to improve risk management, compliance and anti-money laundering efforts, as transactions can be tracked and analyzed more meticulously than with traditional fiat currencies.

However, off-chain data poses challenges for compliance teams. When digital assets are exchanged for fiat currencies outside of the blockchain, the path becomes less easily accessible, particularly when exchanges or platforms facilitate these conversions. It is worth noting that most cryptocurrency transactions are for legitimate purposes, such as investments, exchanges, and payments. Even so, the challenges posed by off-chain data and the pseudonymous nature of cryptocurrencies cannot be ignored.

As the cryptocurrency industry continues to grow, so does the sophistication of criminal activity. Criminal actors are exploiting the unique characteristics of cryptocurrencies in increasingly complex ways to carry out illegal activities, such as ransomware attacks and money mule schemes. In money mule schemes, individuals are recruited to act as intermediaries for money transfers, often unknowingly. Mules receive the funds in their cryptocurrency wallet and then transfer them to other wallets or convert them into fiat currency, which obscures the trail of illicit proceeds being laundered.

“Chain peeling,” which involves splitting a large amount of cryptocurrency into smaller transactions and spreading them across multiple wallets, is another avenue for money laundering. This technique is often used in conjunction with methods such as mixing services or private coinsmaking it more difficult to trace back to the original source.

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Criminals often seek out non-compliant or unlicensed exchanges that can be exploited with few obstacles when moving between fiat assets and cryptocurrencies. The semi-anonymous nature of most cryptocurrencies, combined with the lack of Know Your Customer (KYC) or Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements on these platforms, can enable criminal operations.

The risks of direct and indirect exposure

Financial institutions face risks arising from direct and indirect exposure to cryptocurrencies. Direct exposure involves direct involvement with an entity involved in illicit activities. For example, when a cryptocurrency exchange unknowingly facilitates the laundering of funds resulting from a ransomware attack. Indirect exposure, on the other hand, involves customers being involved in criminal activity elsewhere, even if the financial institution is not directly involved in the illicit activity itself. For example, if a bank provides a loan to an individual who uses the funds to purchase cryptocurrency who is later discovered to be linked to a sanctioned entity, the bank has indirect exposure to the associated risk through its customer’s actions.

The consequences for any organization involved in dealings with criminals or sanctioned entities can be severe. In 2023, The Moody grid The entity screening database reported a 114% increase in sanctions evasion events compared to 2022, which in turn recorded a 71.5% increase compared to the previous year. This increase illustrates how insufficient monitoring of transactions can lead to allowing people in high-risk jurisdictions and those subject to sanctions to engage in virtual currency transactions that put companies at risk of compliance violations and reputational damage.

The power of blockchain analytics

To effectively counter the threat of illicit use of cryptocurrencies, organizations need tools that provide essential visibility into the blockchain and enable the evaluation of crypto transactions and wallets at scale and in real-time. This is where blockchain analytics comes in.

Blockchain analytics involves analyzing, identifying, and grouping data on the blockchain to identify and help prevent illicit activities such as money laundering and fraud. By combining on-chain data with advanced analytics, organizations can identify the risk associated with a particular customer’s funding source or gain insights into the ultimate beneficiary.

Crypto portfolio screening offers real-time risk profiles, while transaction screening allows for the visualization and tracking of crypto fund flows. Cryptographic investigation software allows organizations to visualize the flow of funds and gather meaningful evidence, essential to defend against complex criminal schemes.

The road ahead

The convergence of cybercrime and cryptocurrency presents challenges for financial institutions, but with the right tools these challenges can be addressed. By harnessing the power of blockchain analytics, it is possible to build a more resilient and secure financial system, capable of harnessing the benefits of digital assets while reducing the risks posed by criminal actors.

As governments around the world establish agencies to step up inspections and enforcement of sanctions, organizations must establish or review their risk and compliance frameworks to understand risk exposure and prepare to mitigate it.

The road ahead requires a proactive and adaptive approach. As we navigate the complexities of the crypto nexus, one thing is clear: compliance must keep pace with innovation. Only by leveraging on-chain analytics with robust KYC/AML procedures can the promise of digital assets be realized while safeguarding the financial system.

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We are the editorial team of BlockChainGuardian, where seriousness meets clarity in cryptocurrency analysis. With a robust team of finance and blockchain technology experts, we are dedicated to meticulously exploring complex crypto markets with detailed assessments and an unbiased approach. Our mission is to democratize access to knowledge of emerging financial technologies, ensuring they are understandable and accessible to all. In every article on BlockChainGuardian, we strive to provide content that not only educates, but also empowers our readers, facilitating their integration into the financial digital age.

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Hollywood.ai by FAME King Sheeraz Hasan Promulgates a Complete Ecosystem that Unites Web3, Cryptography, AI and Entertainment for Spectacular Global Tech Innovation

BlockChainGuardian Staff

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Hollywood.ai by FAME King Sheeraz Hasan Promulgates a Complete Ecosystem that Unites Web3, Cryptography, AI and Entertainment for Spectacular Global Tech Innovation

The one and only FAME King Sheeraz Hasan is launching Hollywood.ai, a revolutionary platform designed to integrate the cutting-edge realms of Web3, cryptocurrency, AI, finance and entertainment. This revolutionary initiative is set to create a seamless, interactive and intuitive ecosystem where the world’s leading technology luminaries can collaborate on innovations, ultimately redefining the future of digital interaction.

Hollywood.ai represents the convergence of the most complex technologies of all time. Fusing Web3 principles, cryptocurrency utilities, AI advances, and financial machinery, Sheeraz’s platform aims to become the nucleus for innovation and modernization. It provides a high-tech environment where technology and creativity collide harmoniously, paving the way for new paths in the digital economy.

A defining feature of Hollywood.ai is the integration of cryptocurrency into the AI ​​ecosystem, transforming AI into a tokenized asset with full cryptographic utility. Sheeraz’s novel approach presents new avenues to leverage the myriad capabilities of AI in the financial realm, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for developers and users alike. Through the amalgamation of AI and cryptocurrency, Hollywood.ai is paving the way for an incredibly interconnected digital space unlike anything seen before.

The platform’s design emphasizes the undeniable symbiosis between various technology sectors. Under Sheeraz’s careful orchestration, Web3 technologies facilitate decentralized collaboration, while AI tools offer enhanced potential for data analytics, content creation, and audience engagement. Additionally, the inclusion of financial innovations ensures rapid mobility of both monetization and investments, providing a holistic environment that meets the ever-evolving demands of the technology and entertainment segments.

Sheeraz’s Hollywood.ai is poised to become the premier hub for industry leaders, developers, and creators to support and empower the next generation of digital experiences. This initiative aspires to drive the emergence of new tools, applications, and services that set new standards for advanced engagement and interaction.

Known for making the impossible possible, Sheeraz envisions a future where global audiences actively participate in designing the next A-list stars from scratch. Hollywood.ai will allow users to watch their creations evolve from simple concepts to 3D talents that can act, sing and perform just like human actors.

The Hollywood.ai platform leverages AI technology to deliver personalized fan engagement, real-time sentiment analysis, and informed content creation. By combining cutting-edge AI capabilities with Sheeraz’s deep understanding of celebrity branding, Hollywood.ai gains immense control over public figures.

Undeniably, FAME’s number one strategist Sheeraz Hasan continues to cement his reputation as a pioneer in the fields of FAME and technology. The power and influence of this latest development brings him closer to total world domination.

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Online Broker Futu Offers Cryptocurrency Trading in Hong Kong, With Nvidia and Alibaba Stock as Rewards

BlockChainGuardian Staff

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Online Broker Futu Offers Cryptocurrency Trading in Hong Kong, With Nvidia and Alibaba Stock as Rewards

Futu Securities International, Hong Kong’s largest online broker, has launched retail cryptocurrency trading in the city, offering shares of Alibaba Holding Group AND Nvidia as a reward in an attempt to attract investors. Futu has begun allowing Hong Kong residents to trade Bitcoin and ether, the world’s two largest cryptocurrencies, directly on the brokerage platform using Hong Kong or U.S. dollars, the company announced Thursday.

The online retail broker said last month that it had received an upgrade to its securities license from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), allowing Futu to offer virtual asset trading services to both professional and retail clients in the city.

Futu’s move comes as Hong Kong seeks to boost its attractiveness as a business hub for virtual assets, with the city government launching a series of new cryptocurrency policy initiatives over the past two years, including a mandatory licensing regime for cryptocurrency exchanges.

In addition to offering cryptocurrency trading on its flagship brokerage app, Futu is also seeking a cryptocurrency trading license for its new PantherTrade platform. That platform is among 11 in Hong Kong that are currently “deemed licensed” for cryptocurrency trading, an arrangement that allows them to operate in the city while they await full approval from the SFC.

Hong Kong’s progress in becoming a crypto hub has encountered various challenges, including exit of the major global platforms and relatively low trading activity for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds offered on local stock exchanges.

Futu is now offering a series of incentives to potential investors, amid a cryptocurrency bull market that has seen the price of bitcoin rise 45 percent this year.

Hong Kong investors who open accounts in August and deposit HK$10,000 (US$1,280) over the next 60 days can receive HK$600 worth of bitcoin, a HK$400 supermarket voucher or a single Chinese stock. e-commerce giant Alibaba. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

By holding 80,000 U.S. dollars for the same period, users can get 1,000 Hong Kong dollars in bitcoin or a share of U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) chip maker Nvidia, whose shares have risen more than 140 percent this year.

A Futu representative said the brokerage firm will also waive cryptocurrency trading fees starting Thursday until further notice.

Futu is the first online brokerage in Hong Kong to allow retail investors to buy cryptocurrency directly on its platform. SFC rules require it to offer this service through a tie-up with a licensed cryptocurrency exchange. Futu is partnering with HashKey Exchange, one of only two licensed exchanges in Hong Kong, according to the representative.

Futu’s local rival Tiger Brokers also said in May that it had begun offering cryptocurrency trading services to professional investors on its platform following a license update. The SFC defines professional investors as those with more than HK$8 million in their investment portfolios or corporate entities with assets exceeding HK$40 million.

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Tech Crash: $2.6 Trillion Market Cap Vanishes as ‘Magnificent 7’ Prices Stumble

BlockChainGuardian Staff

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Tech Crash: $2.6 Trillion Market Cap Vanishes as ‘Magnificent 7’ Prices Stumble

A group of seven megacap tech stocks, often called the Magnificent 7, have lost more than $2.6 trillion in value over the past 20 days, or an average of $125 billion per day over the period. In total, these stocks have lost “three times the value of the entire Brazilian stock market.”

This according to the economic news agency Letter from Kobeissiwho noted on the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Magnificent 7 batch “is worth as much as Nvidia’s entire current market cap in 20 days,” with Nvidia itself having lost $1 trillion from its high.

Source:Letter from Kobeissi on the X

The group, which includes Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta and Tesla, has undergone a significant correction: in the last 20 days Nvidia has lost 23% of its value, or about $800 billion, while Tesla has fallen 19%, losing $164 billion.

Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta all posted losses of between 9% and 15%, losing between $257 billion and $554 billion in market capitalization, wiping out a total of $200 billion more “than every single German stock market tock combined.”

Tech titans, which have outperformed the broader S&P 500 index since the market bottom of 2022, are now facing a reckoning as investors grow increasingly wary about the sustainability of their meteoric rise, with Nvidia taking the lead soaring 110% since the beginning of the year and over 2,300% in the last five years.

Earnings reports from these companies, starting with Microsoft and culminating with Nvidia in late August, will be closely watched for signs of weakness. Their performance could set the tone for broader market sentiment, with implications for everything from cryptocurrency to other high-risk assets.

Their poor performance comes after a leading macroeconomist, Henrik Zeberg, reiterated his forecast of an impending recession that will be preceded by a final wave in key sectors of the market, but which can potentially be the worst the market has seen since 1929the worst bear market in Wall Street history.

In particular, the Hindenburg Omen, a technical indicator designed to identify potential stock market crashes, began flashing just a month after its previous signal, raising concerns about a possible impending stock market downturn.

The indicator compares the percentage of stocks hitting new 52-week highs and lows to a specific threshold. When the number of stocks hitting both extremes exceeds a certain level, the indicator is said to be triggered, suggesting a greater risk of a crash.

Featured Image via Disinfect.

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Trump Fights for Cryptocurrency Vote at Bitcoin Conference

BlockChainGuardian Staff

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A large conference hall filled with enthusiastic attendees, Bitcoin logos prominently displayed, and a podium with an American flag

To the Bitcoin Conference 2024 In Nashville, Tennessee, former President Donald Trump delivered a keynote speech.

Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, used the platform to appeal to the tech community and solicit donations for the campaign. During the conference, He said:

I promise the Bitcoin community that the day I take the oath of office, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ anti-crypto crusade will be over… If we don’t embrace cryptocurrency and Bitcoin technology, China will, other countries will. They will dominate, and we can’t let China dominate. They are making too much progress as it is.

Trump’s speech focused heavily on cryptocurrency policy, positioning it as a partisan issue. He said that if reelected, he would fire SEC Chairman Gary Gensler on his first day in office, a statement that drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. This statement marked a stark contrast to Gensler’s tenure, which has been characterized by rigorous oversight of the cryptocurrency industry.

The former president outlined several pro-crypto initiatives he would undertake if elected. These include transforming the United States into a global cryptocurrency hub, keeping all government-held Bitcoin as a “national Bitcoin reserve,” establishing a presidential advisory council on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, and developing power plants to support cryptocurrency mining, emphasizing the use of fossil fuels.

Trump’s current embrace of cryptocurrencies represents a reversal from his stance in 2021, when described Bitcoin as a “scam against the dollar.” He also noted that his campaign has received $25 million in donations since accepting cryptocurrency payments two months ago.

The event featured other political figures, including Republican Senators Tim Scott and Tommy Tuberville, as well as Democratic Representatives Wiley Nickel and Ro Khanna. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also spoke at the conference.

Trump’s appearance at Bitcoin 2024 reflects growing support for his campaign from some tech leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and cryptocurrency entrepreneurs Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

While Trump has described the current administration as “anti-crypto,” Democratic Congressman Wiley Nickel said Vice President Kamala Harris is taking a “forward-thinking approach to digital assets and blockchain technology.”

This event underscores the growing political importance of cryptocurrency policy in the upcoming presidential election.

Kamala Harris and Democrats Respond on Cryptocurrencies

In a strategic move to repair strained relations, Vice President Kamala Harris’ team has initiated a dialogue with major cryptocurrency industry players. This outreach aims to restore the Democratic Party’s stance on digital assets and promote a more collaborative approach.

THE Financial Times reports that Harris’s advisors have reached out to representatives from industry leaders like Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple Labs. This move comes as the cryptocurrency community increasingly supports Republican candidate Donald Trump, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s cryptocurrency policies.

THE disclosure follows a letter from Democratic lawmakers and 2024 candidates urging the party to reevaluate its approach to digital assets. Harris’s team stresses that this effort is less about securing campaign contributions and more about engaging in constructive dialogue to develop sensible regulations.

The move is part of a broader strategy to reshape the Democratic Party’s image among business leaders, countering perceptions of an anti-business stance. Harris’ campaign aims to project a “pro-business, responsible business” message.

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