Russia
U.S. DOJ Charges 2 Russian Nationals With Mt. Gox Hack
Russian nationals Alexey Bilyuchenko and Aleksandr Verner were charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with the 2014 Mt. Gox hack, at the time one of the biggest thefts in crypto history. CoinDesk Managing Editor of Global Policy and Regulation Nikhilesh De breaks down the latest revelations in the case.
DOJ Investigating Binance for Russia-Related Sanctions Violations: Bloomberg
Bloomberg reports that the U.S. Department of Justice's national security division is conducting an inquiry into whether Binance allowed Russian customers to access the exchange in violation of U.S. sanctions related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Spokespeople for Binance and the Justice Department did not immediately return CoinDesk's requests for comment. CoinDesk Global Policy and Regulation Managing Editor Nikhilesh De shares the latest developments.
Huobi, Kucoin Still Permit Customers of Sanctioned Russian Banks To Transact: Report
According to Bloomberg, a new report from Inca Digital finds that crypto exchanges Huobi and Kucoin are permitting customers of sanctioned Russian banks to transact on their platforms. "The Hash" panel discusses the reported implications for the decentralized economy across the globe.
Russian Troops Receiving Millions in Crypto Donations Despite Sanctions
Russian troops in Ukraine are receiving millions in crypto donations despite being sanctioned for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. CoinDesk investigates how crypto donations to Russian troops are flowing. "The Hash" panel discusses crypto's use case as a fundraising tool in times of war and humanitarian crises.
Russia's Largest Bank to Introduce DeFi Platform by May: Report
Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, will release a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform by May, according to a report by the Russian news agency Interfax. "The Hash" panel discusses what this suggests about the evolution of the traditional banking system and future of DeFi.
Differences Between Retail and Wholesale CBDCs
"Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine...there's a real pickup in interest in wholesale central bank digital currency," said Josh Lipsky, senior director of The Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center, discussing his CBDC outlook for 2023. Plus, he explains the differences between retail and wholesale CBDCs.
United Nations Taps Stellar Blockchain to Aid War-Impacted Ukrainians
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is working with Stellar Development Foundation to send USDC stablecoins across the Stellar blockchain to Ukrainians impacted by the ongoing Russian invasion. "The Hash" panel discusses the crypto for social good use case in times of conflict.
FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Backtracks on $1B Political Donation; Russians Face New Crypto Sanctions in the EU
Sam Bankman-Fried, the head of crypto exchange FTX, in an interview with Politico's Morning Money backtracked on his remarks that he would donate up to $1 billion in the next U.S. presidential election. Plus, crypto exchanges LocalBitcoins, Crypto.com and Blockchain.com have notified their Russian users that their services will soon be discontinued and recommended that the users withdraw funds from their accounts.
Some Pro-Russian Groups Using Crypto to Fund Paramilitary Operations: TRM Labs
TRM Labs has found that roughy $400,000 has been raised in crypto since February for Russian paramilitary operations in Ukraine. TRM Labs Head of Legal and Government Affairs Ari Redbord says one of those groups has been identified as Task Force Rusich. Plus, he discusses why it’s hard for Russia to evade sanctions using crypto.
Pro-Russian Groups Raise $400K in Crypto To Support Russian Paramilitary: TRM Labs
The EU has confirmed a sweeping ban on providing crypto services to Russians as it tightens sanctions, but TRM Labs says $400K has been raised in crypto since February for Russian paramilitary operations in Ukraine. TRM Labs Head of Legal and Government Affairs Ari Redbord discusses the key takeaways from the research.
