BitYard Weekly Roundup (2022/03/07— 2022/03/15)

2022 年 4 月 7 日

1) Financial Regulator Orders Shut Down of All Bitcoin ATMs in UK

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has told crypto ATM operators to shut down their machines or face enforcement action, per a statement released today. The FCA added that cryptocurrency ATMs that offer crypto exchange services must be registered with the FCA, and also must comply with the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations.“None of the crypto asset firms registered with us have been approved to offer crypto ATM services, meaning that any of them operating in the UK are doing so illegally and consumers should not be using them,” the FCA said.

2) Andreessen, Alexis Ohanian Back $30M Crypto Fund — That Only Invests in NFTs

Just when the traditional finance world was beginning to get used to the idea of a “crypto fund,” now it’ll need to contend with million-dollar funds for JPEGs. The latest is Curated, a $30 million fund that plans to invest exclusively in NFTs and is backed by some of the biggest names in the crypto and Web3 investment space, including Andreessen Horowitz’s Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon, as well as Reddit and Seven Seven Six Ventures founder Alexis Ohanian.

3) US Authorities Seize $28M in Crypto Related to NetWalker Ransomware

Over $28 million worth of cryptocurrency has been seized in connection with a former Canadian government employee, Sebastien Vachon-Desjardins, being extradited to the United States on charges relating to Netwalker ransomware. According to the Department of Justice (DoJ), Vachon-Desjardins has been charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and wire fraud, intentional damage to a protected computer, and transmitting a demand in relation to damaging a protected computer arising from his alleged participation in Netwalker — a sophisticated form of ransomware. The indictment, cited by the DoJ, also alleges the United States intends to forfeit over $27 million of the $28 million seized, allegedly traceable to proceeds of the offenses.

4) President Joe Biden signs crypto order

On Wednesday March 9th, Biden signed the first executive order focused on cryptocurrency. The order directs federal agencies to come up with ideas for policies to address the risks and benefits of digital assets. The order also directs the federal government to look into potentially developing a US central bank digital currency, a type of cryptocurrency controlled by the government.

While Biden’s executive order is a starting point that lays the foundation for future regulation, it’s the first indication of a centralized government effort to determine how cryptocurrency might be handled down the road.