Binance Under Investigation in France: French authorities have initiated a judicial investigation into Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, on allegations of money laundering, tax fraud, and operating without necessary approvals. The probe covers activities from 2019 to 2024 and includes accusations related to drug trafficking and financial misconduct.
Heather ‘Razzlekhan’ Morgan’s Legal Battle: Heather Morgan, known for her involvement in a $4.5 billion onlinecurrency heist, is set to begin her prison sentence on February 4. She has expressed regret for her actions but remains loyal to her husband and co-conspirator, Ilya Lichtenstein. Morgan is also pursuing legal action against Netflix, alleging defamation in their documentary about the heist.
Market Movements and Institutional Interest
Bitcoin’s Record High: Bitcoin has reached a new all-time high, trading above $109,000. This surge is attributed to anticipated regulatory shifts under President Donald Trump’s administration, including the establishment of a working group to review digital asset regulations and the consideration of creating a national Bitcoin reserve.
Exchanges Expand in the EU: With the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, exchanges like OKX, and Bitpanda are expanding their presence in the European Union. The regulatory clarity provided by MiCA has made the EU an attractive destination for these firms.
Legal Accountability in Crypto Scams
Brokerage Firm Sued Over Ponzi Scheme: In the aftermath of Eddy Alexandre’s $260 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme, the court-appointed receiver has filed a lawsuit against Interactive Brokers (IBKR). The suit alleges that IBKR failed to detect and prevent the fraudulent activities, raising questions about third-party liability in investment scams.
Current onlinecurrency Prices
As of now, the cryptocurrency market is experiencing slight declines:
Bitcoin (BTC): $102,729.00, down 0.00006%
Ethereum (ETH): $3,136.85, down 1.51%
BNB (BNB): $670.53, down 0.51%
XRP (XRP): $3.09, down 2.52%
Cardano (ADA): $0.9326, down 3.12%
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of the onlinecurrency landscape, influenced by regulatory actions, market movements, and legal proceedings.