Sanctions

Crypto / Digital Assets

Russia to Launch CBDC Consumer Pilot in April With 13 Banks

By Editors | 20/02/2023

The 13 participating banks have “passed all tests” to confirm their technical readiness to start the pilot with a limited number of clients.

Enforcement

US, UK Sanction Bulgarian Nationals for Corruption Offences

By Editors | 19/02/2023

The UK issued sanctions under its Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime. The US sanctions were imposed under the Magnitsky Act.

Sanctions

China Sanctions US Defence Firms Over Taiwan Weapons Sales

By Editors | 17/02/2023

Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon Technologies were added to China’s “Unreliable Entity List”. The notice requires both to pay fines.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Crypto Crime Rose to Over $20b in 2022: Chainalysis

By Editors | 17/02/2023

Overall, Chainalysis says illicit activity in cryptocurrency remains a small share of total volume at less than 1 percent.

AML / KYC

Sanctioned Crypto Mixer Relaunched Under New Name

By Editors | 16/02/2023

Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic found a trail of transactions linking sanctioned crypto mixer Blender to a new mixing service that was launched in October.

Crypto / Digital Assets

North Korean Crypto Thefts Broke Records in 2022 – Report

By Mark Johnston | 14/02/2023

A UN report says North Korea stole more crypto in 2022 than in any previous year, using cyber techniques that have grown in sophistication.

Sanctions

UK Adds Russia Sanctions, EU Prepares Next Package

By Manesh Samtani | 14/02/2023

The US will crack down on facilitators and third-country providers helping Russia evade sanctions, whether “wittingly or unwittingly”.

AML / KYC

Wolfsberg Group Updates CBDDQ, FCCQ, and Related Documents

By Editors | 13/02/2023

The CBDDQ updates include a new section on fraud and additional questions related to whistleblower policy, virtual bank licence, the approval of sanctions policy, and other changes.

Crypto / Digital Assets

South Korea Issues First Independent DPRK Sanctions

By Editors | 12/02/2023

The sanctions came hours after South Korea and the US released a joint cybersecurity advisory detailing the threat posed by North Korean ransomware actors.