International

Cryptocurrency

Russia Set to Start Testing Crypto in International Payments

By Editors | 29/08/2024

The trials will commence in September. If successful, Russia may allow the Moscow Exchange to set up crypto platforms next year.

Cryptocurrency

CME to Launch Weekly Bitcoin Futures on 30 September

By Editors | 29/08/2024

The new contracts will be cash-settled at 4pm New York time every Friday to help investors mitigate weekend price moves.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Swiss Court Sentences Two to Jail for Defrauding 1MDB

By Manesh Samtani | 29/08/2024

Two executives of an oil exploration company known as PetroSaudi were sentenced for defrauding 1MDB out of more than $1.8bn.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

French Prosecutors File Charges Against Telegram CEO

By Editors | 28/08/2024

A French court ruled that there were grounds to formally investigate Pavel Durov, releasing him on bail and ordering him to remain in France.

PEPs & Sanctions

Google Sues to Prevent Further Asset Seizures by Russia

By Editors | 28/08/2024

Court documents have revealed that Russia seized more than $100mn from Google’s Russian bank accounts in 2022.

Trade Based Money Laundering

Singapore Charges South Korean in S$1.5b TBML Scheme

By Ranamita Chakraborty | 28/08/2024

The accused hid smuggled cash in tool shipments from Korea and Japan, and then exported gold bars disguised as mechanical tools.

Anti-Bribery & Corruption

Former Vitol Trader Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme

By Editors | 27/08/2024

Javier Aguilar and co-conspirators paid $600,000 in bribes in 2018 to two senior Mexican officials to win contracts for Vitol.

Tokenisation

AIIB Becomes First in Asia to Issue Digital Note via Euroclear

By Ranamita Chakraborty | 27/08/2024

The digital securities raised $300mn for AIIB’s sustainable development bond programme, with clearing possible through HKMA’s CMU and SIX.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Thailand Extradites Crypto Fraud Suspect to China

By Editors | 27/08/2024

The Malaysian national is the first suspect to be sent from Thailand to China under an extradition treaty that took effect in 1999.