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☆ The Last Man Standing in Crypto
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Vicky Ge Huang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Brian Armstrong has become the new face of crypto. Coinbase Global, the cryptocurrency exchange he co-founded in 2012, is one of the last big digital-asset companies standing after a string of high-profile collapses and government crackdowns. Armstrong’s former rivals—FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Binance founder Changpeng Zhao , who once boasted far greater influence and wealth—are either in jail or facing time behind bars.

Persons: Brian Armstrong, —, Sam Bankman, Changpeng Zhao

☆ Cryptocurrency investors eagerly awaiting SEC ruling on bitcoin ETFs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-05 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Crypto investors are eagerly awaiting an imminent ruling from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that will likely approve the trading of a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund, more than a decade after initial attempts were rejected. 13 companies have filed for a spot bitcoin ETF:Grayscale Bitcoin TrustArk/21Shares Bitcoin TrustBitwise Bitcoin ETF TrustBlackRock Bitcoin ETF TrustVanEck Bitcoin TrustWisdomTree Bitcoin TrustValkyrie Bitcoin FundInvesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETFFidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin TrustGlobal X Bitcoin TrustHashdex Bitcoin ETFFranklin Templeton Digital Holdings TrustPando Asset Spot Bitcoin TrustHow the SEC will proceedThere are two components to the applications:1) A 19b-4 filing, which is a form used by exchanges to inform the SEC of a proposed rule change. In this case, each company filing for the spot bitcoin ETF has differences in the way the product might be structured. Invesco's Galaxy Bitcoin ETF has set its expense ratio at 59 basis points, which are waived for the initial six months and the first $5 billion in assets. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust currently charges 2% but has said it's committed to lowering the fee once its application to convert to a bitcoin ETF is approved.

Persons: Fidelity's, it's, Gary Gensler's, Gensler, Bitcoin, Coinbase, Binance, Changpeng Zhao, Zhao, Wood Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, BlackRock, Fidelity, Bitcoin, Franklin Templeton Digital Holdings Trust, SEC, Securities, NYSE, Nasdaq, Galaxy, U.S ., Appeals, U.S . Department of Justice, Binance

Meanwhile, there is growing excitement that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will approve the first ever bitcoin ETF, after years of opposition. With all of this excitement comes some quite bold predictions about bitcoin's price. "No rationale for that prediction," Mobius said, except that a bitcoin ETF looks likely and "that has heightened interest" in the cryptocurrency. Yang attributes the anticipated price rise to a bitcoin ETF being approved, leading to higher institutional investment in bitcoin, as well as May 2024's bitcoin halving, which would result in the bitcoin supply being constrained. Alexander told CNBC that during the first quarter of 2024, bitcoin will trade within the $40,000 to $55,000 range, owing to "professional traders creating volatility."

Persons: Filip Radwanski, Bitcoin, bitcoin, FTX, Sam Bankman, Fried, Binance's Changpeng Zhao, Mark Mobius, Mobius, Yang, Luna, James Butterfill, Butterfill, Antoni Trenchev, Trenchev, Carol Alexander, Alexander, Coinbase, Matrixport Organizations: Getty, CNBC, Department of Justice, U.S, U.S . Securities, Exchange, Chartered, University of Sussex, Exchange Commission, SEC, Fidelity, Blackrock, Federal Reserve Locations: U.S, bitcoin, Blackrock

Here's the state of play globally for crypto regulation and enforcement in 2023 — and a look at what to expect in 2024. "However, much of their work has involved providing guidance to the industry through enforcement actions," continued Levin. Crypto market participants nevertheless hope that the spate of legal challenges brought to crypto companies in 2023 will bring clarity in the form of new regulations. The U.S.'s dominant role in global finance and its focus on consumer protection plays a crucial role in its leading position in crypto regulation enforcement. The region has been increasingly warming to crypto assets, despite a broader anti-crypto push from China, which banned bitcoin trading and mining in 2021.

Persons: Al Drago, Binance, Sam Bankman, Renato Mariotti, Mariotti, Richard Levin, Nelson Mullins Riley, Levin, ada, Changpeng Zhao, Damian Williams, Brian Armstrong, Armstrong, Alyse Killeen, Scarborough's Levin, FinCEN, Killeen, Diem, USDC, Braden Perry, it's, Kennyhertz Perry, Perry, Bafin Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Bloomberg, Getty, Regulators, Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S, Alameda Research, U.S . Justice Department's Securities, Commodities, CNBC, Capitol, SEC, Futures Trading Commission, Department of Justice, Scarborough, CFTC, Protocol Labs, Southern, of, Stillmark, Meta, Visa, Mastercard, U.S ., European, IRS, European Union, EU, France's Financial Markets Authority, AMF, Treasury, Monetary Authority of, Three Arrows, Terra Labs, Terra, Hong Kong Securities, Futures Commission, SFC, OSL Locations: Washington, Europe, Asia, U.S, Alameda, of New York, European, Crypto, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Monetary Authority of Singapore, China, East, Africa

☆ Heroes to zeroes in 12 months: How the two biggest crypto billionaire CEOs proved the critics right
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-30 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Combination showing Former FTX CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried (L) and Zhao Changpeng (R), founder and chief executive officer of Binance. Meanwhile, Solana is nearly 10x higher in the last 12 months, and bitcoin miner Marathon Digital has also skyrocketed. That same year, Bankman-Fried earned street cred in crypto circles for his bitcoin arbitrage trading strategy, dubbed the Kimchi swap. The relationship between Zhao and Bankman-Fried began to sour a few months after they met. In Nov. 2022, a fight between Bankman-Fried and CZ on Twitter, now known as X, pulled the mask off the scheme.

Persons: Sam Bankman, Zhao Changpeng, Bitcoin, Solana, Binance's, Zhao, FTX's Sam Bankman, Fried, JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, bitcoin, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Elizabeth Warren, execs, Renato Mariotti, Michael Lewis, Sam, gunning, Lewis, SBF, Binance, FTX, Goldman Sachs, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Amr Alfiky Organizations: Marathon, JPMorgan, Microsoft, Capitol, Department of Justice, U.S . Justice Department's Securities, Commodities, CZ, Alameda Research, Formula, Democratic, Twitter, Emergency Economic, U.S ., Futures Trading Commission, Treasury Department, Securities, Exchange Commission, Justice Department, DOJ, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Singapore, Bankman, FTX, Miami, Washington, Alameda, U.S, New York City

☆ Crypto’s 2023 was marred by fraud and scandal. It was its best year ever
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-24 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Crypto’s 14th year in existence was one marred by scandal, bankruptcy, fraud and regulatory squabbling. Bitcoin, the crypto’s bellwether asset, is up 160% for the year. “It was the year of crypto’s resiliency,” Kyla Curley, a crypto expert and partner at global advisory StoneTurn, tells CNN. “Fraud is fraud,” Curley says, “Regardless of the technology or the industry … you cannot stop human nature. Adding to that bullish sentiment: the bitcoin halving, or, more menacingly, “the halvening.”While it’s often a buy-the-hype-sell-the-news kind of event, the halving does tend to push bitcoin higher.

Persons: New York CNN —, “, ”, Sam Bankman, Zhao, Alex Mashinsky, Heather “ Razzlekhan ” Morgan, Ilya Lichtenstein, ‘, Bonnie, Clyde ’, Bitcoin, crypto’s, ” Kyla Curley, ” Curley, Changpeng Zhao, Eduardo Munoz, Costas Baltas, Faryar Shirzad, bitcoin, ” Antoni Trenchev, ” Trenchev, Warren Buffett, Anthony Scaramucci, “ Bitcoin Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York CNN — Crypto’s, CNN, Department of Justice, crypto’s, grifters, Bitcoiners, SkyBridge Locations: New York, SBF, Bitcoin

☆ Bitcoin price hits highest level in 18 months as investors gear up for ETF approval
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —The price of bitcoin soared above $40,000 on Monday, hitting its highest level in 18 months as investors look ahead to a lower interest rate environment and key regulatory approvals that could make the crypto asset more mainstream. Bitcoin, the world’s most popular cryptocurrency, was up more than 5% over the past 24 hours, trading at $41,600, according to CoinMarketCap. Bitcoin is now up 150% for the year, though it remains far from its historical high of $69,000 in November of 2021. A spot bitcoin ETF would allow traditional investors to have exposure to the digital asset without actually owning it. The market has long desired a way to ride the digital asset’s wild rallies, but its volatility has also made owning bitcoin unappealing outside of the digital asset community.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, ”, Antoni Trenchev, Changpeng Zhao, Binance, FTX, Sam Bankman Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal, Securities and Exchange, SEC Locations: New York

☆ Crypto execs says the bull run is underway and could lead to $100,000 bitcoin in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"It feels that [2023]was a year to get ready for the bull run that is yet to come. But the sentiment is very hopeful for [2024] and 25," Pascal Gauthier, CEO of Ledger, told CNBC last week in an interview. Since then, the crypto industry has been hit with a litany of issues from the collapse of coins and projects to bankruptcies and criminal trials. It began with Standard Chartered last week which reiterated an April price call that bitcoin would hit $100,000 by end of 2024. "Combined with geopolitical crosscurrents, this healthy dose of monetary support should push Bitcoin to new highs in 2024."

Persons: Chino, Bitcoin, Pascal Gauthier, Ledger, Sam Bankman, Changpeng Zhao, David Marcus, Marcus, Facebook's, Diem, Gauthier, Vijay Ayyar, Matrixport Organizations: Getty, CNBC, U.S . Department of Justice, bitcoin, Standard Chartered, Federal Reserve

When 2023 began, a single bitcoin could be had for less than $17,000 after losing more than 75% of its value. But fueling this latest rally are prospects for the possible approval of spot bitcoin exchange traded funds — a pooled investment security that can be bought and sold like stocks. While analysts expect the potential approval of spot bitcoin ETFs to create a much larger pool of crypto investors, future volumes could go either way, Carey added. Despite the recent excitement around bitcoin, experts still maintain that crypto is a risky bet with wildly unpredictable fluctuations in value. As of around 1:30 p.m. Eastern time Monday, the price of bitcoin stood at $41,709.

Persons: Bitcoin, Riyad Carey, Carey, Binance, Changpeng Zhao, ”, “, Edward Moya, FTX, bitcoin Organizations: Federal, Industry, Regulators, Associated Locations: Silicon, bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, U.S

☆ Opinion: Why crypto was the perfect tool for criminals and kleptocrats
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Opinion Casey Michel | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The news last week of money laundering charges against crypto exchange Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao, sent shockwaves through both financial markets and crypto consumers alike. But for those familiar with the history of modern money laundering, they’re hardly surprising. Over and again, everything from Manhattan high-rises to Malibu beachfronts to Midwest manufacturing plants have allegedly housed illicit wealth, easily and anonymously. But crypto was also, in many ways, the perfect tool for kleptocrats and criminals trying to dodge sanctions and duck investigators. Like banks, real estate and more before it, the best days of the crypto industry as a haven for money laundering may yet be behind it.

Persons: Casey Michel, Changpeng Zhao, Zhao, ”, Versha Sharma, Hamas’s Al, they’re, —, kleptocrats Organizations: CNN, Wall Street Journal, Binance, Hamas’s, ISIS, Patriot Locations: Washington, American, Manhattan, Malibu, Midwest

☆ Crypto stocks set to start December on high note as bitcoin hits near 19-month high
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of bitcoin miners - whose profitability improves as bitcoin climbs - including Riot Platforms (RIOT.O), Marathon Digital (MARA.O) and TeraWulf (WULF.O) rose between 1.7% and 4%. "Higher crypto prices should lead to a boost in transaction volume and transaction revenues for Coinbase as we enter 2024," said CFRA Research analyst Michael Elliott. However, Elliott cautioned the crypto exchange faces both legal challenges and new regulations that are likely to take time to play out and will continue to result in volatility for the stock. The ETF approval bets have helped counter latest concerns after Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the world's largest crypto exchange, stepped down and pleaded guilty to breaking U.S. anti-money laundering laws. Among other gainers were U.S. software developer and bitcoin investor Microstrategy (MSTR.O), up nearly 3.5%, and ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO.P), which added 2.1%.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Noelle Acheson, J.P.Morgan, Iris, Michael Elliott, Elliott, Changpeng Zhao, Microstrategy, Medha Singh, Sriraj Kalluvila, Krishna Chandra Organizations: REUTERS, Cipher Mining, Iris Energy, Marathon, CFRA, Thomson Locations: bitcoin, Bengaluru

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo faces $1 billion class-action lawsuit for endorsing worthless NFTs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a $1 billion class action lawsuit for his promotion of Binance, the world’s biggest crypto exchange. Ronaldo and Binance didn’t immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment. Notably, Ronaldo is still promoting the company, including posting a Binance ad as recently as November 28 on his X account, which has 110 million followers. Celebrities suedOther celebrities have also been the target of similar lawsuits. He also agreed to pay a $50 million criminal fine and a $150 million civil penalty.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo “, Ronaldo, Binance didn’t, Binance, “, Gary Gensler, Kim Kardashian, Celebrities, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Brady, Bundchen, Kardashian, Floyd Mayweather, Jr, cryptocurrency, Charles Whitehead, ” Whitehead, ”, Changpeng Zhao, ” Zhao, – CNN’s Jennifer Korn, Allison Morrow Organizations: New, New York CNN — Soccer, ” Securities, Exchange, SEC, Cornell Law School, CNN Locations: New York, Florida

Coinbase has the added benefit of having survived the so-called crypto winter, while so many of its rivals disappeared or downsized. Combination showing Former FTX CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried (L) and Zhao Changpeng (R), founder and chief executive officer of Binance. With assets of more than $65 billion on the platform, Binance remains the world's largest crypto exchange globally. watch nowBoth Coinbase and Binance still face legal battles with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which was noticeably absent from the Binance settlement. Regulatory approval would open up many more avenues for people to buy bitcoin.

Persons: Brian Armstrong, Carlos Jasso, Coinbase, Sam Bankman, FTX, Changpeng Zhao, Zhao Changpeng, Binance, Zhao, CoinGecko, Mizuho, it's, CNBC's Joumanna, Armstrong, Bittrex, JPMorgan Chase, Franklin Templeton Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Bloomberg, Getty, Tech, Reuters, Justice Department, CNBC, Mizuho, Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S, SEC, JPMorgan, WisdomTree Locations: U.S, Binance, Needham, BlackRock, WisdomTree

NEW YORK (AP) — Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has been hit with class-action lawsuit seeking at least $1 billion in damages for his role in promoting cryptocurrency-related “non-fungible tokens,” or NFTs, issued by the beleaguered cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Representatives for Ronaldo and Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, did not immediately return The Associated Press' requests for comment. Ronaldo launched his inaugural NFT “CR7” collection with Binance back in November of last year, ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Most recently, on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) Ronaldo reposted a Binance video and wrote that he was “Cooking something up" with the crypto exchange on Tuesday. Over the summer, Binance was accused of operating as an unregistered securities exchange and violating a slew of U.S. securities laws in a lawsuit from regulators.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, ”, Binance, “, Ronaldo's, NFTs, Changpeng Zhao, Larry David, Tom Brady —, FTX’s, Al Nassr Organizations: Southern District of, Associated Press, Twitter, FTX, Spanish, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, Saudi Arabian Locations: Portuguese, cryptocurrency, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, Portugal, Hollywood, England

Bitcoin coins are seen at a stand during the Bitcoin Conference 2023, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., May 19, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. government will cut off cryptocurrency companies from the broader U.S. economy if they fail to block and report illicit money flows, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo warned the industry on Wednesday. The Biden administration on Tuesday sent a letter to Congress, requesting new legislation that would grant Treasury the authority to police crypto marketplaces used by actors the U.S. government deems illicit, Adeyemo said. Binance said in response that it had worked hard to make the platform "safer and even more secure." Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Michelle PriceOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marco Bello, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Biden, Changpeng Zhao, Binance, Hannah Lang, Michelle Price Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Blockchain Association, Treasury, Palestinian, Prosecutors, Islamic, Thomson Locations: Miami Beach , Florida, U.S, Israel, Gaza, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Iraq, Syria, Washington

☆ Philippines' SEC to block access to world's largest crypto exchange Binance
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Smartphone with displayed Binance logo and representation of cryptocurrencies are placed on a keyboard in this illustration taken, June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission has begun the process of blocking access to the world's largest crypto exchange Binance, whose chief last week stepped down and pleaded guilty to breaking U.S. anti-money laundering laws. The SEC said the operator of Binance was not a registered corporation in the Philippines, and was operating without the necessary licence and authority to sell or offer any form of securities. The removal of access in the Philippines, the SEC said in a statement, will take effect within three months of the issuance of its advisory on Nov. 28 to give Filipino users time to pull out investments from the crypto exchange. Former Binance chief Changpeng Zhao stepped down as CEO last week after pleading guilty to wilfully causing the exchange to fail to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Binance, Alphabet's, Changpeng Zhao, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Alphabet's Google, Facebook, Binance, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Rights MANILA, Philippines

☆ Fintech firm SoFi set to exit cryptocurrency business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 29 (Reuters) - Financial technology firm SoFi Technologies (SOFI.O) is set to exit the cryptocurrency business and has given its customers the option to migrate to UK-based Blockchain.com, the companies said on Wednesday. The San Francisco-based company said it was ending its crypto services on Dec. 19, and starting Wednesday, new SoFi crypto accounts cannot be opened. SoFi said its eligible customers can migrate their account to Blockchain.com or close their account instead. Crypto users living in New York will not be eligible for the migration due to New York state availability. London-based Blockchain.com said crypto account holders at SoFi will get access to dozens of tokens traded on its platform.

Persons: Sam Bankman, Changpeng Zhao, SoFi, Blockchain.com, Arasu Kannagi Basil, Devika Organizations: SoFi Technologies, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Bloomberg News, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, New York, London, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 27 (Reuters) - Former Binance chief Changpeng Zhao must stay in the United States for the time being, a federal judge said on Monday, after the founder of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange pleaded guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws. U.S. District Judge Richard Jones in Seattle said he would review whether Zhao should have to stay in the United States after the U.S. government appealed a decision by another judge allowing Zhao to return to the UAE before his Feb. 23 sentencing hearing. Last week, Zhao conceded: "I made mistakes, and I must take responsibility." The government had said it may be unable to secure Zhao's return to the United States given it has no extradition treaty with the UAE. Lawyers for Zhao disputed that he was a potential flight risk, noting that he paid a "substantial" bail package and voluntarily came to the United States to accept responsibility for his actions.

Persons: Zhao Changpeng, Binance, Benoit Tessier, Changpeng Zhao, Zhao, Richard Jones, Chris Prentice, Hannah Lang, Michelle Price, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, United Arab, District, U.S, UAE, Binance Holdings, Justice, Lawyers, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France, United States, Seattle, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Binance, New York, Washington

☆ SEC Keeps Pressing for Evidence of Potential Fraud at Binance.US
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Securities and Exchange Commission is still looking for evidence that Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao may have a backdoor to control assets stored on the Binance.US platform. The SEC sued Binance and Binance.US in June alleging they operated illegal securities exchanges, and its lawsuit so far has hinged on the agency's concerns about the potential for Binance to expropriate the American crypto assets in an FTX-style fraud.

Persons: Changpeng Zhao, Binance Organizations: Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC Locations: Binance.US

☆ Binance founder Changpeng Zhao ordered by judge to stay in U.S. ahead of prison sentencing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty last week to criminal charges tied to his cryptocurrency exchange, has to remain in the U.S. at least temporarily, according to a ruling Monday by a federal judge. Zhao was released on a $175 million bond last week and has a sentencing hearing scheduled for Feb. 23. Prosecutors said they'd already made an "exceptional recommendation" in suggesting that Zhao be allowed to remain free until his sentencing. Zhao agreed to step down as CEO of Binance as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the Department of Justice. WATCH: Binance settlement a 'win' for the exchange and the industry

Persons: Changpeng Zhao, Zhao, Richard Jones, Prosecutors, they'd, Binance Organizations: Viva Technology, Porte de, Prosecutors, United Arab Emirates, U.S, Binance, Department of Justice, Justice Department Locations: Porte, Paris, U.S, Seattle, UAE, United States

☆ Judge Temporarily Blocks Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao From Leaving U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A judge still needs to decide whether Zhao will be required to remain in the country to wait for sentencing for violating anti-money-laundering requirements . The sentencing is scheduled for late February. Zhao stepped down as chief executive of Binance last week after pleading guilty to one count in a Seattle federal court. He and his attorneys argued that he should be allowed to return to his residence in the United Arab Emirates. The government has opposed that, arguing Zhao could be a flight risk.

Persons: Zhao, Binance Organizations: United, United Arab Emirates Locations: Seattle, United Arab

☆ Coinbase CEO says crypto industry can turn the page after historic Binance settlement
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Brian Armstrong, chief executive officer of Coinbase Global Inc., speaks during the Messari Mainnet summit in New York, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. The crypto industry can finally close the chapter on a litany of scandals and problems after Binance was hit with a historic settlement by the U.S. Department of Justice, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said Monday. "There are many crypto companies that are helping build the crypto economy and change our financial system globally. Binance was hit by the U.S. Department of Justice with a $4 billion settlement last week, which saw its founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao step down and plead guilty to charges of money laundering violations. "It's true that there have been some small amount of illicit activity in crypto but it's actually less than 1% from what we've seen.

Persons: Brian Armstrong, Binance, Armstrong, CNBC's Joumanna, Changpeng Zhao, we've Organizations: Coinbase Global Inc, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S, Bank, CNBC Locations: New York, Iran

☆ Ex-Binance CEO Zhao urges judge to allow him to leave the U.S. before sentencing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Lawyers for former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao are urging a U.S. judge to reject the Justice Department's request to bar him from returning to his home in the United Arab Emirates until he is sentenced for violating anti-money laundering requirements. Zhao's lawyers in a Thursday filing asked U.S. District Judge Richard Jones in Seattle not to reverse bail conditions set by a magistrate judge on Tuesday that would allow him to leave the U.S. while awaiting sentencing. The Justice Department has asked Jones by Monday to reverse a decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Tsuchida to allow Zhao to return home to the UAE ahead of his Feb. 23 sentencing after he agreed to release him on a $175 million bail bond. Allowing Zhao to return to the UAE would allow him to take care of his partner and three children and prepare them for his sentencing, defense lawyers argued. "In the vast majority of cases, a multi-billionaire defendant who has pleaded guilty, faces possible prison time, and lives in a country that does not extradite its citizens to the United States would be detained," Justice Department lawyers said.

Persons: Zhao Changpeng, Binance, Changpeng Zhao, Richard Jones, Zhao, Jones, Brian Tsuchida Organizations: Viva Technology, Porte de, United Arab Emirates, U.S, District, Islamic, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Justice Locations: Porte, Paris, France, Seattle, U.S, UAE, Canada, Binance, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Iraq, Syria, United States

☆ Why Stamping Out Crypto Bros Could Help Bitcoin
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Changpeng Zhao, founder and CEO of Binance, has pleaded guilty to money-laundering violations. PHOTO: REUTERS/Benoit TessierSuch is the wackiness of the crypto world that a regulatory crackdown might actually revive investor optimism. Earlier this week, Binance Chief Executive Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to money-laundering violations and agreed to pay a criminal fine of $50 million. Then, his company will pay $4.3 billion to, among other things, settle civil allegations related to sanctions evasion.

Persons: Changpeng Zhao, Benoit Tessier Organizations: Binance

Zhao's lawyers in a Thursday filing asked U.S. District Judge Richard Jones in Seattle not to reverse bail conditions set by a magistrate judge on Tuesday that would allow him to leave the U.S. while awaiting sentencing. Zhao, a citizen of the UAE and Canada, stepped down as CEO of Binance on Tuesday after pleading guilty to willfully causing the global cryptocurrency exchange to fail to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program. Allowing Zhao to return to the UAE would allow him to take care of his partner and three children and prepare them for his sentencing, defense lawyers argued. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Zhao Changpeng, Binance, Benoit Tessier, Changpeng Zhao, Richard Jones, Zhao, Jones, Brian Tsuchida, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, United Arab Emirates, U.S, District, Islamic, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Justice, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France, Seattle, U.S, UAE, Canada, Binance, al Qaeda, Islamic State, Iraq, Syria, Boston

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