Regulation
China Tightens Laws on Crypto Use in Money Laundering Crimes
China’s Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuratorate have issued new measures to address anti-money laundering laws. From the 20th of August, 2024 the legal interpretation provides for very rigorous conditions concerning the prosecution of money laundering-related offences.
China Focus on Virtual Assets in Money Laundering
The new guidelines are mainly to counter the use of virtual assets in the process of money laundering. The interpretation defines virtual asset transactions as ways of concealing the proceeds from criminal activities and closing the earlier existing legal gaps. Consequently, this underlines China’s growing efforts to address the expansion of the virtual asset market and new-age financial crimes.
China’s Supreme Court and Supreme Procuratorate listed “virtual asset” transactions as one of the ways of money laundering in the interpretation of the Criminal Law. In the first half of 2024, 1,391 people were prosecuted for money laundering, an increase of 28.4% year-on-year.…
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) August 19, 2024
Under the new interpretation, virtual asset transactions can be considered as acts of “suppressing and hiding the source” of criminal funds. The guidelines also set a level of what can be considered as ‘serious circumstances’ in money laundering cases for instance, laundering more than 5 million yuan or losses amounting to more than 2. 5 million yuan.
To this end, China intends to enhance the legal system to combat financial crimes through the following specific measures.
Rise in Money Laundering Prosecutions
Chinese authorities have increased the number of money laundering prosecutions; the country handled almost 3,000 cases in 2023. This is an increase of 20 times compared to 2019, which indicates the increasing activity of combating money laundering. In the first half of 2024, the number of prosecutions went up by 28.4% showing that there were still efforts being made to fight financial crimes.
The Supreme People’s Procuratorate has been at the forefront of fighting against money laundering since 2020 and has fostered inter-agency cooperation. Cooperation with the National Supervisory Commission and the Ministry of Public Security shows China’s multi-faceted approach to combating corruption and money laundering. The new legal interpretation is based on this approach, which helps to improve the prosecution of these crimes.
The interpretation also extends the definitions of ‘self-laundering’ and ‘money laundering by others.’ It outlines special cases when money laundering is considered to be particularly severe, and it provides the guidelines for the concurrent penalties in case money laundering is committed together with other crimes.
Furthermore, the guidelines give more details on some of the specific ways of laundering the money which will be used by the prosecutors when making charges. The interpretation also defines the fines and permits mild punishment under specific circumstances, which is fair in enforcement.
$2 Billion in Ethereum Shifted Amid Crackdown
In parallel with these updates, $2 billion worth of Ethereum associated with the Plus Token Ponzi scheme was recently transferred. Initially nabbed by Chinese authorities, the funds were moved from the wallets linked to the scam, suggesting government intervention.
The wallets in question have not been active since April 2021, which has led to speculations that the Chinese government is selling off the seized crypto assets.
These assets, belonging to the Plus Token scam, one of the biggest crypto Ponzi schemes, were seized during the crackdown on financial crimes in China. These developments are indicative of the attempts to clamp down on cryptocurrency transactions as part of the fight against money laundering.
Kelvin Munene Murithi
Kelvin is a distinguished writer specializing in crypto and finance, backed by a Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science. Recognized for incisive analysis and insightful content, he has an adept command of English and excels at thorough research and timely delivery.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
Chris Giancarlo, widely known as “Crypto Dad,” has emerged as the leading candidate for a newly proposed role of crypto czar in the White House under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. The potential appointment underscores a strategic effort to advance crypto regulations and foster blockchain innovation in the United States.
This proposed position would be the first of its kind in the White House, aiming to bring clarity to the growing $3 trillion digital asset market. Chris Giancarlo, the former Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is known for his progressive approach to digital currencies and blockchain technologies.
Chris Giancarlo Leads Race for White House Crypto Czar Role Under Donald Trump
According to a Fox Business report, Chris Giancarlo is the top contender for the position of White House crypto czar, a role being considered by the Trump transition team to streamline crypto regulations and foster blockchain development.
As CFTC Chair from 2017 to 2019, Chris Giancarlo oversaw critical advancements in the digital asset space. This includes the launch of the first Bitcoin futures. He later co-founded the Digital Dollar Project, a nonprofit initiative exploring the potential of a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC). Giancarlo’s regulatory expertise and understanding of digital innovation position him as a key figure in shaping the future of the crypto sector.
The Trump administration aims to utilize this position to address industry concerns over the Biden administration’s perceived heavy-handed enforcement. The crypto czar would also collaborate with federal agencies to establish a framework for the $180 billion stablecoin market and enhance the overall regulatory landscape for blockchain and digital currencies.
Trump’s Strategic Approach to Digital Asset Policy
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed plans to make the U.S. a global leader in cryptocurrency and blockchain innovation. Part of this strategy includes appointing a crypto czar to advance policies to support the industry’s growth.
Trump has also proposed the establishment of a presidential crypto advisory council to address ongoing regulatory challenges. This initiative aims to align federal policies with industry needs, fostering a competitive environment for blockchain businesses. The council will explore the creation of a Bitcoin reserve as part of the administration’s broader crypto policy agenda.
The transition comes as current SEC Chair Gary Gensler announced his resignation effective January 20, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration. Gensler faced criticism during his tenure for his enforcement-driven approach to crypto regulations.
Amid speculation, Chris Giancarlo clarified that he is not pursuing the SEC Chair role. Giancarlo said in a recent statement,
“I’ve already cleaned up earlier Gary Gensler mess at the CFTC and don’t want to have to do it again.”
His focus remains on advancing crypto-friendly policies through a potential new role. According to the report, the “Crypto Dad” stated,
“I would be honored to be considered for the role.”
The creation of the crypto czar position could mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of U.S. crypto policy. With Chris Giancarlo leading the race, the industry anticipates advancements in crypto regulations under the new administration.
Ronny Mugendi
Ronny Mugendi is a seasoned crypto journalist with four years of professional experience, having contributed significantly to various media outlets on cryptocurrency trends and technologies. With over 4000 published articles across various media outlets, he aims to inform, educate and introduce more people to the Blockchain and DeFi world. Outside of his journalism career, Ronny enjoys the thrill of bike riding, exploring new trails and landscapes.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
- The UK will introduce unified crypto regulations, including stablecoins, in early 2025.
- New rules aim to simplify oversight and avoid restrictive staking classifications.
- Labour government aims to compete with EU’s MiCA rules and US pro-crypto policies.
The United Kingdom is set to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and crypto staking services in early 2025, marking a pivotal shift in its approach to digital assets.
The announcement was made by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq at City & Financial Global’s Tokenisation Summit in London on November 21.
Initially slated for December 2024, the regulatory rollout was delayed due to the change in government following the election of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour administration in July 2024.
The upcoming UK crypto regulatory framework
The upcoming framework consolidates regulations for crypto assets into a single, overarching regime, a decision Siddiq described as “simpler and more logical.”
The framework aims to provide clarity in a rapidly growing sector that has faced uncertainty in the UK.
Stablecoins will receive distinct treatment under these regulations, as their functionality does not align with existing payment services rules.
Siddiq highlighted that staking services would also avoid being designated as “collective investment schemes,” a classification that could impose burdensome restrictions.
UK aims to align with the global crypto regulatory landscape
The UK government’s renewed focus on digital asset regulation comes as it seeks to align with global developments. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations will be fully enforced by the end of 2024, offering regulatory certainty that has positioned Europe as an attractive market for the crypto industry.
Meanwhile, the US, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has adopted a markedly pro-crypto stance, including the establishment of a White House “crypto czar” and SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s planned departure in January 2024.
The Labour government has shown its intent to catch up with international competition. In September 2024, it introduced a bill recognizing NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and carbon credits as property.
The new regulatory push reflects the UK’s ambition to regain credibility as a crypto hub while addressing criticisms of the Financial Conduct Authority’s perceived stringent oversight.
By delivering a robust, streamlined framework, the Labour government aims to bolster the UK’s standing in the multibillion-dollar crypto industry.
In a recent development, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Gary Gensler will step down from his position next year. This follows calls for Gensler to resign since Donald Trump won the US presidential elections.
Gary Gensler To Step Down As US SEC Chair
The US SEC announced in a press release that Gary Gensler will depart the Agency on January 20, 2025. The US SEC Chair also confirmed this development in an X post. Interestingly, this comes on the same day that Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States.
Following the announcement, Gensler also used the opportunity to reflect on his time at the Commission. He remarked that it has been an “honor of a lifetime” to serve alongside those at the SEC. He also thanked President Biden for the opportunity to serve in the position. Gensler has been the US SEC Chair since April 2021. During his time, he has spearheaded several litigations against the crypto industry.
This includes the long-running legal battle with Ripple, which Gensler took over from his predecessor Jay Clayton, which bordered on whether XRP was a security. Up till now, the Agency continues to reiterate this ‘digital asset securities’ claim.
Boluwatife Adeyemi
Boluwatife Adeyemi is a well-experienced crypto news writer and editor who has covered topics that cut across DeFi, NFTs, smart contracts, and blockchain interoperability, among others. Boluwatife has a knack for simplifying the most technical concepts and making it easy for crypto newbies to understand. Away from writing, He is an avid basketball lover and a part-time degen.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
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