Regulation
Bitcoin Fog Founder Sentenced To 12.5 Years for $400M Crypto Laundering Scheme
Bitcoin Fog founder Roman Sterlingov has been sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for operating a major cryptocurrency mixing service that laundered over $400 million in criminal proceeds.
The Washington federal court ruling was handed down by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, who also ordered the forfeiture of $395 million in assets, including seized cryptocurrency and Sterlingov’s interest in a Bitcoin wallet with over $103 million in Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Fog Founder Sentenced To 12.5 Years
Roman Sterlingov, a Russian-Swiss national, was convicted of multiple charges related to operating Bitcoin Fog, a cryptocurrency “mixer” that obscured the origins of digital currency transactions. The prosecution stated that Bitcoin Fog was a convenient way for criminals to launder the money obtained from criminal activities, including those related to narcotics on the darknet markets.
After a jury trial in March, Sterlingov was found guilty of conspiring to launder money, money laundering, and operating an unregistered money transmitting business.
Bitcoin Fog allowed users to combine or “mix” digital assets, making it harder to trace individual transactions. Prosecutors said that Sterlingov’s service functioned for approximately ten years and had aimed to enable untraceable transactions to support money laundering activities on an extensive scale.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri said that Roman Sterlingov “laundered over $400 million in criminal proceeds through Bitcoin Fog” and noted that the sentence demonstrates the Justice Department’s efforts to prosecute those who facilitate criminal conduct.
Judge Considers Deterrence in Sentencing
Judge Randolph Moss imposed a 12.5-year sentence, which was substantially less than the 30 years requested by the prosecution for the Bitcoin Fog founder. Prosecutors had argued for a severe penalty due to the prolonged and extensive nature of the scheme. “This is criminal activity of a staggering scale over a prolonged period of time,” said prosecutor Christopher Brown.
Nonetheless, Judge Moss said that a life sentence is excessive given the offense, although he emphasized the need for a significant deterrent in the cryptocurrency sector given that it is often difficult to follow the funds.
Roman Sterlingov said during the sentencing hearing, “I am sorry for any harm that may have come from my actions.” The defense had requested the judge to impose a maximum of 7.5 years saying there was no direct proof of Sterlingov contributing to the running of the Bitcoin Fog. Concurrently, Sterlingov’s attorney, Tor Ekeland, argued that there were no service logs or eyewitness statements that would have placed his client in control of the mixing service.
Recent Sentences In The Crypto Industry
The sentencing of Sterlingov comes amid scrutiny of the crypto industry, as other high-profile cases involving fraud and money laundering unfold.
Recently, Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research, received a two-year prison sentence for her role in the FTX fraud, which defrauded investors out of billions.
In that case, key witnesses, including Ellison and former FTX engineer Nishad Singh, received lighter sentences or avoided prison time by cooperating with prosecutors against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
Kelvin Munene Murithi
Kelvin is a distinguished writer with expertise in crypto and finance, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science. Known for his incisive analysis and insightful content, he possesses a strong command of English and excels in conducting thorough research and delivering timely cryptocurrency market updates.
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.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its recent investigation into Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction market platform. Armstrong expressed frustration on social media, suggesting that the DOJ’s actions are politically motivated and could inadvertently strengthen Polymarket’s influence.
The ongoing probe, which involved a search of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan’s devices, has sparked widespread debate in the cryptocurrency and technology sectors.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Criticizes DOJ
In a post on X (formely Twitter), the Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, has given his two cents on the Polymarket probe. Amid an FBI raid, Polymarket is said to have violated the terms of its earlier settlements with U.S. regulators by permitting U.S.-based users to place bets, the DOJ probe of the platform suggests.
A 2022 consent order with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) limited Polymarket’s access to US-based traders and the company paid a $1.4 million penalty. But latest findings suggest that US users might still be using the platform hence raising compliance issues.
The probe has picked up pace after a surge in election-related trades on Polymarket particularly those in favour of Donald Trump’s re-election. Critics, however, despite the Coinbase CEO comments, have expressed fears that such big bets can manipulate the general opinion.
Polymarket has however said it takes steps to ensure that its services are not used by those based in the United States, but the DoJ’s investigation indicates that the company remains concerned about potential violations.
Polymarket Denies Political Motivations, Defends Its Operations
In reaction to the DOJ’s actions, Polymarket has come forward to explain that its platform is a tool that aids people in gaining information about the world, including elections.
The company called the DOJ’s actions politically motivated and said that the company would fight for “itself and its community.” Polymarket’s CEO Shayne Coplan commented on the matter stating that it was a disappointing “last-ditch effort” by the current administration to go after companies they feel are linked to political opponents.
He highlighted that Polymarket does not take sides, saying that regulators should instead concentrate on creating a favorable climate for business and startups.
“Polymarket has helped hundreds of millions of people during this election cycle and has not hurt anyone,” Coplan said in a tweet.
The management of Polymarket also emphasized the openness of the platform and the unwillingingness to violate current legislation. Since the CFTC settlement, the company has put in place further measures to check the location of users and to limit the access of suspected US participants.
French Regulators Also Scrutinize Operations
However, there are more regulatory concerns for Polymarket than just the US ones. In France, the country’s gambling regulator, the ANJ, is reportedly mulling over the possibilities of banning Polymarket due to unlicensed gambling services. The French authorities have taken notice of the company after recording a surge in the number of bets placed during the US presidential election.
In particular, the response of Coinbase CEO, to the DOJ investigation has been popular among the cryptocurrency community who consider the probe as a threat to free speech.
Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko also came out in support of Polymarket, saying that data markets are a form of “political speech” covered by the First Amendment. This view is supported by a number of crypto industry executives who claim that banning platforms like Polymarket hampers people’s ability to discuss political events.
Kelvin Munene Murithi
Kelvin is a distinguished writer with expertise in crypto and finance, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science. Known for his incisive analysis and insightful content, he possesses a strong command of English and excels in conducting thorough research and delivering timely cryptocurrency market updates.
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.
Pro-crypto Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has been nominated by US President Donald Trump to serve as the Attorney General of the United States. Gaetz, a Republican representative known for his strong stance on justice reform and cryptocurrency advocacy, has garnered attention in recent years for his outspoken views on federal oversight and digital currency policies.
Donald Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz underscores his commitment to reshaping the Department of Justice (DOJ) and pushing back against what he calls “weaponized government.”
Matt Gaetz Nominated As Donald Trump’s Attorney General
In a statement, US President Donald Trump described Gaetz as a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney who has dedicated his efforts in Congress to the reform of the Department of Justice. Gaetz has been outspoken in his efforts to reduce what he perceives to be political motivations within the Justice Department and has accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the justice system.
If confirmed, Gaetz will focus on rebuilding the reputation of the DOJ and restoring its credibility by ensuring the department is more transparent and acts within the law.
President Trump noted that Florida Congressman, Gaetz has been focusing on justice issues while serving in the House Judiciary Committee and overseeing the DOJ. Trump called Gaetz a champion for the Constitution who will ensure the rule of law while working to introduce the changes that are needed.
Advocacy for Cryptocurrency and Blockchain in Government
In addition to his stance on DOJ reform, Matt Gaetz has recently emerged as an advocate for cryptocurrency, proposing legislation to allow federal income taxes to be paid with Bitcoin. His bill was submitted in June and seeks to modify the Internal Revenue Code to allow the U.S. Treasury to accept Bitcoin as a form of tax payment.
In Gaetz’s opinion, this could ‘lead to more innovation, better efficiencies, and provide more options for Americans.’
The bill would mandate the Treasury secretary to come up with rules for the processing of Bitcoin payments for specific federal taxes. The law outlines that any Bitcoin received would be converted into US dollar as soon as the payment is made.
His actions are in line with recent trends promoted by Trump to encourage the use of cryptocurrencies and reduce the level of restrictions on the activities of crypto companies.
Trump’s Pro-Crypto Agenda Gains Momentum
Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz nomination is part of a wider trend within Trump’s insider circle of supporting cryptocurrency within the United States. Trump has earlier vowed to put an end to Biden’s war on crypto and make cryptocurrencies an essential part of the US economy. To this end, Trump has proposed filling key posts in his administration with crypto supporters, as well as working on the creation of conditions under which the crypto business will be more comfortable.
More pro-crypto figures are said to be under consideration for positions in Trump’s transition team including Howard Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald as a potential treasury secretary. Crypto advocates see these appointments as an opportunity to end regulatory crackdowns on the industry and establish the U.S. as a global leader in digital finance.
Concurrently, Donald Trump has created a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to be led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Kelvin Munene Murithi
Kelvin is a distinguished writer with expertise in crypto and finance, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science. Known for his incisive analysis and insightful content, he possesses a strong command of English and excels in conducting thorough research and delivering timely cryptocurrency market updates.
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.
Gary Gensler, the current Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has recently come under renewed scrutiny. Former SEC official John Reed Stark publicly suggested that Gensler should step down to allow for a new direction regarding cryptocurrency regulation. Stark’s comments follow Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory, with some analysts speculating that a leadership change may soon take place.
Ex-SEC Official John Reed Stark Calls for Gensler’s Resignation
John Reed Stark, who formerly served with the SEC, has urged Chair Gary Gensler to resign. The former SEC official emphasized the need to halt ongoing crypto-related investigations and policy initiatives. Stark proposed that SEC staff compile a comprehensive list of all active cryptocurrency cases to ease the transition for any incoming chair.
This recommendation aligns with a perceived shift in public sentiment regarding regulatory practices, John Reed Stark added,
“Like it or not, the people have spoken and their will must be respected.”
Stark’s statement comes amid heightened debate over the SEC’s stance on digital assets. Over the past few years, the agency has implemented stringent measures on various cryptocurrency entities and has frequently engaged in litigation to enforce compliance. Stark’s call reflects a growing sentiment among industry stakeholders who seek a balanced regulation approach under new leadership.
Will Gary Gensler Resign This Week? Who’s Next Chair?
In light of the recent concerns, XRP attorney James Murphy has also predicted that Gary Gensler may step down soon. Murphy pointed out a historical pattern where SEC chairs often resign following a new presidential administration. For instance, Mary Jo White’s departure in 2016 after Trump’s first election and Jay Clayton’s exit in 2020 after Biden’s win.
Murphy’s observations suggest that Gary Gensler may follow suit as the new administration begins.
Richard Farley, a Wall Street lawyer with extensive experience in finance, has emerged as a potential candidate for SEC Chair under the incoming administration. Farley is known for his work with financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and UBS. More so, his legal expertise aligns with a potential shift towards a more crypto-friendly SEC. Farley’s appointment would signal a policy shift, with a likely emphasis on fostering balanced approach to crypto regulation.
This potential appointment underscores Trump’s intention to take a different approach to digital assets.
In addition, as Trump assembles his new administration, insiders reveal that the President-elect is inclined to let Jerome Powell complete his term as Federal Reserve Chair, which runs until May 2026. Although Trump has previously criticized Powell, his decision to retain Powell would ensure continuity in monetary policy.
In recent reports, another pro-crypto figure, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnick, is considered a leading candidate for the role of U.S. Treasury Secretary under President-elect Donald Trump. Known for his support of Tether, Lutnick is actively lobbying for the position, intensifying speculation about Trump’s pro-Bitcoin 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.
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