Connect with us

Regulation

Tigran Gambaryan Health Worsens, Binance Exec Denied Legal Access

Published

on


The family of Tigran Gambaryan, an U.S. citizen and executive at Binance, is urgently calling on the Nigerian government to release him from detention. They have sounded alarm rapidly deteriorating health conditions. Gambaryan has been held in Kuje Prison since February 26. At the time, he was taken into custody after a meeting with Nigerian authorities in Abuja.

Binance Exec Tigran Gambaryan’s Family Pleads For Release

Since July 26, Tigran Gambaryan’s legal team has been unable to visit him at Kuje Prison. This is a violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and Section 45 of the Nigerian Prisons Regulations. Moreover, this section mandates that “all prisoners, other than prisoners under sentence, shall be allowed all reasonable opportunities daily of communicating with their friends or legal adviser, and they may write and receive letters.”

The denial of access to his legal representatives has raised concerns about his right to a fair trial and his overall well-being. Furthermore, Tigran Gambaryan’s health has significantly declined during his time in detention. He suffers from a herniated disc, a condition that has worsened in custody and now requires highly specialized and risky surgery.

In addition to this, the Binance exec has endured multiple throat infections and pneumonia, which have necessitated further surgery to remove his tonsils. His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, has expressed deep concern over his deteriorating condition. She noted that he is now wheelchair-bound and mostly bedridden.

“My husband Tigran left our home for a work trip almost six months ago, and I have no idea when he will be back. Now his health is in a shockingly bad condition and getting worse by the day,” Yuki said in a heartfelt plea to the Nigerian government.

She added, “The herniated disc in his back has worsened to the point where it might leave permanent damage and affect his ability to walk. My once fit and healthy husband, who loves working out, is now wheelchair-bound due to a treatable condition that has not been properly addressed.”

Lack Of Medical Care

Tigran Gambaryan’s situation has been exacerbated by the lack of medical care available to him in prison. He is now taking blood thinners to prevent blood clots due to his prolonged bedridden state. Furthermore, his medical records are being held by the prison. This further complicating his access to proper care.

Previously, Gambaryan contracted malaria while in Nigerian detention. Moreover, he even collapsed in court during a hearing, underscoring the severity of his condition. Hence, Yuki’s emotional plea highlights the impact of Tigran’s detention on their family, particularly their two young children.

“I recently found our five-year-old son crying on the floor of our living room. ‘I miss my daddy’ was all he said. He cannot understand why his father has been gone for so long. I had no idea how to comfort him. It was simply devastating,” she said. Yuki added,

“Our ten-year-old daughter is trying her best to be strong in this traumatic situation we find ourselves in. Her resilience makes me proud and sad at the same time because this is not anything a child should endure.”

The Gambaryans reside in Georgia, USA, and Tigran last saw his family on February 24, just days before detainment. He was initially invited to Nigeria by the authorities for a meeting in Abuja. However, the circumstances leading to his prolonged detention remain unclear.

The Nigerian court went on holiday on July 16. Subsequently, it adjourned the next hearing in the Binance exec’s case to October 11. However, since the adjournment, the conditions of his detention have worsened significantly, raising alarms about his safety and well-being.

✓ Share:

Kritika Mehta

Kritika boasts over 2 years of experience in the financial news sector. Currently working as a crypto journalist at Coingape, she has consistently shown a knack for blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Kritika combines insightful analysis with a deep understanding of market trends. With a keen interest in technical analysis, she brings a nuanced perspective to her reporting, exploring the intersection of finance, technology, and emerging trends in the crypto space.

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.





Source link

Regulation

Coinbase CLO Debunks SEC Crypto Asset Security Claims Before Gensler Hearing

Published

on

By


Coinbase CLO Paul Grewal and Ripple CLO have challenged the SEC’s terminology of “crypto asset security,” a term increasingly used by the regulatory agency. His criticism comes at a time when the SEC is under pressure for coming up with this term yet there is no law in the United States that supports it.

The issue has gained much attention especially given that the SEC Chair, Gary Gensler and all the five SEC Commissioners are expected to appear before the House Financial Services Committee in a hearing.

Coinbase CLO Questions SEC’s Use of “Crypto Asset Security” 

Grewal posted on X to comment that the term “crypto asset security” is not uniform or well-established in the SEC enforcement measures. The Coinbase CLO also noted that the SEC has been inconsistent in its treatment of tokens as securities and as investment contracts in different legal contexts.

Such allegations come as Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Congressman, has made similar concerns earlier this month during a congressional hearing and challenged the SEC’sterminology.

The term ‘digital asset security’ or ‘crypto asset security’ is also not found in any law, regulation or Supreme Court judgement which adds to the criticism from the proponents of blockchain and lawmakers. Some of the legal scholars have also opined that the SEC made up the term without any statutory backing, including Daniel Gallagher, the Chief Legal Officer at Robinhood.

Ripple’s Legal Officer Joins the Criticism

Ripple CLO, Stuart Alderoty, also shared similar sentiments with the Coinbase CLO, saying that the SEC is taking advantage of the terminology used in the court. Alderoty noted that the SEC’s continued reference to “crypto asset security” in legal documents has begun to raise pushback.

For instance, the SEC recently apologized for using the term in the complaint against Binance, acknowledging that its use was misleading.

This critique comes at a time when Ripple is still in a legal tussle with the SEC over the status of XRP as a security. Alderoty argued that the SEC’s inconsistencies are eroding its capability to be convincing in the courts.

SEC Under Scrutiny Ahead of Congressional Testimony

Next week, all five SEC Commissioners, including Chair Gary Gensler, will testify before the House Financial Services Committee, which is the first time since 2019 when the whole commission will stand before Congress. This hearing comes in the backdrop of a growing sentiment among legislators and industry participants who have accused the SEC of having a hostile approach towards blockchain technology.

Some of the key concerns have been expressed by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Chairman Patrick McHenry regarding the SEC’s stance on regulating crypto airdrops that they consider crucial for decentralizing blockchain networks. Some of them directly accused the agency of brushing up the issues asserting that its regulation model inaptly fits the growing digital asset sector.

Apart from Coinbase CLO and Ripple CLO challenging the legal direction of the SEC, Gensler faces the probe over allegations of Illegal hiring at the company. This probe may complicate his upcoming hearings before the House Financial Services Committee where he is likely to face questions not only about the SEC’s stance to digital assets but also concerning the agency’s management.

✓ Share:

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.





Source link

Continue Reading

Regulation

Texas Court Dismisses Consensys Suit Against SEC on Procedural Basis

Published

on

By


The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas dismissed Consensys Software Inc.‘s case against the Securities and Exchange Commission. This was after a long legal battle to determine the status of Ethereum and other similar software products.

Texas Court Ends Consensys Suit Against SEC

The U.S. District Court in Fort Worth has thrown out the allegations made by Consensys against the Securities and Exchange Commission in a recent legal move. The court, presided over by Judge Reed O’Connor, ruled on procedural grounds. The judge determined the claims concerning Ethereum classification and the regulatory approach to MetaMask were not ripe for judicial review. This decision effectively puts an end to the current litigation initiated by Consensys in April of this year.

The dismissal focused particularly on the lack of final agency action from the SEC, which the court noted was a requisite for a substantial legal challenge. This procedural dismissal indicates that despite the issues raised, the court decided not to proceed with evaluating the merits of the case.

Legal Battle Over Ethereum and MetaMask

Initially, Consensys challenged the SEC’s classification of Ethereum and its derivatives as securities. The complaint highlighted concerns over the SEC’s focus on MetaMask, a software service provided by Consensys that facilitates crypto transactions and staking. 

Despite an earlier notification in June about the SEC dropping its investigation into Ethereum, the broader implications of this regulatory scrutiny remained a contentious issue.

Subsequent to the initial lawsuit, the SEC initiated a separate enforcement action in June, accusing Consensys of operating its MetaMask swaps service without proper registration. 

In addition, according to Judge O’Connor, this case lacked the necessary finality from the Securities and Exchange Commission side to be considered ready for court adjudication.

Reactions and Future Regulatory Steps

The court’s decision to dismiss on procedural grounds does not conclude the legal issues surrounding the regulation of Ethereum and other blockchain technologies. 

More so, Consensys has expressed its intention to continue advocating for blockchain developers and to challenge the SEC’s actions in other jurisdictions, indicating that the struggle over crypto regulation in the U.S. is far from over. The case’s dismissal in Texas does not preclude the blockchain company from pursuing other legal avenues to address their grievances.

In addition, most recently, a US Bankruptcy judge Brendan Shannon approved Terraform Labs plan to liquidate its assets following an ongoing SEC lawsuit.

✓ Share:

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. His work includes notable contributions to Cryptopolitan and Coingape News Media, where he shares his insights on the latest developments in the cryptocurrency market. 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.





Source link

Continue Reading

Regulation

UN Calls for Global AI Governance As Meta & OpenAI Face Challenges

Published

on

By


AI News: The United Nations has issued seven recommendations for reducing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) based on input from a UN advisory body. The final report of the council’s advisory body focuses on the importance of developing a unified approach to the regulation of AI and will be considered at a UN meeting scheduled for later this month.

AI News: UN Calls for Global AI Governance

The council of 39 experts noted that large multinational corporations have been able to dominate the development of AI technologies given the increasing rate of growth, which is a major concern. The panel stressed that there is an ‘unavoidable’ need for the governance of artificial intelligence on a global scale, since the creation and use of artificial intelligence cannot be solely attributed to market mechanisms.

According to the UN report, to counter the lack of information between the AI labs and the rest of the world, it is suggested that a panel should be formed to disseminate accurate and independent information on artificial intelligence.

The recommendations include the creation of a global AI fund to address the capacity and collaboration differences especially in the developing countries that cannot afford to use AI. The report also provides recommendations on how to establish a global artificial intelligencedata framework for the purpose of increasing transparency and accountability, and the establishment of a policy dialogue that would be aimed at addressing all the matters concerning the governance of artificial intelligence.

While the report did not propose a new International organization for the regulation, it pointed out that if risks associated with the new technology were to escalate then there may be the need for a more powerful global body with the mandate to enforce the regulation of the technology. The United Nation’s approach is different from that of some countries, including the United States, which has recently approved of ‘a blueprint for action’ to manage AI in military use – something China has not endorsed.

Calls for Regulatory Harmonization in Europe

Concurrent with the AI news, leaders, including Yann LeCun, Meta’s Chief AI Scientist and many CEOs and academics from Europe, have demanded to know how the regulation will work in Europe. In an open letter, they stated that the EU has the potential to reap the economic benefits of AI if the rules do not hinder the freedom of research and ethical implementation of AI.

Meta’s upcoming multimodal artificial intelligence model, Llama, will not be released in the EU due to regulatory restrictions, which shows the conflict between innovation and regulation.

The open letter argues that excessively stringent rules can hinder the EU’s ability to advance in the field, and calls on the policymakers to implement the measures that will allow for the development of a robust artificial intelligence industry while addressing the risks. The letter emphasizes the need for coherent laws that can foster the advancement of AI while not hindering its growth like the warning on Apple iPhone OS as reported by CoinGape.

OpenAI Restructures Safety Oversight Amid Criticism

In addition, there are concerns about how OpenAI has positioned itself where the principles of safety and regulation of AI are concerned. As a result of the criticism from the US politicians and the former employees, the CEO of the company, Sam Altman, stepped down from the company’s Safety and Security Committee. 

This committee was formed in the first place to monitor the safety of the artificial intelligence technology and has now been reshaped into an independent authority that can hold back on new model releases until safety risks are addressed.

The new oversight group comprises individuals like Nicole Seligman, former US Army General Paul Nakasone, and Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, whose role is to ensure that the safety measures put in place by OpenAI are in line with the organization’s objectives. This United Nations AI news comes at the heels of allegations of internal strife, with former researchers claiming that OpenAI is more focused on profit-making than actual artificial intelligence governance.

✓ Share:

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.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 coin2049.io