Market
How USDT Fueled $11 Billion Cyber Scams
Elliptic researchers highlighted the involvement of Tether’s USDT stablecoin in billions’ worth of illicit trades on the Huione Guarantee marketplace.
Different merchants manage a widespread Chinese-language network with numerous fraudulent app channels.
Huione Guarantee Exposed for Over $11 Billion in Cyber Scam
Huione Guarantee, affiliated with Cambodia’s Huione Group, emerged as a promising marketplace for real estate and cars in 2021. However, beneath a façade of legitimacy, Elliptic researchers discovered fraudulent activity. The platform provided “deposit and escrow services” to ensure transaction security.
“A new investigation from the Elliptic research team sheds light on online marketplace Huione Guarantee. The platform is widely used by scam operators in South East Asia, including those involved in pig butchering scams,” part of the report read.
With payments primarily made in USDT stablecoin, Elliptic researchers discovered over $11 billion in transactions processed since the platform’s debut. Out of these, $3.4 billion accounts for 2024.
Elliptic researchers analyzed listings on the platform, engaged with sellers, and tracked funds across Tether’s blockchain sent to those sellers’ addresses. This enabled them to identify and label hundreds of cryptocurrency addresses linked to the Huione Guarantee.
Read more: Crypto Scam Projects: How To Spot Fake Tokens
Notably, not all transactions conclusively point to illegal activities. However, overwhelming evidence suggests the platform’s cognizance of illicit businesses on its marketplace, as third-party merchants openly advertise money laundering services.
The services include cross-border transfers and currency conversions to cash, stablecoins, and Chinese payment app transfers. The merchants also specify different fraud and proceeds handling forms, suggesting their awareness of the risks involved.
“I’m not sure whether Huione Guarantee was originally established with this in mind. However, it has certainly become primarily a marketplace for online scammers,” Elliptic’s cofounder and chief scientist Tom Robinson said in the report.
While Huione is not the only marketplace propagating online crypto scams, according to Elliptic, none are this big. The Huione Group is a Cambodian conglomerate business associated with Cambodia’s ruling Hun family,” including Prime Minister Hun Manet. The firm did not immediately respond to BeInCrypto’s request for comment.
Huione and USDT Stablecoin Involvement in Underground Economy
In December 2023, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported the USDT stablecoin’s enabling role in the underground Chinese-linked economy of Cambodia. Among the cited activities was evading capital controls for Chinese nationals by using it as an exchange device to acquire tools to facilitate online scams.
The SCMP cited Huione Pay, a Cambodia-approved financial platform, revealing that it hosted multiple Telegram groups offering exchange services for cryptocurrency assets, including USDT. According to the investigation, the groups provide tools that enable scam operations involving international SIM cards and data on Chinese expat citizens.
Telegram group operators also marketed bank cards to receive money from scam victims. They also advertised services like criminal background checks, company records, and bank statements, accepting USDT for their services.
This is not the first time USDT stablecoin has been used to facilitate money laundering. In January, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted its use as a medium for illicit activities.
Read more: Crypto Social Media Scams: How to Stay Safe
Cambodia has banned cryptocurrency since 2017. In 2022, Binance committed to aiding Cambodia, located in Mainland Southeast Asia, in developing digital asset regulations. Under the terms, Binance rendered its technical expertise and experience in the field to help Cambodia’s Securities and Exchange Regulator (SERC) develop its legal framework for the digital asset market.
These discoveries highlight the need for increased scrutiny and regulation of online marketplaces and social media platforms to prevent the propagation of illicit activities. Tether continues to improve its compliance push, recently freezing funds in addresses featured on the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
GOAT Price Sees Slower Growth After Reaching $1B Market Cap
GOAT price has skyrocketed 214.29% in one month, recently breaking into the $1 billion market cap and securing its place as the 10th largest meme coin. It now stands just ahead of MOG, which closely trails its position in the rankings.
However, recent indicators suggest that GOAT’s uptrend may be weakening, raising questions about whether it can sustain its rally or face a potential correction.
GOAT BBTrend Is Negative For The First Time In 4 Days
GOAT BBTrend has turned negative for the first time since November 17, now sitting at -0.54. This shift suggests that bearish momentum is beginning to take hold, with the asset’s recent upward trajectory starting to weaken potentially.
BBTrend measures the strength and direction of price trends using Bollinger Bands, with positive values indicating an uptrend and negative values signaling a downtrend. A negative BBTrend reflects increased downward pressure, which could indicate the start of a broader market shift.
GOAT has had an impressive November, gaining 61% and reaching a new all-time high on November 17.
However, the current negative BBTrend, if it persists and grows, could signal the potential for further bearish momentum.
GOAT Is In A Neutral Zone
GOAT’s RSI has dropped to 52, down from over 70 a few days ago when it reached its all-time high. This decline indicates that buying momentum has cooled off, and the market has moved out of the overbought zone.
The drop suggests a shift toward a more neutral sentiment as traders consolidate gains and the strong bullish pressure seen earlier subsides.
RSI measures the strength and velocity of price changes, with values above 70 indicating overbought conditions and below 30 signaling oversold levels. At 52, GOAT’s RSI is in a neutral zone, neither signaling strong bullish nor bearish momentum.
This could mean the current uptrend is losing strength, and the price may consolidate or move sideways unless renewed buying pressure reignites upward momentum.
GOAT Price Prediction: A New Surge Until $1.50?
If GOAT current uptrend regains strength, it could retest its all-time high of $1.37, establishing its market cap above $1 billion, a fundamental threshold for being among the biggest meme coins in the market today.
Breaking above this level could pave the way for further gains, potentially reaching the next thresholds at $1.40 or even $1.50, signaling renewed bullish momentum and market confidence.
However, as shown by indicators like RSI and BBTrend, the uptrend may be losing steam. If a downtrend emerges, GOAT price could test its nearest support zones at $0.80 and $0.69.
Should these levels fail to hold, the price could fall further, potentially reaching $0.419, putting its position in the top 10 ranking of biggest meme coins at risk.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Ripple (XRP) Price Hits 109% Monthly Gain as Indicators Weaken
Ripple (XRP) price has experienced a significant rally, rising 51.33% in the last seven days and an impressive 109.09% over the past month. This strong momentum has propelled XRP into a bullish phase, with key indicators like EMA lines supporting its upward trajectory.
However, signs of weakening momentum, such as a declining RSI and negative CMF, suggest that caution may be warranted. Whether XRP continues to push higher or faces a steep correction will depend on how the market reacts to these shifting dynamics.
XRP RSI Is Below The Overbought Zone
XRP’s RSI has dropped to 60 after nearly hitting 90 on November 16 and staying above 70 between November 15 and November 17.
This decline indicates that Ripple has moved out of the overbought zone, where intense buying pressure previously drove its price higher. The drop suggests that the market is cooling off, with traders potentially taking profits after the strong rally.
The RSI measures the speed and magnitude of price changes, with values above 70 indicating overbought conditions and below 30 signaling oversold levels. At 60, XRP’s RSI reflects a still-positive momentum but shows a more balanced sentiment compared to the previous surge.
While the uptrend remains intact, the lower RSI could indicate a slower pace of gains, with the possibility of consolidation as the market stabilizes. If buying pressure returns, XRP price could extend its upward movement, but a further decline in RSI might signal a weakening bullish momentum.
Ripple CMF Is Now Negative After Staying Positive For 14 Days
XRP Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is currently at -0.12, after showing positive levels between November 5 and November 19. That is also its lowest level since October 31. This shift into negative territory reflects increased selling pressure and a potential outflow of capital from the asset.
The transition from positive CMF values earlier this month signals a weakening in bullish momentum as more market participants reduce exposure to Ripple.
The CMF measures the volume and flow of money into or out of an asset, with positive values indicating capital inflow (bullish) and negative values showing capital outflow (bearish).
XRP’s CMF at -0.12 suggests that bearish sentiment is beginning to gain traction, potentially putting pressure on its price despite the recent uptrend. If the CMF remains negative or declines further, it could indicate sustained selling pressure, challenging Ripple’s ability to continue its upward movement.
Ripple Price Prediction: Biggest Price Since 2021?
XRP’s EMA lines currently display a bullish setup, with short-term lines positioned above the long-term lines and the price trading above all of them.
However, the narrowing distance between the price and some of these lines suggests a potential slowdown in bullish momentum. This could signal that the uptrend is weakening, leaving XRP price vulnerable to a shift in market sentiment.
If a downtrend emerges, as indicated by the weakening RSI and negative CMF, Ripple price could face significant pressure and potentially drop to its support at $0.49, representing a substantial 56% correction.
On the other hand, if the uptrend regains strength, XRP could climb to test the $1.27 level and potentially break through to $1.30, which would mark its highest price since May 2021.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Trump Media Files Trademark for Crypto Platform TruthFi
Trump Media & Technology Group is exploring the development of a crypto payment platform, as revealed by a recent trademark filing.
The application, submitted by Donald Trump’s social media company on Monday, outlines plans for a service named TruthFi. The proposed platform aims to offer crypto payments, financial custody, and digital asset trading.
Following the trademark announcement, Trump Media’s stock rose approximately 2%. At the time of writing, the stock was trading at $30.44, up by nearly 75% this year.
However, details about TruthFi remain scarce, including its timeline or operational specifics. This initiative suggests an effort by Trump Media to expand its business model beyond Truth Social.
The social media platform was established back in 2022, after Trump was banned from Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Nevertheless, launching a large-scale cryptocurrency platform could require Trump Media to acquire additional resources or partner with an established firm. This is because the firm currently has a small workforce of less than 40 employees.
“The filing, made with the USPTO on Monday, indicates that Trump Media plans to offer: Digital wallets, Cryptocurrency payment processing services, and A digital asset trading platform,” US Trademark Attorney Josh Gerben wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
As reported by BeInCrypto earlier, Trump Media is also in discussions to purchase the b2b crypto trading platform Bakkt. Shares in Bakkt surged by nearly 140% since the news earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the President-elect’s crypto plans seem to be in full swing even before he takes office in January. He is also reportedly considering the first-ever crypto advisor role for the White House, and interviewing several potential candidates.
Earlier today, the current SEC chair Gary Gensler announced his resignation before Trump’s term begins. Gensler’s resignation boosted the crypto market, as it signals a major change in the SEC’s regulatory stance.
Notably, XRP surged 7% to its highest value in three years. Bitcoin also neared $99,000, as the overall crypto market cap reached $3.4 trillion.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
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