Regulation
Bybit Lacks Approval for Digital Asset Services in France, AMF Warns
Bybit, a cryptocurrency exchange, has recently come under scrutiny in France due to regulatory challenges. Despite achieving a milestone of 20 million users globally after five years of operation.
France’s AMF Flags Bybit’s Unauthorized Status
The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), France’s financial regulatory body, recently issued a reminder to retail investors regarding Bybit’s unauthorized status in the region. This follows a blacklist action taken two years prior, highlighting the exchange’s ongoing struggles with French regulatory compliance. The AMF’s warning emphasizes the legal requirement for digital asset service providers (DASPs) to register before operating within France, a criterion Bybit has yet to meet.
Bybit responded by noting its previous decision to exit the French market in October 2023, affirming its intention to comply with local laws. The exchange also mentioned ongoing discussions with the AMF to seek necessary licensing, underscoring its commitment to regulatory adherence. However, the lack of a formal registration labels its operations as illegal under French law, with potential legal actions threatened by the AMF to block Bybit’s access within France.
The AMF is focused on maintaining public order and safeguarding investors through stringent regulations. These include preventing money laundering and terrorist financing, assessing the competence and integrity of company directors, and implementing measures to protect retail investors. By not registering as a DASP, Bybit violates these standards, risking legal repercussions and loss of market trust.
The AMF urges investors to use Bybit to prepare for any sudden service disruptions, reflecting the precarious nature of unregistered digital asset services. The regulatory body also advises investors to refer to its whitelist of registered DASPs, available on its official website, before engaging in cryptocurrency investments. This proactive approach by the AMF underscores its commitment to investor safety in the volatile crypto market.
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Bybit Enhances Security, Adds Google Pay
Despite the regulatory challenges in France and Hong Kong, where the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has also issued warnings, Bybit continues to innovate and expand elsewhere. The launch of Bybit P2P Shield aims to enhance security and trust in its peer-to-peer trading platform, addressing user concerns about transaction safety.
Furthermore, Bybit has streamlined the process of acquiring digital assets by integrating Google Pay into its platform, reflecting a shift towards more user-friendly cryptocurrency transactions. These developments indicate Bybit’s commitment to improving customer experience and security, even as it navigates complex regulatory landscapes across various global markets.
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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.
In a court hearing in Abuja, Nigerian authorities intensified their legal battle against the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Central Bank officials testified that Binance operated without a license, which aligns with allegations of facilitating illegal transactions on its platform.
Binance Accused of Unlicensed Operations in Nigeria
Olubukola Akinwunmi, a key figure from Nigeria’s central bank, claimed Binance had no authority to enable cryptocurrency trades in Nigeria. The lack of a formal license emerged as a significant point during the court proceedings. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission leveraged this point, underscoring potential legal violations by Binance.
Akinwunmi explained that Binance’s services equated to a money brokerage requiring specific regulatory approval. He highlighted the peer-to-peer platform’s ability to exchange naira for other fiat currencies. Such operations typically necessitate central bank authorization as a recognized exchange or a bureau de change.
Moreover, the central bank official criticized Binance for allowing pseudonymous trading on its platform. Despite Binance’s stringent identity verification measures for Nigerian users, these practices have been questioned. Binance mandates local banking details and government-issued IDs for Nigerian traders.
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Gambaryan’s Health Ignored by Nigerian Officials
Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s US-based compliance executive, faces charges alongside the firm. Since his arrest in February, Gambaryan has been held at Kuje Prison and has encountered severe health issues, including malaria and pneumonia. His condition worsened, leading to a collapse at the trial’s outset in May.
Despite a judicial order for medical attention, prison officials delayed compliance, only conducting tests weeks later. The results have not been disclosed to Gambaryan’s defense team. This neglect sparked criticism from Justice Emeka Nwite, who admonished the prosecution and prison authorities for disregarding his directives.
Justice Nwite warned of consequences if the medical reports are not presented by the next court date, set for July 16. Meanwhile, prison officials have dismissed allegations of mistreatment, asserting that Gambaryan is not in a severe health condition. The ongoing trial has drawn attention to the broader implications of cryptocurrency regulation in Nigeria.
Following these legal challenges, Binance ceased its operations for Nigerian users, affecting an estimated 13 million customers. The sudden withdrawal has left many seeking alternative trading platforms.
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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.
New allegations have surfaced surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the founder of the now-collapsed crypto exchange FTX. SBF’s family is now accused of being involved in a $100 million illicit political donation scheme. Moreover, these claims can lead to intense legal trouble for the accused.
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Family Accused Of Illegal Political Donation
Emails disclosed by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) have brought to light the extensive involvement of SBF’s family in orchestrating these political contributions. Furthermore, an important point to note is that these donations were allegedly funded by misappropriated FTX customer assets.
Prosecutors asserted that Bankman-Fried orchestrated a sprawling influence campaign ahead of the 2022 election, leveraging stolen customer funds to the tune of over $100 million. The newly revealed emails suggest that key family members played pivotal roles in the scheme. These include SBF’s parents, Joe Bankman and Barbara Fried, along with his brother, Gabriel Bankman-Fried. They managed these funds and directed donations to various political causes and candidates.
Moreover, Joe Bankman, a Stanford University law professor, is accused of advising on financial strategies to facilitate these political donations. The WSJ reports that emails show Joe Bankman’s direct involvement in the illicit operations, indicating he was well aware of the illegal straw-donor scheme.
Barbara Fried, who co-founded the political action committee (PAC) Mind the Gap, allegedly used her position to channel funds towards progressive groups and initiatives. Meanwhile, Gabriel Bankman-Fried is accused of directing donations to pandemic prevention efforts. This coordinated effort to disperse funds across the political spectrum aimed to amplify their influence and support favored causes without drawing attention to the origin of the donations.
Also Read: Fmr Obama Solicitor Says Regulators Are “Deliberately Debanking Crypto”
Former FTX Execs Also Involved
David Mason, ex-chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FCE), weighed in on the matter. Mason highlighted that the evidence presented in the emails constituted “strong evidence” of Joe Bankman’s knowledge and participation in the scheme.
The political donation scheme, as detailed by the WSJ, also involved Ryan Salame and Nishad Singh, two former FTX executives. They have already pleaded guilty to participating in the illegal straw-donor scheme. According to prosecutors, Salame directed funds to Republican candidates to dissociate the contributions from Bankman-Fried, while Singh supported liberal candidates.
The allegations have led to several legal proceedings, with the potential for significant legal liabilities for those involved. Moreover, Mason’s remarks underscore the gravity of the situation. It suggests that Joe Bankman could face direct legal consequences under campaign finance laws if the allegations are substantiated.
Despite the mounting evidence, a spokesperson for Joe Bankman has refuted claims of his involvement. They stated that Bankman had “no knowledge of any alleged campaign finance violations.” This defense, however, stands in stark contrast to the detailed emails that have surfaced.
Also Read: Just-In: Mt. Gox Starts Repaying Creditors, Bitcoin To Dip Further?
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.
In a notable legal confrontation, OpenAI has requested that the New York Times (NYT) validate the originality of its articles. The AI firm demands the court mandate NYT disclose detailed source materials for each copyrighted article. This move is part of an ongoing lawsuit in which the NYT accuses OpenAI of using its content without permission.
OpenAI Requests Transparency from NYT
OpenAI’s legal team has approached a New York court with a significant demand. They insist that the NYT provide comprehensive details about the creation process of its articles. The request includes access to the reporter’s notes, interview records, and other source materials. OpenAI argues that this information is crucial to determine the originality and authorship of the articles in question.
The court filing by OpenAI aims to explore the depth and authenticity of the NYT’s journalistic process. Their lawyers argue that the NYT’s claim of substantial investment in high-quality journalism prompts a need for transparency. They believe understanding the creation process is essential for the court to make a fair judgment.
OpenAI argues that such disclosure is necessary for its defense. Detailed insight into the NYT’s authorship process will help ascertain whether the articles are original works. The NYT made this request following allegations that OpenAI unauthorizedly used its content to train AI models.
Also Read: German Lawmaker Wants Government To HODL Bitcoin (BTC), Not Sell
NYT Fights Back on Copyright Infringement
Responding swiftly, the NYT’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss OpenAI’s request on July 3. They argue that OpenAI’s demands are excessive and could set a troubling precedent for copyright law. The NYT contends that the intricacies of their journalistic practices are irrelevant to the issue of copyright infringement.
The NYT’s opposition stresses that the request undermines the basic principles of copyright law. They believe that proving the content creation process does not pertain to the alleged misuse. The NYT’s lawyers highlight that the focus should remain whether OpenAI used the copyrighted articles without authorization.
Furthermore, the NYT accuses OpenAI of attempting to divert the court’s attention from the real issue at hand. They maintain that the lawsuit should concentrate on the legality of OpenAI’s use of the NYT’s copyrighted content. The newspaper defends its rights to its intellectual property, arguing that the creation process should remain protected.
Also Read: Core Scientific Founder Claims Bitcoin’s True Value Not Yet Realized
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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