Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin Fog Operator Declared Guilty of Money Laundering, Faces Up to 50 Years in Prison
Following his arrest nearly three years ago, a Jury in a US federal district court found Roman Sterlingov, operator of the crypto mixer Bitcoin Fog, guilty of a four-count charge regarding money laundering.
The founder of Bitcoin Fog faces up to a maximum of 50 years in prison for all his charges.
Sterlingov Convicted
According to a press release on March 12, the jury declared Roman Sterlingov guilty of money laundering conspiracy and sting money laundering. The 35-year-old Russian-Swedish Bitcoin Fog founder was also found guilty of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting venture and violations of the D.C. Money Transmitters Act.
While Sterlingov’s sentencing has been scheduled for July 15, 2024, the first two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, while the last two charges have a maximum prison sentence of five years each.
Bitcoin Fog, which operated for a decade between 2011 and 2021, served as a money laundering tool for criminals looking to obfuscate their ill-gotten money. The crypto mixer moved over 1.2 million Bitcoin throughout its operation, which was worth close to $400 million at the time and is valued at $88 billion at BTC’s current price.
As stated in the press release, most of the Bitcoin was gotten from darknet marketplaces linked to computer fraud, illegal narcotics, and identity theft. The mixer also serviced people who supplied child sexual abuse material.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin Fog’s biggest clients, according to the government, were dark web markets such as Silk Road, AlphaBay, and Agora.
Commenting on the latest development, US Attorney of the District of Columbia, Matthew Graves, said:
“Darknet criminals should know by now that operations like Bitcoin Fog cannot provide the anonymity for cryptocurrency transactions that they claim they can. This conviction demonstrates that the United States can and will combat the use of technology to carry out crimes in cyberspace.”
Apart from the guilty verdict, the jury granted forfeiture of assets previously seized by law enforcement, which include 1,354 BTC held in a Bitcoin Fog wallet, $349,625, and other crypto assets in seized accounts on the cryptocurrency exchange Kraken.
Sterlingov’s Lawyer Seeks to Reverse Guilty Verdict
Meanwhile, Tor Ekeland, the lawyer representing Sterlingov, said that they would appeal against the jury’s guilty verdict. During Sterlingov’s trial, Ekeland argued that there was no evidence pointing to the fact that his client operated Bitcoin Fog.
Sterlingov, who was arrested in April 2021, said in his testimony said that he did not remember if he created the domain name for the crypto mixer, and was doubtful that he was behind the creation.
Guilty verdict in U.S v. Sterlingov. Now we appeal.
— Tor Ekeland (@TorEkelandPLLC) March 12, 2024
US prosecutors brought in Ilya Lichtenstein and Larry Harmon to testify in the trial. Lichtenstein previously pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy charge in 2022 in connection to his hack of Bitfinex in 2016 and theft of funds. Harmon, owner of Bitcoin mixer Helix, also pleaded guilty to money laundering in 2021.
Lichtenstein, testifying in the trial, said that he used mixers such as Bitcoin Fog to obfuscate the stolen funds, but he stated that Sterlingov’s crypto mixing service was not his main tool for money laundering.
Crypto mixing services continue to come under intense scrutiny from US authorities, which believe that such services serve as a useful tool for criminals. One prominent crypto mixer, Tornado Cash, was sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury in 2022.
Tornado Cash allegedly helped to launder proceeds of cybercrimes for malicious actors such as Lazarus Group. Developers Roman Semenov and Roman Storm are facing charges ranging from money laundering to violations of sanctions, to which Storm pleaded not guilty. Semenov, however, is currently at large.
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Cryptocurrency
Eve Wealth Announces Inaugural Summit to Elevate Women and Allies in Digital Assets, Blockchain, and Web3
[PRESS RELEASE – Seattle, United States, January 9th, 2025]
Eve Wealth has announced the inaugural Eve Wealth Summit, an innovative event designed to bring together 250 senior women and allies across digital asset investing, blockchain technology, and Web3. The summit will take place in the stunning coastal setting of Laguna Beach, CA, at the Ritz Carlton in March 2025.
This invitation-only event is the realization of a long-held vision to empower women leaders and their allies to shape the future of finance and technology. The Eve Wealth Summit will foster deep relationships, meaningful collaborations, and actionable insights, creating opportunities for business partnerships, professional development, and shared success.
“The Eve Wealth Summit is more than an event – it’s a movement,” said Sadie Raney, Co-founder of Eve Wealth. “Our industry thrives when diverse voices are elevated and heard. This summit is designed to amplify those voices, spark innovation, and strengthen the reputation of digital assets and blockchain technology globally.”
Key Highlights of the Eve Wealth Summit:
- Dynamic Panels and Workshops: Featuring industry leaders and trailblazers sharing insights on the future of wealth, investing, and blockchain.
- Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Intimate gatherings designed to build lasting professional and personal connections.
- World-Class Venue: The luxurious Ritz Carlton in Laguna Beach provides the perfect setting for meaningful discussions and collaboration.
The summit’s curated program will include keynote speeches, fireside chats, and workshops led by some of the most influential voices in digital assets, including, Emma Giancarlo, Chris Giancarlo, Hailey Lennon, Aubrey Strobel, and Blue Macellari to name a few. With only 250 invitations extended, attendees will experience an intimate and impactful event tailored to empower and inspire.
The Eve Wealth Summit is creating a space where the industry can come together to share insights, build meaningful connections, and drive real change in digital assets, blockchain, and Web3. This is about shaping a future where diversity is not just encouraged but celebrated.” — Elaine Asher, Co-Founder of Eve Wealth
Early bird registration for the Eve Wealth Summit is now available.
About Eve Wealth
Eve Wealth is a platform and community dedicated to empowering women and allies in the fields of digital assets, blockchain, and Web3. Through curated events, actionable insights, and an inclusive network, Eve Wealth is redefining success and leadership in the financial technology space.
For more information about the Eve Wealth Summit and to apply for an invitation, users can visit https://annual-summit-2025.evewealth.com/
Media contact: media@evewealth.com
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Cryptocurrency
CFTC’s Last Stand Against Crypto? Subpoena to Coinbase Signals Final Push Before Trump Era Begins
Coinbase is facing increased scrutiny from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in connection with its involvement with Polymarket, a crypto-based prediction market platform.
On January 8, 2025, the exchange informed its customers that it had received a subpoena from the CFTC, which is examining the platform’s operations.
CFTC Issues Final Crypto Blow
According to an X post by EthHub co-founder Eric Conner, the subpoena seeks general customer information related to their involvement with Polymarket. Coinbase, however, clarified in its email that no immediate action is required from users but noted that it could be obligated to provide specific account details unless a legal motion is filed to block the request before January 15, 2025.
This action comes amidst a crackdown on decentralized betting platforms, with the CFTC considering Polymarket’s operations similar to gambling, raising questions about regulatory adherence.
These developments also come on the heels of a tumultuous period for Polymarket. FBI agents raided Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan’s Manhattan apartment on November 13, following the platform’s accurate prediction of Donald Trump’s election victory. Sources claimed the raid was politically motivated, with Coplan himself criticizing the move as a “last-ditch” effort to target political opponents. Polymarket, previously fined by the CFTC, also faces regulatory scrutiny over alleged market manipulation.
Despite Polymarket’s move to block US users following a 2022 settlement with the CFTC, some users have reportedly bypassed these restrictions using VPNs, leading to further concerns over potential market manipulation and illicit betting.
Meanwhile, the latest subpoena to Coinbase marks a significant moment in the ongoing regulatory tension between the US government and the cryptocurrency sector. Under the Biden administration, the CFTC and other regulatory agencies have been making final efforts to tighten oversight of the cryptocurrency industry. This is expected to change once Trump takes over.
Trump’s Bold Crypto Gambit
Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump was vocal about his strong support for the cryptocurrency industry and pledged to take measures to enhance its adoption if elected. Since his victory, he has started delivering on these commitments, including appointing pro-crypto figures to key positions, such as Paul Atkins, who will succeed Gary Gensler as SEC chairman.
He also appointed appointed former PayPal COO David O. Sacks as the “czar” for artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy were tasked with leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.)
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Cryptocurrency
Top Ripple (XRP) Price Predictions Following the Recent Market Crash
TL;DR
- Analysts project XRP could hit new highs, with forecasts ranging from $4 to $9.
- However, one market observer envisioned a double-digit crash if the price fails to close above $4 by March 10.
New ATH Soon?
Ripple’s XRP started 2025 on the right foot, with its price surging to almost $2.50 on January 4. However, the decline witnessed across the broader crypto market in the past few days put the brakes on the rally. XRP briefly plummeted to as low as $2.23 on January 7 and is currently worth approximately $2.27 (per CoinGecko’s data).
Nonetheless, many analysts who regularly observe the token’s price performance think a fresh resurgence could be in the cards. For example, the X user with almost 400,000 followers – Crypto Bitlord – urged people to invest in XRP, describing it as “the safest asset in all of crypto.”
The Great Matsby also weighed in, expecting the valuation to hit a new all-time high of $9 in the near future. “XRP is so damn bullish that it’s one of the last coins that hasn’t even touched the daily Ichimoku cloud yet,” they said.
The daily Ichimoku cloud is a technical analysis tool that helps traders identify trends, potential reversals, and support/resistance levels. It combines several components, including ongoing market trends, momentum, and future projections.
Other industry participants chipping in as of late are CRYPTOWZRD and the veteran trader Peter Brandt. The former believes XRP’s pump to $4 is “inevitable,” while the latter suggested that the asset’s market capitalization could surpass a whopping $500 billion.
Meanwhile, the XRP army recently got hyped following the meeting between the newly elected US president – Donald Trump – and two of Ripple’s bosses – Brad Garlinghouse and Stuart Alderoty.
What the men discussed during dinner remains unknown, but the crypto community was quick to give some interesting suggestions. Some of the speculations include the potential growth of Ripple and the further development of the local cryptocurrency sector.
Something for the Bears
While the overall sentiment surrounding XRP is quite optimistic, there are some market observers who foresee a potential crash. One person to outline such a thesis is the X user EGRAG CRYPTO.
The analyst (who usually makes bullish price predictions for Ripple’s native token) recently opined that it should “finish above $4 with strong confirmation on the weekly chart.” This needs to happen before March 10, or otherwise, the token might collapse by over 70%.
The X user based their forecast on the Lunar eclipse, which is scheduled for that period. EGRAG CRYPTO claimed that the phenomenon has been followed by a crypto market correction in the past. It is worth mentioning that there is no economic basis to suggest that the next Lunar eclipse can cause fluctuations in the sector.
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