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Tornado Cash co-founders charged with money laundering

The United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added Roman Semenov, one of the co-founders of the Tornado Cash cryptocurrency “mixer,” to its list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons on Aug. 23.

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The United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added Roman Semenov, one of the co-founders of the Tornado Cash cryptocurrency “mixer,” to its list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons on Aug. 23.

Another co-founder, Roman Storm, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division in Washington state the same day.

Semenov and Storm are being charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit sanctions violations and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business in an indictment unsealed on Aug. 23. The first two counts each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The money-transmitting charge is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.

OFAC’s sanctioning of Tornado Cash caused a backlash in the crypto community. Coinbase backed a suit filed by six individuals that alleged the Treasury Department exceeded its authority in sanctioning the mixer. Advocacy group Coin Center filed a similar suit. Pro-crypto member of the U.S. House of Representatives Tom Emmer also wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen questioning the move.

Both the DOJ and OFAC specifically refer to Tornado Cash’s role in laundering funds of the Lazarus Group, a North Korean-linked hacking group, which is also on the SDN list, but Tornado Cash has been implicated in several other hacks as well. All told, the mixer has laundered over $1 billion in ill-gotten gains, according to DOJ allegations.

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7-Eleven South Korea to accept CBDC payments in national pilot program

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7-Eleven is set to participate in the testing phase of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative, running from April to June. The retail giant’s involvement highlights the growing push for digital currency integration in everyday transactions.

The pilot program will assess the feasibility of CBDC payments at 7-Eleven stores, allowing customers to make purchases using the digital currency. The initiative is part of a broader effort to explore the real-world application of CBDCs in retail environments, potentially shaping future payment systems.

As central banks worldwide accelerate their digital currency research, private sector collaboration is seen as crucial for widespread adoption. If successful, 7-Eleven’s participation could pave the way for broader CBDC usage across retail and commercial sectors.

The outcome of the testing phase will provide valuable insights into consumer adoption, transaction efficiency, and potential regulatory considerations, influencing how CBDCs are integrated into mainstream financial systems.

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SEC and Gemini ask to pause lawsuit to explore ‘potential resolution’

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and crypto exchange Gemini have agreed to pause legal proceedings as both sides explore a potential resolution to their ongoing lawsuit. The move signals a possible settlement in the high-profile case, which centers around Gemini’s now-defunct Earn program.

The SEC initially sued Gemini, alleging that the Earn program—designed to offer users yield on crypto deposits—operated as an unregistered securities offering. Gemini has pushed back against the claims, arguing that its operations complied with regulatory standards.

By pausing litigation, both parties may be looking for a compromise that could set a precedent for crypto lending products in the U.S. A settlement could also provide regulatory clarity for similar platforms navigating SEC scrutiny.

While the outcome remains uncertain, the crypto industry is closely watching the case, as its resolution could impact future enforcement actions and the broader regulatory approach toward digital asset lending services.

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GameStop finishes $1.5B raise to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet

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GameStop has successfully completed a debt offering, raising capital that may be used to acquire Bitcoin, signaling the company’s deeper foray into digital assets. The move aligns with its broader strategy to diversify beyond traditional retail operations and into emerging financial technologies.

While GameStop has not confirmed the exact allocation of the funds, market speculation suggests that a portion could be used to buy Bitcoin, following in the footsteps of companies like MicroStrategy. The potential investment would reinforce GameStop’s ongoing pivot toward blockchain and digital assets, an effort that began with its NFT marketplace and crypto-related initiatives.

Analysts see this development as part of a growing trend of corporations exploring Bitcoin as a reserve asset amid concerns over inflation and monetary policy. If GameStop proceeds with the acquisition, it could further validate Bitcoin’s role as a strategic investment for publicly traded companies.

The company’s board will ultimately decide how the newly raised capital is deployed. Investors and the broader crypto market are watching closely for any official announcements regarding GameStop’s Bitcoin strategy.

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