News & Analysis as of

Bank Secrecy Act FinCEN Bitcoin

The Bank Secrecy Act is a United States federal statute enacted in 1970 to detect and prevent money laundering within financial institutions. The BSA requires financial institutions to keep records and provide... more +
The Bank Secrecy Act is a United States federal statute enacted in 1970 to detect and prevent money laundering within financial institutions. The BSA requires financial institutions to keep records and provide documentation to authorities for single transactions of more than $10,000 and report other suspicious account activity that could signify money laundering or other financial crimes. less -
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Pending Changes to Anti-Money Laundering Program Requirements for MSBs and Other Financial Institutions

Money services businesses (MSBs), a category which includes money transmitters (e.g., PayPal and other payment facilitators), as well as administrators and exchangers of convertible virtual currencies (e.g., Bitcoin...more

Troutman Pepper

Troutman Pepper Weekly Consumer Financial Services Newsletter - August 2024

Troutman Pepper on

To keep you informed of recent activities, below are several of the most significant federal and state events that have influenced the Consumer Financial Services industry over the past week...more

Ballard Spahr LLP

PA Department of Banking and Securities: Virtual Currency is “Money”

Ballard Spahr LLP on

On April 20, 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (“DoBS”) issued a policy statement (“Policy Statement”) to “clarify” that the Department’s interpretation of the term “money” in the Pennsylvania Money...more

Troutman Pepper

Troutman Pepper Weekly Consumer Financial Services Newsletter - February 2024 # 4

Troutman Pepper on

To keep you informed of recent activities, below are several of the most significant federal and state events that have influenced the Consumer Financial Services industry over the past week...more

Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto LLP

Cryptocurrencies Mirrored a New Gold Rush, Then Ended Up Similarly: With Scammers Going to Jail

Despite the excitement that surrounded original cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the dust eventually settled, revealing that only a few early investors got rich and many others lost their life savings. But it was not long...more

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Cryptocurrency Exchange Founders Plead Guilty to Bank Secrecy Act Violations

On February 24, 2022, two of three founders of an off-shore cryptocurrency derivatives exchange, the Bitcoin Mercantile Exchange or “BitMEX,” pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) by failing to maintain an...more

Foodman CPAs & Advisors

How Will Virtual Currency Be Taxed?

Foodman CPAs & Advisors on

Despite the confusing interpretations by US regulators, non-compliance with crypto tax rules can cost taxpayers dearly. Unfortunately, the answer to “how is virtual currency taxed” depends on who you ask....more

King & Spalding

The Anti-Money Laundering Act and Crypto Collide: Non-Fungible Tokens

King & Spalding on

As NFTs gain popularity, buyers and sellers should consider the potential issues related to federal anti-money laundering laws. While non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”) have existed for several years, the market for NFTs grew...more

Latham & Watkins LLP

FinCEN Looks to Rein In Cryptocurrency Transactions

Latham & Watkins LLP on

A new proposal would subject financial institutions and exchanges to onerous recordkeeping and reporting requirements for certain digital currency transactions. In a surprise release in the waning days of the Trump...more

Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

FinCEN’s Proposed Rulemaking for Cryptocurrency – The Balance of National Security vs. Privacy

Just before the Christmas holidays, the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued proposed rulemaking entitled “Requirements for Certain Transactions Involving Convertible Virtual...more

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Bitcoin “Mixer” That Anonymizes Transactions Shaken With $60 Million Penalty From FinCEN

Vinson & Elkins LLP on

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) recently hit the founder and primary operator of both Helix and Coin Ninja with a $60 million civil monetary penalty. These companies served as “mixers” or “tumblers” for...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

FinCEN Takes Action Against Bitcoin Mixer for Violating the Bank Secrecy Act

Foley & Lardner LLP on

On October 19, 2020, The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced its first action against a bitcoin mixer: a $60 million civil penalty against Larry Dean Harmon. Harmon was the founder and operator of Helix...more

Proskauer - Blockchain and the Law

Trump Administration Plans to Introduce New AML Requirements for Cryptocurrencies

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin remarked before a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee three weeks ago that “significant new requirements at FinCEN” for cryptocurrencies would be introduced quickly, in response to...more

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

Recent regulatory developments regarding AML requirements for broker-dealers

On October 11, 2019, the leaders of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a...more

Orrick - On the Chain

In Case You Needed A Reminder – AML/CFT Regulations Apply to Transactions in Cryptocurrencies

Orrick - On the Chain on

Earlier this month, the leaders of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission released a joint statement reminding individuals...more

Perkins Coie

Blockchain Week in Review - October 2019

Perkins Coie on

U.S. Developments - U.S. Federal Regulatory Developments - CFTC, FinCEN, and SEC Leaders Release a Join Statement on Digital Assets - On October 11, 2019, the heads of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”),...more

Burns & Levinson LLP

When Privacy Does Not Apply, But Tax Does: Cryptocurrency Transactions

Burns & Levinson LLP on

Overview of Federal Regulation - As transactions involving cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, become more prevalent, regulatory oversight has been evolving....more

Foodman CPAs & Advisors

If you Exchange Virtual Currency, you are a Money Transmitter and must comply with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)

FinCEN defines a Money Service Business (MSB) as any person DOING BUSINESS, whether or not on a regular basis or as an organized business concern, in one or more of the following capacities...more

Morrison & Foerster LLP

Nevada Resident Sentenced for Fraud and Unlicensed Money Transmission in Case Involving Bitcoin

On May 28, 2019, a Nevada resident, Morgan Rockcoons, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California to 21 months in prison for wire fraud and unlicensed money transmission. In connection...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

FinCEN Announces First-Ever Enforcement Action Against Bitcoin Trader For Violations Of BSA

Fox Rothschild LLP on

Last week, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced its first-ever civil penalty against a cryptocurrency exchanger for willful violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). According to the FinCEN Assessment...more

Dechert LLP

Financial Services Quarterly Report - First Quarter 2019: A U.S. Regulatory Patchwork Quilt: Cryptocurrency and Money Transmitter...

Dechert LLP on

According to its original design, Bitcoin was intended to reduce market participants’ need to rely on “financial institutions serving as trusted third parties to process electronic payments.”1 While Bitcoin and other...more

Ward and Smith, P.A.

Should You Bank a Virtual Currency Business?

Ward and Smith, P.A. on

Virtual currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have spawned many types of businesses that need banking services. Many banks "de-risk" -- do not provide banking services -- to these businesses. Many virtual currency...more

Ballard Spahr LLP

FinCEN Director Addresses Virtual Currency and Touts Regulatory Leadership and Value of SAR Filings

Ballard Spahr LLP on

Address Emphasizes Role of SARs in Fighting Illegal Activity, Including Drug Dealing Fueling the Opioid Crisis - Kenneth Blanco, the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), discussed last week...more

Ballard Spahr LLP

Unlicensed Bit Coin Exchange Operator Sentenced to One Year and a Day for Attempted Money Laundering in Undercover Sting Operation...

Ballard Spahr LLP on

Earlier this month, the District Court for the Central District of California imposed a prison sentence of one year and a day, with three years of supervised release, on defendant Theresa Lynn Tetley, who had pleaded guilty...more

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Anti-Money Laundering Obligations for Virtual Currency Companies

Virtual currency businesses are under scrutiny by U.S. anti-money laundering (AML) regulators. Earlier this year, U.S Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin emphasized that virtual currencies are subject to AML regulations. He...more

44 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 2

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide