Since 2013 and perhaps earlier, Iran has been engaging in crytpo-currency-based transactions for a variety of purposes. On October 11, the US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an advisory that stated, among other things, that “with the full re-imposition on November 5 of sanctions lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), FinCEN expects that Iranian financial institutions, the Iranian regime, and its officials will increase their efforts to evade US sanctions to fund malign activities and secure hard currency for the Government of Iran.” The dailyReport Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox The US also asserts that “the Iranian regime uses deceptive practices, including front companies, fraudulent documents, exchange houses, seemingly legitimate businesses and government officials, to generate illicit revenues and finance their malign activities,” according to the … [Read more...] about Tehran keeps probing crypto in search for sanction relief
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Companies clamp down on crypto ads as regulators play catch-up
LONDON: A growing number of internet companies are banning cryptocurrency advertising, fearing reputational damage if their users are duped or left penniless, even as regulators struggle to get to grips with the fast-emerging industry.Twitter on Tuesday began blocking crypto ads, becoming the latest internet giant to crack down after moves by Alphabet's Google and Facebook earlier this year.Once restricted to small online chatrooms for early bitcoin backers, cryptocurrencies have since exploded in popularity and the industry has grown rapidly.Huge billboards promoting the latest coin hang over Tokyo's streets, ads touting crypto-trading dot the London underground network, and social media platforms are full of start-ups looking to raise capital through "initial coin offerings" (ICOs), as the selling of new virtual tokens is known.While regulators have stepped up their warnings about the risks to consumers of investing in cryptocurrencies and the potential for scams, in most … [Read more...] about Companies clamp down on crypto ads as regulators play catch-up