Latam Insights: Bukele Offers Bitcoin Advice to Argentina, Uruguay Passes Crypto Law

Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news from the past week. In this issue, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele meets with President Milei in Argentina, offering bitcoin advice to the Senate, and Uruguay passes a cryptocurrency law after over two years of discussion. Bukele and Milei Meet: […]

IMF Urges El Salvador to Tighten Bitcoin Law and Strengthen Oversight

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised El Salvador to narrow the scope of its bitcoin law, strengthen regulation and oversight of the cryptocurrency, and limit public sector exposure. The IMF remains engaged with the country to support reforms and ensure bitcoin adoption does not threaten financial stability. IMF Urges El Salvador to Tackle Bitcoin […]

Crypto Fraud Ring Dismantled by Vietnamese Authorities

Vietnamese authorities have reportedly dismantled a cross-border fraud ring involved in romance scams and fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Led by foreign criminals, the group operated from Laos and defrauded victims of tens of billions of dong. Key Vietnamese suspects, trained in digital deception, have been arrested for their roles in the scheme, which included using fake […]

UAE Introduces Retroactive VAT Exemptions for Crypto Transactions

The United Arab Emirates has introduced VAT amendments that impact crypto transactions, redefining tax obligations for companies in the digital asset space. Under the new rules, businesses dealing with cryptocurrencies and other digital assets must carefully evaluate their tax positions, especially as some provisions retroactively affect transactions since 2018. UAE’s VAT Amendments Introduce Retroactive Tax […]

Australian Police Seize $9.3M in Crypto, Bust Mastermind Behind Ghost Platform

The Australian Federal Police have taken a major step against organized crime by seizing $9.3 million in cryptocurrency. The operation uncovered a secret encrypted communication platform, Ghost, leading to the arrest of its alleged mastermind. Through digital forensics, authorities cracked the suspect’s crypto accounts. With previous operations yielding millions in seized assets, the ongoing investigation […]

Experts Fear Cryptocurrency Outflows May Affect Exchange Rates in Brazil

Analysts believe that, in the future, outflows derived from cryptocurrency purchases could affect the domestic exchange rate in Brazil. The Central Bank of Brazil indicates that crypto assets and recreational services account for $14.7 billion that flowed out of Brazil through August, hinting at the use of virtual assets as payment tools. Cryptocurrency Outflows Dangerous […]

US Targets Lazarus Group and APT38 in $879M Crypto Forfeiture Complaint

Offshore Alert reporter David Marchant disclosed the United States has initiated two forfeiture complaints related to previously confiscated bitcoin (BTC) and tether (USDT), alleging that these funds were snatched by the notorious North Korean hacking groups Lazarus Group and Advanced Persistent Threat 38 (APT38). These cyber hacking syndicates are known for their operations to fund […]

US Targets Lazarus Group and APT38 in $879M Crypto Forfeiture Complaint

Offshore Alert reporter David Marchant disclosed the United States has initiated two forfeiture complaints related to previously confiscated bitcoin (BTC) and tether (USDT), alleging that these funds were snatched by the notorious North Korean hacking groups Lazarus Group and Advanced Persistent Threat 38 (APT38). These cyber hacking syndicates are known for their operations to fund […]

Down from the Peaks: Bitcoin Nears Record High While Altcoins Face Uphill Battle

As of today, Oct. 6, 2024, the countdown to the end of the year continues, with just 87 days left. Bitcoin (BTC) is holding strong at just over $62,000, although it’s still trailing 15.6% below its record high from seven months ago. Meanwhile, ethereum (ETH) is facing a steeper climb, currently priced at $2,432—sitting 50.2% […]

Lego’s Website Hacked to Promote ‘Lego Coin’ Crypto Scam

Lego’s website was hacked to display an unauthorized cryptocurrency ad promoting a fake “Lego coin.” The ad encouraged site visitors to purchase the fake crypto, promising them secret rewards and redirecting them to a suspicious external site selling “Lego tokens.” Lego’s Website Compromised by Cryptocurrency Scam Lego’s website experienced a security breach on Oct. 4 […]