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The UK is expanding its authority to seize and destroy criminals’ crypto assets. According to a new announcement, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and police will now be able to intervene more effectively in criminals’ crypto assets. A key feature of the new powers is that law enforcement no longer needs to arrest a suspect before seizing their crypto assets. Additionally, law enforcement can now also seize materials containing significant information related to crypto assets.
New Crypto Regulations in the UK
Among the new powers granted to law enforcement is the ability to transfer illegal crypto assets to controlled wallets and destroy them if necessary. Additionally, victims of crime can now apply to have the money in their crypto accounts returned to them.
Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that criminals will not benefit from breaking the law, highlighting that the new powers will provide significant advantages to law enforcement. Cleverly particularly pointed out the prevention of groups like terrorist organizations from raising funds using cryptocurrencies.
The announcement also highlighted the use of cryptocurrencies and NFTs by drug dealers and fraudsters. Adrian Searle, Director of the UK National Economic Crime Centre, mentioned that criminals are increasingly using crypto assets to hide and transfer, welcoming the new powers as they enhance law enforcement’s ability to restrict, recover, and destroy crypto assets.
Privacy Coins Targeted by Governments
In recent days, cryptocurrency projects, especially those focused on privacy, have been on the radar of governments and law enforcement worldwide. Unlike popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, privacy coins keep transactions confidential, potentially protecting identifying information.
US authorities arrested the founders of the Bitcoin mixer Samourai Wallet on charges of money laundering. The Southern District of New York’s US Attorney’s Office accused Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill of operating a cryptocurrency mixer and facilitating illegal transactions.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned Americans against using unregistered cryptocurrency money transfer services. It emphasized that Money Service Businesses (MSBs) must comply with customer identification and anti-money laundering laws.
