Crypto Regulation News

Europol says an international operation has seized more than 100 servers and arrested seven suspects linked to fraudulent investment platforms targeting potential victims in over 50 countries. The sites promoted investments in cryptocurrencies, forex and stocks, while call centres allegedly pressured victims to send more money using fake profits. Investigators estimate losses above €4 million.

France’s National Assembly has rejected two proposals that would have taxed unrealized crypto gains when eligible investors moved abroad. One amendment sought to bring crypto into the existing exit-tax regime, while another targeted household crypto holdings above €800,000. Other crypto tax measures remain under debate.

The Bank of Korea has begun its first survey of financial institutions’ exposure to the crypto sector, covering 18 banks and 13 securities firms. The review asks about crypto-related teams, budgets, investments, business plans and risk controls, while also examining how a major exchange hack, sharp token price decline or prolonged trading slowdown could affect the wider financial system.

Thailand is widening its investigation into Shuffle.com after cyber police obtained money-flow data from three crypto exchanges. Officials say the offshore structure and use of digital assets make the case more complex than conventional gambling probes, while the Department of Special Investigation is considering taking it up as a special case.

The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance has added three crypto FAQs clarifying when governance participants may be treated as a controlling group. Staff said unaffiliated token holders participating transparently in governance are generally not a central party unless they coordinate separately or hold operational, economic or voting control. The guidance has no legal force.

New Jersey has ended its staking enforcement action against Coinbase by rescinding the 2023 summary penalty and cease-and-desist order. The withdrawal was made without prejudice, meaning regulators could bring a future action. Coinbase says the move should allow residents to resume new staking once service access is updated.

Crypto.com will discontinue its consumer app in Hong Kong on February 1, 2027, citing regulatory changes. Affected users will receive instructions to close accounts and withdraw remaining funds. The company will continue pursuing approval for its separate institutional Crypto.com Exchange, whose Hong Kong licence application has remained pending since February 2024.

North Korea has rejected the FBI’s finding that a Pyongyang-linked hacking group stole more than $6 billion from Binance. Kim Yo-jong called the attribution a “grave political provocation” and accused Washington of trying to portray the DPRK as a cybercriminal state. The FBI linked the theft to TraderTraitor, a group previously tied to major crypto heists.

Mercado Bitcoin has suspended deposits and withdrawals following a security incident in one of its internal systems. The exchange says there was no customer loss and no data breach, while its teams investigate the event and trace assets. The company added that the suspension is precautionary and further updates will be provided.

India’s RBI and Financial Intelligence Unit are reportedly examining offshore crypto cards used by Indian residents for domestic purchases and ATM withdrawals. Authorities are looking at whether products linked to platforms such as RedotPay bypass payment rules or FEMA requirements, while some users have reported sudden card deactivations