• August 20, 2024

U.S Stock Futures Steady As Market Awaits Fed Signal

According to BlockBeats, on August 20, U.S. stock futures remained largely unchanged following a strong performance the previous day. The market is speculating that the Federal Reserve may soon signal a readiness to begin cutting interest rates. After the S&P 500 Index strengthened for the eighth consecutive day on Monday, traders took a brief pause.Trading volumes have decreased as investors are hesitant to make significant bets ahead of this week's Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. Kyle Rodda, a senior market analyst at Capital.Com Inc., noted that recent data has alleviated concerns about a slowdown in U.S. economic growth without sparking fears of a resurgence in inflation.

  • August 20, 2024

Seychelles Parliament Approves Bill To Regulate Virtual Asset Service Providers

According to PANews, the Seychelles National Assembly has approved a draft bill aimed at regulating Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). The legislation mandates that VASPs seeking licenses must establish substantial operations within Seychelles, including having resident directors and offices staffed with competent employees. This law aims to balance innovation with anti-money laundering efforts and comply with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

  • August 20, 2024

Former Kansas Bank CEO Sentenced for Embezzlement in Cryptocurrency Scam

According to Odaily, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced that a former CEO of a Kansas bank has been sentenced to 293 months (approximately 24 years and 5 months) in prison for embezzling substantial funds to participate in a cryptocurrency scam, leading to the bank's collapse. Court documents reveal that 53-year-old Shan Hanes admitted to one count of embezzlement by a bank executive. During his tenure as CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB), Hanes conducted 11 wire transfers totaling $47.1 million between May and July 2023, funneling the money into a cryptocurrency wallet to engage in a crypto scam. These funds eventually ended up in multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) covered the $47.1 million loss due to the bank's federal insurance protection. Hanes' fraudulent actions led to the collapse of Heartland Tri-State Bank, resulting in a $9 million loss for investors. A federal judge has ordered a separate hearing within the next 90 days to finalize the restitution. The Department of Justice stated that Hanes' actions not only betrayed the bank and its investors but also undermined public confidence in financial institutions. The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the FDIC Office of Inspector General.