Crypto

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday sued the founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange platform BitConnect for allegedly poaching a staggering $2 billion from retail investors from the United States and abroad. It is believed to be the largest cryptocurrency fraud to be criminally charged.

The inventor of cryptocurrency AriseCoin has been slapped with a five-year federal prison term for leaving investors more than $4 million out of pocket in a fraudulent digital coin scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Texas bared on Wednesday. 

Japanese cryptocurrency exchange giant Liquid was left nearly $100 million out of pocket after being hit by hackers. It marks the second major theft of cryptocurrencies in recent days following the $600-million heist of Poly Network.

Some of the $600 million stolen by hackers have been returned following the request by the crypto platform from where the theft occurred.

A bitcoin seller is facing up to five years in jail for operating a business without securing a license from the financial crimes watchdog, admitting to be responsible for at least $201,399.00 in losses to victims. 

The Metropolitan Police seized a record-breaking haul of cryptocurrency worth almost £180 million (US$249 million) in London, officials confirmed on Tuesday. It reportedly logs to be one of the largest ever seizures of cryptocurrency worldwide.