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Squid Game Token Is No More Representative of Crypto than Penny Stocks are of Traditional Investments

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Squid Game Token

A number of news outlets are reporting on the sudden disappearance of SquidGame.cash, the website behind the trending cryptocurrency based on the popular show, Squid Game. The token’s meteoric rise, however, was filled with warning signs. Even still, some experts, including a Johns Hopkins professor, are saying that this latest scam is representative of the crypto ecosystem.

“It’s always tragic when people are scammed out of their hard-earned money. But, this is yet another reminder that investors must be vigilant. There were many signs, throughout the build-up, that this was a fraudulent scheme. The first thing any crypto investor should do when looking at a new project? Read the white paper. Then they should do their due diligence. In this case, the white paper was not professionally prepared. It was riddled with typos. That’s not something that a company which partnered with Netflix and Disney on a crypto project, as was claimed in this case, would do,” said Richard Gardner, CEO of Modulus, a US-based developer of ultra-high-performance trading and surveillance technology that powers global equities, derivatives, and digital asset exchanges.

“In many ways, new crypto projects are much like penny stocks. And, if you’re going to invest in that space, you need to do your due diligence. If a token claims to be partnered with major corporations like Netflix and Disney, go and check out if there is a press release on the company’s website. Disney isn’t going to create a token without publicizing it. These are basic things investors in any area must do. To say that the Squid Game token debacle is representative of the crypto ecosystem is like saying that start-up CBD penny stock is representative of investing in established pharmaceutical firms. It’s patently absurd,” said Gardner.

“What’s worse than the blatant mischaracterization is that these crypto-naysayers know that they’re spouting off nonsense. It is a tragedy that bad actors take advantage of unsuspecting investors, whether that’s here with token scams or in real estate, where some unscrupulous sellers fail to make proper disclosures about pyrrhotite in concrete mixtures, which have resulted, over the years, in a crumbling foundation. Whenever money is involved, there will always be bad actors. Scams and hackers involve themselves in cryptocurrencies because there is wealth in the industry. It is up to us to remain vigilant when investing and, as a community, work towards creating regulatory changes which make such chicanery more difficult,” said Gardner.

Modulus is known throughout the financial technology segment as a leader in the development of ultra-high frequency trading systems and blockchain technologies. Modulus has provided its exchange solution to some of the industry’s most profitable digital asset exchanges, including a well-known multi-billion-dollar cryptocurrency exchange. Over the past twenty years, the company has built technology for the world’s most notable institutions, with a client list which includes NASA, NASDAQ, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Barclays, Siemens, Shell, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Cornell University, and the University of Chicago.

“I’ve been saying for quite some time that the industry needs greater regulation to prevent these kinds of issues. What needs to happen, in my opinion, is for government to come together with those in the industry to create a commonsense rulebook that guides the industry. We need to take steps to keep bad actors from absconding with the assets of unsuspecting investors to keep the public safe, while at the same time recognizing that there is tremendous potential for the blockchain industry to explode. We need to still allow innovators to do what they do best: create cool things that add value,” said Gardner.

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Binance Boss Behind Bars: CZ Sentenced to Four Months for Crypto Exchange Failures

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Binance CEO

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, has been sentenced to four months in prison for his role in security failures that enabled cybercriminals and terrorist groups to exploit the Binance platform.

The verdict, delivered by US District Judge Richard Jones in Seattle, is the first time a chief executive officer of a major cryptocurrency exchange has been incarcerated for breaching banking secrecy laws.

The courtroom, packed with onlookers and CZ’s legal team, witnessed the billionaire entrepreneur, clad in a dark suit and light blue tie, receive his sentence stoically.

Despite fervent pleas from prosecutors for a three-year sentence to set a precedent in the crypto industry, Judge Jones opted for a shorter term.

In his statement, Judge Jones emphasized that no individual, regardless of wealth or status, is exempt from accountability under the law.

The case against CZ stemmed from a protracted investigation by the US Department of Justice, casting a long shadow over Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, and its high-profile leader.

Prosecutors argued that CZ’s failure to implement adequate money laundering safeguards facilitated illicit transactions, enabling cybercriminals and even terrorist groups like Hamas to operate freely on the platform.

The sentencing also comes on the heels of similar crackdowns within the cryptocurrency space, including the recent conviction of Sam Bankman-Fried, a former crypto titan who received a 25-year prison sentence for defrauding FTX customers of billions of dollars.

CZ’s defense team, however, contended that he should be spared imprisonment due to his non-US citizenship, which they argued put him at heightened risk in a US detention facility.

Nevertheless, Judge Jones emphasized the gravity of CZ’s offenses, terming them “unprecedented” in scale and impact.

In a post-sentencing statement on social media, CZ expressed acceptance of his fate, vowing to “do his time” and focus on education and philanthropy upon his release.

Despite his impending incarceration, CZ affirmed his commitment to the cryptocurrency sector as a passive investor.

The implications of CZ’s sentencing extend beyond his personal fate, raising questions about regulatory oversight and accountability within the burgeoning crypto industry.

Federal prosecutor Kevin Mosley underscored the deliberate nature of CZ’s violations, arguing that they were not mere oversights but intentional breaches of US law.

As CZ prepares to serve his prison term at Seattle’s Federal Detention Center, SeaTac, the crypto community grapples with the repercussions of his downfall.

The episode serves as a stark reminder that, despite the decentralized ethos of cryptocurrencies, regulatory scrutiny and legal accountability remain paramount in an increasingly interconnected financial landscape.

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U.S. Prosecutors Recommend 36-Month Prison Term for Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao

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Binance CEO

In a significant development in the legal saga surrounding Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, U.S. prosecutors have recommended a 36-month prison term for its founder, Changpeng Zhao.

The recommendation follows Zhao’s guilty plea to violating laws against money laundering, a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle between Binance and U.S. authorities.

Zhao, commonly known as CZ, stepped down as Binance’s chief last November, simultaneously admitting to the violations alongside the exchange.

The firm agreed to a hefty penalty of $4.32 billion as part of the settlement with prosecutors.

According to court filings submitted to the U.S. district court for the western district of Washington, prosecutors argued that the magnitude of Zhao’s willful violation of U.S. law warranted an above-guidelines sentence.

While federal sentencing guidelines set a maximum term of 18 months in prison for Zhao, prosecutors emphasized the severity of the violations and their consequences in advocating for the extended sentence.

The legal scrutiny surrounding Binance stems from allegations that the exchange failed to report over 100,000 suspicious transactions involving designated terrorist groups such as Hamas, al Qaeda, and ISIS.

Furthermore, prosecutors alleged that Binance’s platform facilitated the sale of child sexual abuse materials and served as a recipient of a significant portion of ransomware proceeds.

As part of the settlement, Zhao agreed to pay a $50 million fine and disengage from any involvement with Binance, the platform he founded in 2017.

The penalties imposed on Binance included a staggering $1.81 billion criminal fine and restitution of $2.51 billion.

The recommendation for a 36-month prison term underscores the seriousness with which U.S. authorities are addressing violations within the cryptocurrency industry.

The outcome of Zhao’s sentencing, scheduled for April 30 in Seattle, will likely have far-reaching implications for both Binance and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.

As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, stakeholders across the industry are closely monitoring developments to gauge their impact on the future of cryptocurrency exchanges and their founders.

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SEC Philippines Urges Removal of Binance App from Google Play Store and Apple App Store

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Binance - Investors King

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines has intensified its regulatory oversight over cryptocurrency trading platforms, particularly targeting Binance, one of the world’s largest digital asset exchanges.

In a bold move, the SEC Philippines has formally requested the removal of the Binance app from both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The action, disclosed through letters addressed to Google and Apple on April 19, 2024, underscores the SEC’s concerns regarding unauthorized investment solicitation activities facilitated by the Binance platform.

SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino emphasized that allowing access to the Binance app and website poses a significant threat to the security of funds belonging to Filipino investors.

This move represents a significant escalation in the Philippines’ regulatory efforts to safeguard investors and maintain financial stability within the cryptocurrency market.

The SEC’s decision to target Binance reflects growing concerns globally regarding the lack of oversight and potential risks associated with digital asset trading platforms.

Binance, known for its extensive range of cryptocurrency trading services, has faced increasing scrutiny from regulators worldwide.

While the company has made efforts to comply with regulatory requirements in various jurisdictions, concerns persist regarding the adequacy of investor protection measures and compliance protocols.

The SEC Philippines’ call for the removal of the Binance app from major app stores highlights the regulator’s determination to enforce strict oversight and uphold investor confidence in the country’s financial markets.

The move is likely to have implications not only for Binance but also for other cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the Philippines and beyond.

Investors and industry stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, awaiting further updates on the SEC’s regulatory actions and their potential impact on the cryptocurrency ecosystem in the Philippines.

As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, market participants are urged to exercise caution and stay informed about evolving regulatory requirements and compliance obligations in the digital asset space.

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