Coinbase CEO says Russian oligarchs won’t use crypto to evade sanctions

Coinbase CEO says Russian oligarchs won’t use crypto to evade sanctions
фото показано с : coinjournal.net

2022-3-5 00:46

Russia, sanctions, crypto– yes, three words that have this week informed one of the most discussed topics in the crypto space. 

We know Russia attacked Ukraine and a war is going on. This has in turn attracted tough sanctions from across European nations and the United States.

And in the middle of all these, there's a simple hypothesis that crypto could provide Russian oligarchs a way to circumvent sanctions. Of course crypto should be able to do this, given characteristics inherent to the burgeoning technology.

But it won't be won't be easy and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has shared his views on why not.

Why Coinbase thinks crypto will not be ideal Russian oligarchs

According to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, it’s possible a wealthy Russian close to President Vladimir Putin might try to evade US sanctions by using crypto. 

Yet, looking at the prevailing circumstances around Russia, crypto may not be what an oligarch trying to remain anonymous or discrete would look to use in “sneaking” huge amounts of money around.

And it even gets tougher given that the liquidity one might need to facilitate this on the biggest exchanges- most of them available in the US and other major countries looking to enforce sanctions.  As such, crypto businesses in these countries will likely follow the law and make it difficult for Russia or the sanctioned individuals.

Sharing his thoughts on this very topic, the Coinbase chief noted:

“Every US company has to follow the law – it doesn't matter if your company handles dollars, crypto, gold, real estate or even non financial assets. Sanctions laws apply to all US people and businesses. So it would be a mistake to think crypto businesses like Coinbase won't follow the law. Of course we will.”

He added that screening of customers is part of the law and that global watchlists provide useful information that helps the exchange block flagged individuals, IP addresses, accounts or transactions.

Armstrong then explains why he doesn’t think “there’s a high risk of Russian oligarchs using crypto to avoid sanctions.”

Why?

“Because it is an open ledger, trying to sneak lots of money through crypto would be more traceable than using U.S. dollars cash, art, gold, or other assets,” he said.

Blockchain traceability and following the law won’t make it easy for anyone looking to use cryptocurrencies to avoid sanctions.

At a webinar this morning, the National Security Council's director of cybersecurity Carole House says the scale that Russia would need to circumvent all financial sanctions “would almost certainly render cryptocurrency as an ineffective primary tool for the state."

— Hannah Lang (@hannahdlang) March 2, 2022

Coinbase won’t block all Russians

Calls to ban all Russians from accessing services on crypto exchanges have also been made, including from officials in Ukraine. But Armstrong says Coinbase won’t take that step.

“We are not preemptively banning all Russians from using Coinbase. We believe everyone deserves access to basic financial services unless the law says otherwise,” he noted.

According to him, doing so will impact people for whom crypto is a buffer in these times when the ruble has deflated massively.

“Many of them [ordinary Russians] likely oppose what their country is doing, and a ban would hurt them, too,” he opined.

But like other regulated companies and businesses, Coinbase follows the law and if the US government asks it to block or ban certain users, the firm will follow the said laws.

Armstrong summarised his view of the whole issue by saying that Coinbase will also work towards helping Ukrainians access the crypto services they need.

The post Coinbase CEO says Russian oligarchs won’t use crypto to evade sanctions appeared first on Coin Journal.

Similar to Notcoin - Blum - Airdrops In 2024

origin »

Emerald Crypto (EMD) на Currencies.ru

$ 0 (+0.00%)
Объем 24H $0
Изменеия 24h: 0.00 %, 7d: 4.67 %
Cегодня L: $0 - H: $0
Капитализация $0 Rank 99999
Цена в час новости $ 0.0095806 (-100%)

crypto sanctions evade says coinbase ceo russian

crypto sanctions → Результатов: 126


Фото:

Uganda Crypto Ponzi Scammers Beware, Gov’t Plans New Sanctions

The Ugandan Ministry of Finance have once again issued a warning about investing in crypto-assets, over concerns of rising Ponzi and pyramid schemes. Local sources say the Government is now updating its Penal Code Act to outlaw these types of scams Crypto Ponzi schemes are pilfering Ugandan investors Uganda’s State Minister of Finance, David Bahati, spoke to Uganda’s Parliament yesterday, and asked the government to publish public warnings to Ugandan investors about the risks ofRead More The post appeared first on Bitcoinist.com.

2020-2-6 05:00


North Korean Crypto Conference a No-Go, Warns the UN

Sanctions experts from the United Nations have warned blockchain enthusiasts against attending an upcoming cryptocurrency conference in North Korea. Attending the Pyongyang Event Could Breach Sanctions According to Reuters, a confidential report will be submitted to the UN Security Council warning that the event will include discussions that cover sanctions evasion and money laundering.

2020-1-16 16:25


Venezuela’s Largest Retailer And Local Crypto Pioneer, Traki, Launches Its First Ever Bitcoin ATM

The largest retailer in Venezuela, Traki, installs its first ever Bitcoin ATMs that allow customers to buy two cryptocurrencies, BTC and Dash (DASH). As the country crumbles under hyperinflation and sanctions from various countries across the globe, the government is turning to cryptocurrencies as a stable form of payment. Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, announced the […]

2019-10-7 17:24


Venezuelan Exchange To Launch PoS System And Crypto Debit Card; Including Petro, BTC, & DASH

The Venezuelan government is one of the most crypto friendly countries as it looks for ways to sustain its hyper-inflated economy and sanctions from various governments. The government is focused on promoting its oil backed crypto, Petro dollar, to its citizens with the latest debit card release by government sanctioned exchange, CriptoLAGO. The debit card […]

2019-10-4 17:34


North Korea Is Creating, Designing and Implementing Its Own Cryptocurrency

The North Korean government has set out to create its own cryptocurrency. As reported by Vice News, a government representative has recently affirmed that this new crypto would be used to avoid international sanctions and to help in the circumvention of the global financial system, which is currently controlled by the United States, one of […]

2019-9-19 22:59


US sanctions against 3 North Korean cyber groups accused of targeting financial institutions and crypto exchanges

The US shares a complicated relationship with North Korea and it is getting, even more, complex. The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Friday, sanctions against three North Korean hacking groups accused of attacking important institutions, malicious cyber-attacks and stealing millions from cryptocurrency exchanges to financial institutions.

2019-9-14 13:00