US authorities arrest China-based Russian owner of cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato for alleged money laundering, hailing the move as a global 'blow to the cryptocrime ecosystem'
US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco says the arrest is a"significant blow" to the cryptocrime ecosystem.
Anatoly Legkodymov, 40, a Russian living in Shenzhen, China, was held in Miami overnight on Tuesday and was due to appear in court in the city during the day, the Department of Justice said at a press conference on Wednesday. According to court documents, Legkodymov is the majority shareholder of Hong Kong-registered Bitzlato, which has marketed itself as requiring minimal identification from users.
"Overnight, the Department worked with key partners here and abroad to disrupt Bitzlato, the China-based money laundering engine that fueled a high-tech axis of cryptocrime, and to arrest its founder, Russian national Anatoly Legkodymov."Monaco said that "today's actions send the clear message: whether you break our laws from China or Europe - or abuse our financial system from a tropical island - you can expect to answer for your crimes inside a United States courtroom.
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