Germany closes 47 crypto exchanges over money laundering concerns

As a seasoned researcher with a keen interest in the intersection of technology and law enforcement, I find Germany’s relentless pursuit of combating crypto-crime quite intriguing. Having closely followed the evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies, it is clear that Germany is taking a proactive approach to address the challenges posed by anonymity in this digital frontier.


47 cryptocurrency exchange platforms were shut down by German officials as part of their efforts to curb unlawful money laundering operations.

In a statement from the German Federal Criminal Police Office, it was revealed that they, along with the Central Office for Combating Internet Crime, spearheaded an operation aimed at shutting down digital platforms where users could trade both traditional and cryptocurrencies without providing proof of identity.

These interactions facilitated transactions that didn’t require adherence to the “identify-your-user” procedures, a series of guidelines asking individuals to verify their identities prior to engaging in financial dealings.

Skipping the verification process enabled users to trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) swiftly and without revealing their identities. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) claims that these unverified platforms are frequently utilized by criminals to conceal the illicit origins of funds, whether from activities like ransomware attacks or online drug sales on the dark web.

On August 20th, German authorities executed a broad anti-money laundering operation, seizing 13 cryptocurrency Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and approximately $28 million in cash from 35 different locations across the country. The raids, spearheaded by financial regulatory body BaFin, focused on machines functioning without the required licenses, presenting substantial money-laundering hazards.

Germany’s relationship with crypto-crime

Closing down these services forms part of a larger strategy aimed at hampering the structure that enables cybercrime. Law enforcement agencies managed to obtain user and transaction details from these platforms, information that could prove useful in future investigations. This data might aid in identifying individuals who employ these services for money laundering purposes.

The ongoing action is a continuation of previous efforts by German law enforcement. For instance, they confiscated the ChipMixer platform back in 2023, which was linked to laundering approximately €90 million in cryptocurrencies. Moreover, they have been actively disrupting other cybercrime networks, such as those distributing malware, in recent years.

This past summer, Germany and the cryptocurrency sector experienced an exciting turn of events as the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) moved approximately 50,000 Bitcoin confiscated from operators of the notorious piracy movie site Movie2k.to in 2013.

For nearly a month spanning from June to July, Germany transferred and sold all of this Bitcoin, causing the price of the asset to drop. 

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2024-09-19 22:12