Cryptocurrency

CFTC and DOJ’s Charges Against KuCoin

The crypto exchange, KuCoin is facing a double threat from US regulators – the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Both agencies have filed separate lawsuits against KuCoin, alleging violations of different regulations.

CFTC Complaint Targets Unregistered Commodities Trading

The CFTC’s complaint, filed in March 2024, centers on KuCoin’s alleged offering of unregistered commodities. The Commission claims that the exchange facilitated trading in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, and Litecoin without registering with the CFTC. This is classified as a violation of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA).

Read Also: What Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Has To Say about Ripple-SEC Case

“The CFTC alleges that KuCoin allowed its users to engage in off-exchange commodity futures transactions and leveraged margin trading of cryptocurrencies,” a CFTC press release stated. “These activities fall under the CFTC’s regulatory purview, and KuCoin’s failure to register constitutes a violation.”

The CFTC is seeking significant penalties from KuCoin, including disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil monetary penalties, and permanent bans on trading and registration. Additionally, the agency seeks a permanent injunction to prevent KuCoin from further violations of the CEA and CFTC regulations.

DOJ Accuses KuCoin of Anti-Money Laundering Violations

The lawsuit filed by the DOJ targets KuCoin’s alleged violation of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). The DOJ accuses the crypto exchange and its co-founders of failing to implement adequate Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures from July 2019 to June 2023. These procedures are crucial for preventing money laundering and identifying suspicious activity.

“The DOJ alleges that KuCoin did not have a functioning KYC program in place for a significant period,” a source familiar with the case revealed. “This lack of controls allegedly allowed KuCoin to be used for illicit financial activities, facilitating the transfer of billions in suspicious funds.”

The DOJ further claims that KuCoin’s alleged implementation of a KYC program in July 2023 was a sham, undertaken only after the exchange became aware of a government investigation. The lack of proper KYC procedures allegedly exposed the platform to over $4 billion in “suspicious and criminal funds” and resulted in $5 billion in profits from operating outside regulatory scrutiny.

Read Also: Binance to Remove these XRP, SOL, and ADA Products As SEC Targets the Exchange

Not KuCoin’s First Brush with Regulators

These lawsuits are not the first time KuCoin has faced regulatory challenges. In December 2023, the New York Attorney General’s office settled with KuCoin for $22 million, resolving allegations related to unregistered securities offerings.

Similarly, in late 2023, the CFTC and DOJ jointly targeted another major crypto exchange, Binance, in a multi-billion dollar settlement for similar anti-money laundering violations.

The KuCoin cases highlight the increasing focus of US regulatory bodies on the cryptocurrency market. The CFTC and DOJ actions underscore their commitment to ensuring compliance with financial regulations and combating illegal activities within the crypto space.

KuCoin will now have to navigate these legal challenges and potentially face significant penalties and operational changes to satisfy these regulatory demands.


Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, and Google News

Solomon Odunayo

Solomon is a trader, crypto enthusiast, and analyst with over four years of experience in the industry. He strongly believes that crypto assets and the blockchain will continue to gain prominence. At TimesTabloid.com, he focuses on news, articles with deep analysis of blockchain projects, and technical analysis of crypto trading pairs.

Recent Posts

XRP Hits $1.15, Market Cap Surpasses $65 Billion As XRP Targets 3rd Position

Today, November 16, XRP attained a key benchmark after reaching $1, marking a significant moment…

2 hours ago

Top Exchange Announces SHIB Giveaway. Here’s How to Qualify

In a strategic move to expand its presence in the French cryptocurrency market, Cayman Islands-based…

6 hours ago

Invest Wisely: Best Crypto to Buy Now for Maximum Returns

The crypto market offers a golden chance right now. Major coins show strong recovery signals…

7 hours ago

Top Analyst Shows Unique Way for XRP to Hit $33

A recent analysis by prominent cryptocurrency analyst EGRAG CRYPTO (@egragcrypto) shed light on the potential…

7 hours ago

Four Lawmakers Expose Gary Gensler’s SEC Hypocrisy About Ethereum (ETH)

Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett reported on November 15, 2024, that a group of Republican…

8 hours ago

Bitcoin to $200000, Ethereum to $10000, Says Standard Chartered: How This Could Trigger 100x Move For a Rival Token

Standard Chartered has made an interesting prediction in line with the most recent wave of…

8 hours ago