Here’s what happened in crypto today

Need to know what happened in crypto today? Here is the latest news on daily trends and events impacting Bitcoin price, blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, Web3 and crypto regulation.

Representatives from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Binance were in Washington, D.C. for a hearing centered around BAM, the holding company for Binance.US. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act has won the support of nine further senators, a statement from her office said. Meanwhile, crypto platform JPEX has blamed “certain institutions” and “third-party market makers” for causing the ongoing liquidity issues on its platform.

SEC lobs more accusations at Binance 

The SEC claims that wallet provider Ceffu is “Binance-related” in its latest filing against BAM, the holding company for Binance.US.

The redacted filing, which was dated Sept. 18, argues that Binance’s request seeking a protective order against the SEC’s investigation is meritless and calls on the court to deny the request. The filing also raises questions about Ceffu, which the SEC recently flagged for its alleged ties to the Binance exchange.

Ceffu rebranded from Binance in March but “appears to have control of Customer Assets,” the SEC said in a Sept. 14 memorandum.

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SEC seeks court order for inspection of Binance US.

Now expressly calling out that Ceffu is indeed a Binance related entity and that Binance US has been misleading the court. pic.twitter.com/2XZ2kChib3

— Adam Cochran (adamscochran.eth) (@adamscochran) September 18, 2023

In the Sept. 18 filing, the securities regulator wrote: “The limited inspection the SEC has been able to conduct so far demonstrates the urgent need for an inspection. [redacted] The Court should order the inspection the SEC seeks as set forth in its Motion to Compel.”

Representatives from Binance and the SEC were in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 18 for a hearing over the regulator’s motion to compel against BAM.

Nine U.S. senators publicly back Elizabeth Warren’s crypto bill

Nine U.S. senators have added their support to Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, according to a statement from Warren’s office. 

The press release on Warren’s official Senate webpage names Democratic Party Sens. Gary Peters, Dick Durbin, Tina Smith, Jeanne Shaheen, Bob Casey, Richard Blumenthal, Michael Bennet and Catherine Cortez Masto, along with independent Sen. Angus King, as those who joined the bipartisan coalition supporting the bill. Peters is the chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, while Durbin is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Warren herself welcomed the new bill supporters, stating:

“Our expanding coalition shows that Congress is ready to take action — our bipartisan bill is the toughest proposal on the table cracking down on crypto’s illicit use and giving regulators more tools in their toolbox.”

This bill has also been endorsed by Transparency International U.S., Global Financial Integrity, the National District Attorneys Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Consumer Law Center and the National Consumers League.

Warren reintroduced the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, along with Sens. Joe Manchin, Roger Marshall and Lindsey Graham, in July 2023. In the current version, the document intends to crack down on noncustodial digital wallets, extend Bank Secrecy Act responsibilities, establish an Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism compliance examination and implement other legal measures to fight the illicit use of digital money.

Warren believes there is a “$50 billion crypto tax gap,” with the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Treasury risking missing out on roughly $1.5 billion in tax revenue for the 2024 financial year if a tax policy update is delayed.

Crypto platform JPEX blames partners for “maliciously” freezing funds

Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange JPEX has slammed regulators and “third-party market makers” for a liquidity crisis that has seen the platform hike withdrawal fees and suspend certain operations.

In a Sept. 17 blog post, JPEX said “unfair treatment” from certain institutions in Hong Kong, along with negative news, caused its third-party market makers to “maliciously” freeze funds.

“They demanded more information from the platform for negotiation, restricting our liquidity and significantly increasing our daily operating costs, leading to operational difficulties,” it said.

The exchange is currently undergoing a probe by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission for allegedly promoting its services to Hong Kong residents despite not having applied for a license in the country.

Local police in Hong Kong have now received at least 83 complaints concerning the exchange, according to a Sept. 18 report from the South China Morning Post.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.