Crypto currency
Crypto: Making the World think twice about AML policies
Cryptocurrencies have caught regulators wrong footed
According to Chainalysis, “there is a 1,964% year-over-year increase in the total value of cryptocurrency laundered through DeFi protocols, reaching a total of $900 million in 2021”. This shows the growing demand for AML policies in the crypto space. Crypto exchanges are doing pretty well in terms of Know-Your-Customer client guidelines but nothing much to control money laundering.
In the crypto space, added anonymity is something that’s discussed the most. From the decentralized nature of blockchains to the virtual environment in which digital currencies exiss, everything works together to attract cybercriminals. This along with many other important reasons raise questions about the socioeconomic ethics and legal compliance of this new financial system.- Advertisement –
It doesn’t matter what industry experts, leaders, and enthusiasts have to say, the digital currency proves to be a blessing for those who want to obscure the source of their unlawful proceeds which includes everything from buying illicit goods to ransomware attacks. Therefore, cryptocurrencies have received huge criticism regarding money laundering and other illegal financial proceeds.
Anonymity, ease of use, and borderless reach are the three essential ingredients for online money laundering, and digital currencies have got all of them. To make things work, money launderers take advantage of Bitcoin exchanges and Bitcoin mixing services. Such services provide users with a new and unique Bitcoin address to make deposits. The service provider pays out the recipient from its reserves and manipulates the amount and frequency of transactions to twist the legitimacy resulting in cash outs disassociated with illegal activities. What’s more surprising is that the sky is the spending limit.
The government of Pakistan has recently expressed an immense resistance to use of crypto-currency in any form within the country. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Central Bank have proposed a ban on cryptocurrency. Others supporting the proposal include the Ministry of Finance, SECP, and FIA.
According to the submitted proposal, there has been a huge risk of money laundering and terror financing through cryptocurrencies. It all started after the FIA investigated the suspected scam made by a local arm of Binance in the country. Waqar Zaka, a prominent media personality and crypto entrepreneur in Pakistan, is at the forefront of allowing crypto in the country and has made significant efforts as he continues to believe that digital currency is the only solution to resolve the country’s financial crisis.
At the same time, it is also evident that crypto has now become a global revolution. Any actions taken by only a few or one country against it won’t leave a huge impact on the worldwide crypto space but the country could be left behind others. According to many industry experts, banning crypto in Pakistan might become a huge mistake because it has unique benefits and use cases as well. A recent publication by CoinDesk highlights that many industry leaders are expecting the government to introduce adequate regulations instead of banning cryptocurrency.
Keeping in mind the staggering number provided by Chainalysis, there is a lot of room for money launderers but still, they need intelligent ways to get through it. These cryptographically recorded transactions are publicly recorded and accessed which means each one of them is traceable.
“It cannot be denied that governments and regulatory bodies are making sufficient efforts to control money laundering in the cryptocurrency space. While taking a closer look at the rapidly evolving legislative reforms around the world, it can be concluded that the latest AML developments are all focused to bring realistic and effective resolutions. In addition to that, crypto exchanges are also trying to effectively address the rising concern of money laundering within the system which may help in determining the best actions and systems to control illicit digital/cryptographic financial transactions. “
Most of the crypto exchanges and virtual asset service providers (VASPs) globally operate with considerably less scrutiny and verification process due to which money launderers and cyber criminals prefer it to be the best place to move their ill-gotten funds.
To better combat money laundering in the crypto segments, governments, law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry experts are investing huge time and money to get to the resolution. Yes, it might take some time but industry stakeholders are hopeful to get a complete hold of money laundering in crypto.
The current global financial system is fully governed and controlled by the governments, their regulatory bodies, and an international association of key industry stakeholders. It is governed and regulated by a set of universal policies, legislations, and legal bindings which also includes the anti-money laundering (AML) laws and regulations.
In the crypto space, AML refers to having a similar set of legal obligations and policies that can identify, track, resolve, and eliminate money laundering in digital currencies. It might look like developing just another set of statutes from scratch but a few elements have made it a huge dilemma for everyone in the crypto world.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), The European Commission, and regulatory authorities from other countries are in the pursuit to introduce new effective regulations that can control money laundering in the cryptocurrency space.
On October 6, 2021, US Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco made an announcement about the creation of a National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) with a primary focus on dealing effectively with criminal/unlawful use of cryptocurrency, more specifically in terms of virtual currency money laundering, mixing and tumbling services — and other similar activities.
What are the prominent AML developments in Crypto?
In the USA, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 which encompasses many new reforms made in accordance to effectively address money laundering in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. The European Union has also proposed a recast of many regulations to extend its anti-money laundering scope to transfers of crypto-assets.
On December 1, 2021, Slovenian Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj said, “Today’s agreement is an important step towards closing the gaps in our financial systems that are malevolently used by criminals to launder unlawful gains or finance terrorist activities. Crypto-assets are more and more at risk of being exploited for money laundering and criminal purposes, and I’m glad the Council could make swift progress on this urgent proposal”.
Another notable reform made to the existing AML Act is the revision of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) which also covers the Corporate Transparency Act of 2019, the Illicit CASH Act of 2020 and the STIFLE Act of 2020. This includes an amendment of Section 5312 which now explains “money instrument” as “value that substitutes for any monetary instrument.” This along with many other key legislative reforms reflect considerable progression in terms of developing and imposing improved AML regulations and policies globally.
In addition to that, financial institutions are now required to provide key customer information to FinCEN in case of any transaction that exceeds a cryptocurrency worth of $10,000 on their platform as well as unhosted wallets that can bypass the conventional financial institutions and their controls over the transactions. Moreover, Banks and Fintechs are also required to record such transactions and cash flows that exceed a cryptocurrency worth $3,000.
It cannot be denied that governments and regulatory bodies are making sufficient efforts to control money laundering in the cryptocurrency space. While taking a closer look at the rapidly evolving legislative reforms around the world, it can be concluded that the latest AML developments are all focused to bring realistic and effective resolutions.
In addition to that, crypto exchanges are also trying to effectively address the rising concern of money laundering within the system which may help in determining the best actions and systems to control illicit digital/cryptographic financial transactions.
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Startups
Gold and Bitcoin Are Rallying Together. That Almost Never Happens.
Bitcoin climbed more than 2% to surpass $61,000 on the same day gold rose after a weaker-than-expected US jobs report, an unusual simultaneous rally across two assets that typically don’t move in tandem, driven by institutional buyers and long-term holders repositioning for a more accommodative Federal Reserve, according to Google Finance’s market summary.
A Rare Joint Rally
Gold and Bitcoin have historically diverged more often than they’ve converged, gold as the traditional inflation hedge and safe haven, Bitcoin as a higher-volatility asset that has behaved more like a risk-on tech proxy than digital gold for much of its history. Their simultaneous rise this week reflects a market pricing in the same underlying catalyst through two different channels: falling expectations for further Federal Reserve tightening. Gold’s rally follows a pattern established earlier in the year, when the metal jumped over 1% and touched a near one-week high immediately after the preliminary US-Iran peace deal was announced, according to CNBC’s coverage of that earlier move.
UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo offered the clearest explanation of the mechanism at the time, telling CNBC that “market participants are pricing out rate hikes due to lower oil prices, which is lifting the yellow metal,” while cautioning that “near-term, I would expect some consolidation, until we get some clarity from the Fed.” That same dynamic, falling oil prices reducing inflation risk and therefore rate-hike expectations, has now resurfaced following the June jobs report, with gold benefiting from both a weaker dollar and reduced rate-hike odds simultaneously.
The Institutional Bitcoin Story
Bitcoin’s rally carries a distinct institutional dimension. Google Finance’s markets summary attributes the move specifically to “renewed accumulation from long-term holders and institutional buyers like MetaPlanet,” a pattern that reflects Bitcoin’s gradual evolution over the past several years from a primarily retail-driven speculative asset toward one with meaningful institutional balance-sheet demand. That shift matters for how the asset now correlates with macro catalysts: institutional buyers accumulating Bitcoin in response to easing Fed expectations behave more like traditional macro-driven capital allocation than the retail momentum trading that characterized earlier Bitcoin cycles.
Why the Dollar Is the Common Thread
Both rallies trace back to the same currency mechanic. When the preliminary US-Iran deal was announced in mid-June, the US dollar fell to a 10-day low, making dollar-priced gold more affordable for holders of other currencies and providing a direct tailwind to bullion prices independent of any change in underlying demand, per CNBC’s reporting. A weaker dollar similarly benefits Bitcoin, both because dollar-denominated crypto becomes cheaper for international buyers and because a softer greenback typically accompanies the kind of looser monetary policy expectations that favor scarce, non-yield-bearing assets over cash.
Oil’s Falling Price Is the Real Driver
The connective tissue linking gold, Bitcoin, and Fed policy expectations back to a single root cause is the trajectory of oil prices. WTI crude fell nearly 2% to just above $68 a barrel in the days before the June jobs report, down almost 20% over the prior two weeks, according to Schwab’s market update, as indirect US-Iran talks showed signs of progress. Falling oil prices reduce the clearest transmission channel through which the Strait of Hormuz disruption has been pushing global inflation higher since February, and it is precisely that reduced inflation risk, not any independent safe-haven flight from equities, that appears to be driving the current gold and Bitcoin strength.
This distinguishes the current rally from a classic crisis-driven flight to safety. Equity markets were simultaneously hitting records, with the Dow closing at an all-time high of 52,900.07 the same day gold and Bitcoin advanced, according to Google Finance’s coverage, meaning investors were not fleeing risk assets into safe havens so much as repricing the entire asset spectrum, stocks, gold, and crypto alike, around the same underlying expectation of easier Fed policy ahead.
What Could Break the Pattern
The joint rally’s durability depends heavily on two unresolved questions already shaping markets elsewhere: whether the June US-Iran peace deal holds through the summer, given the pattern of repeated violations and re-escalations that followed an earlier April ceasefire attempt, and whether the Federal Reserve’s July 30 decision validates the market’s current dovish positioning. Any renewed disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a real possibility given continued vessel attacks reported as recently as late June, would likely reverse the oil-price decline that has been the common driver behind both assets’ recent strength, sending inflation expectations, and by extension rate-hike odds, back higher in a move that would complicate the easy-money narrative currently supporting both gold and Bitcoin simultaneously.
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AI
‘That doesn’t exist’: The Quiet, Chaotic End of Elon Musk’s DOGE
DOGE is dead. Following a statement from OPM Director Scott Kupor that the agency “doesn’t exist”, we analyse how Musk’s “chainsaw” approach failed to survive Washington.
If T.S. Eliot were covering the Trump administration, he might note that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ended not with a bang, but with a bureaucrat from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) politely telling a reporter, “That doesn’t exist.”
Today, November 24, 2025, marks the official, unceremonious end of the most explosive experiment in modern governance. Eight months ahead of its July 2026 deadline, the agency that promised to “delete the mountain” of federal bureaucracy has been quietly dissolved. OPM Director Scott Kupor confirmed the news this morning, stating the department is no longer a “centralised entity.”
It is a fittingly chaotic funeral for a project that was never built to last. DOGE wasn’t an agency; it was a shock therapy stunt that mistook startup velocity for sovereign governance. And as of today, the “Deep State” didn’t just survive the disruption—it absorbed it.
The Chainsaw vs. The Scalpel
In January 2025, Elon Musk stood on a stage brandishing a literal chainsaw, promising to slice through the red tape of Washington. It was great television. It was terrible management.
The fundamental flaw of DOGE was the belief that the U.S. government operates like a bloatware-ridden tech company. Musk and his co-commissioner Vivek Ramaswamy applied the “move fast and break things” philosophy to federal statutes that require public comment periods and congressional oversight.
For a few months, it looked like it was working. The unverified claims of “billions saved” circulated on X (formerly Twitter) daily. But you cannot “bug fix” a federal budget. When the “chainsaw” met the rigid wall of administrative law, the blade didn’t cut—it shattered. The fact that the agency is being absorbed by the OPM—the very heart of the federal HR bureaucracy—is the ultimate irony. The disruptors have been filed away, likely in triplicate.
The Musk Exodus: A Zombie Agency Since May
Let’s be honest: DOGE didn’t die today. It died in May 2025.
The moment Elon Musk boarded his jet back to Texas following the public meltdown over President Trump’s budget bill, the soul of the project evaporated. The reported Trump-Musk feud over the “Big, Beautiful Bill”—which Musk criticized as a debt bomb—severed the agency’s political lifeline.
For the last six months, DOGE has been a “zombie agency,” staffed by true believers with no captain. While the headlines today focus on the official disbanding, the reality is that Washington’s immune system rejected the organ transplant half a year ago. The remaining staff, once heralded as revolutionaries, are now quietly updating their LinkedIns or engaging in the most bureaucratic act of all: transferring to other departments.
The Human Cost of “Efficiency”
While we analyze the political theatre, we cannot ignore the wreckage left in the wake of this experiment. Reports indicate over 200,000 federal workers have been displaced, either through the aggressive layoffs of early 2025 or the “voluntary” buyouts that followed.
These weren’t just “wasteful” line items; they were safety inspectors, grant administrators, and veteran civil servants. The federal workforce cuts impact will be felt for years, not in money saved, but in phones that go unanswered at the VA and permits that sit in limbo at the EPA.
Conclusion: The System Always Wins
The absorption of DOGE functions into the OPM and the transfer of high-profile staff like Joe Gebbia to the new “National Design Studio” proves a timeless Washington truth: The bureaucracy is fluid. You can punch it, scream at it, and even slash it with a chainsaw, but it eventually reforms around the fist.
Musk’s agency is gone. The Department of Government Efficiency news cycle is over. But the regulations, the statutes, and the OPM remain. In the battle between Silicon Valley accelerationism and D.C. incrementalism, the tortoise just beat the hare. Again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why was DOGE disbanded ahead of schedule?
Officially, the administration claims the work is done and functions are being “institutionalized” into the OPM. However, analysts point to the departure of Elon Musk in May 2025 and rising political friction over the aggressive nature of the cuts as the primary drivers for the early closure.
Did DOGE actually save money?
It is disputed. While the agency claimed to identify hundreds of billions in savings, OPM Director Scott Kupor and other officials have admitted that “detailed public accounting” was never fully verified. The long-term costs of severance packages and rehiring contractors may offset initial savings.
What happens to DOGE employees now?
Many have been let go. However, select high-level staff have been reassigned. For example, Joe Gebbia has reportedly moved to the “National Design Studio,” and others have taken roles at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
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crypto
HyperVerse Scheme: How It Caught Fire Online with Astonishing Returns and Cult Overtones
Introduction
The HyperVerse scheme was a virtual world that promised its investors astonishing returns and perfect life. It quickly caught fire online and attracted thousands of people from around the world. However, videos promoting the alleged Ponzi scheme and the senior promoters living the high life concealed the reality of huge financial losses for many.

The rise of HyperVerse was fueled by the allure of a perfect virtual world where people could live their dreams. The scheme promised its investors a chance to earn high returns by buying virtual land and leasing it to others. However, the reality was far from perfect, as many investors lost their hard-earned money. Despite the warnings from financial regulators, many people continued to invest in the scheme, driven by the hope of making quick profits.
The collapse of HyperVerse left many people disillusioned and angry. The senior promoters of the scheme disappeared, leaving investors with nothing. The collapse of the scheme highlights the dangers of investing in unregulated schemes and the need for caution when investing in virtual worlds.
Key Takeaways
- The HyperVerse scheme promised astonishing returns and a perfect virtual world, but it turned out to be a Ponzi scheme that caused huge financial losses for many investors.
- The allure of a perfect virtual world and the hope of making quick profits drove many people to invest in the scheme, despite the warnings from financial regulators.
- The collapse of HyperVerse highlights the dangers of investing in unregulated schemes and the need for caution when investing in virtual worlds.
The Rise of HyperVerse

HyperVerse was a virtual world that promised astonishing returns to its investors. The scheme caught fire online, thanks to the promotional tactics used by its senior promoters. However, for thousands around the world, the reality was a huge financial loss.
Promotional Tactics
HyperVerse used bizarre videos to promote its alleged Ponzi scheme. The videos showed senior promoters living the high life, driving luxury cars and jets, and attending exclusive parties. These videos were designed to create a sense of urgency and excitement among potential investors.
HyperVerse also used social media and online forums to spread the word about its virtual world. The scheme promised to create a perfect virtual world where users could live out their dreams. The promise of a perfect world, combined with the prospect of high returns, attracted thousands of investors from around the world.
Cult Overtones
As the scheme grew, it began to take on cult overtones. Senior promoters were treated like gurus, and investors were encouraged to recruit others into the scheme. Those who questioned the legitimacy of the scheme were dismissed as naysayers and non-believers.
Investors were also encouraged to invest more money into the scheme, with the promise of even higher returns. Those who invested the most money were given special privileges, such as access to exclusive events and virtual worlds.
In conclusion, the rise of HyperVerse was fueled by its promotional tactics and cult-like atmosphere. While some investors made money, many others suffered huge financial losses. The lesson to be learned is that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The Collapse

Financial Fallout
As the HyperVerse scheme came crashing down, thousands of investors around the world were left with huge financial losses. The alleged Ponzi scheme had promised astonishing returns, but the reality was a devastating financial blow for many. According to reports, the scheme had raised more than $1 billion from investors, but the money had been largely squandered on luxury cars, yachts, and other extravagant expenses.
Many investors who had put their life savings into the scheme were left with nothing. Some reported losing tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The collapse of the scheme sent shockwaves through the online community, with many people expressing anger and frustration at the senior promoters who had lived the high life while others suffered.
Legal Actions
In the aftermath of the collapse, legal actions were taken against the perpetrators of the scheme. Several senior promoters were arrested and charged with fraud, money laundering, and other crimes. However, for many investors, the legal actions provided little consolation for their financial losses.
Despite the collapse of the HyperVerse scheme, the online world continued to be a breeding ground for similar schemes and scams. The lure of astonishing returns and the promise of a perfect virtual world proved to be a powerful draw for many people, and the collapse of the HyperVerse scheme served as a stark reminder of the risks involved in investing in unregulated online ventures.
Life Inside the Scheme

The HyperVerse scheme promised its investors astonishing returns and a “perfect virtual world,” but for many, it turned out to be a financial nightmare. As the scheme caught fire online, bizarre videos promoted the alleged Ponzi scheme, and senior promoters lived the high life.
Senior Promoters’ Lifestyle
Senior promoters of the HyperVerse scheme lived lavishly, flaunting their wealth on social media. They were often seen driving luxury cars, traveling to exotic destinations, and attending high-end events. Some even claimed to have purchased private islands.
However, for the thousands of investors who poured their hard-earned money into the scheme, the reality was far from glamorous. Many lost their life savings, and some were left with huge debts.
The senior promoters of the HyperVerse scheme have since faced legal action, with some even being arrested for their involvement in the alleged Ponzi scheme. Despite the promises of a “perfect virtual world,” the reality of life inside the scheme was one of financial ruin and shattered dreams.
The Allure of a Perfect Virtual World

The HyperVerse scheme promised investors a “perfect virtual world” where they could earn astonishing returns. The idea of a virtual world where one could earn a fortune without leaving the comfort of their own home was very alluring to many people.
The scheme was marketed heavily on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bizarre videos featuring people dressed in futuristic costumes and promoting the scheme were shared widely on these platforms. The videos promised investors that they would be able to earn huge returns on their investment in a matter of weeks.
The allure of the HyperVerse scheme was also fueled by the fact that senior promoters of the scheme were living the high life. They posted pictures on social media platforms of themselves driving luxury cars, traveling to exotic locations, and staying in five-star hotels. This created the impression that the scheme was legitimate and that investors would be able to enjoy the same lifestyle if they invested in the scheme.
However, for thousands of people around the world, the reality was a huge financial loss. The HyperVerse scheme turned out to be a Ponzi scheme, where early investors were paid using the money of new investors. When the scheme collapsed, many investors lost their life savings.
In conclusion, the allure of a perfect virtual world where one can earn huge returns without leaving the comfort of their own home was very alluring to many people. However, the reality of the HyperVerse scheme was very different, and many people ended up losing their money.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HyperVerse scheme and how does it operate?
The HyperVerse scheme is an alleged Ponzi scheme that promised investors high returns on their investments through a virtual world platform. The scheme operated by recruiting new investors and using their money to pay off older investors. The virtual world platform was supposed to generate revenue through in-game purchases, but there is no evidence to suggest that this was actually happening.
What are the signs that suggest HyperVerse might be a Ponzi scheme?
There are several signs that suggest that HyperVerse might be a Ponzi scheme. Firstly, the promised returns are too good to be true. Secondly, the scheme relies on recruiting new investors to pay off older investors. Thirdly, there is no clear explanation of how the virtual world platform generates revenue.
How have HyperVerse promoters been living a high life, and what evidence supports this?
Senior promoters of HyperVerse have been seen living the high life, with reports of luxury cars, private jets, and expensive vacations. Bizarre videos promoting the scheme also suggest that the promoters were spending money lavishly. However, it is unclear where the money for these expenses came from.
What type of financial losses have been reported by those involved in HyperVerse?
Thousands of investors around the world have reported huge financial losses as a result of investing in HyperVerse. Some investors have reported losing their life savings, while others have reported losing smaller amounts of money.
How did HyperVerse manage to gain popularity and spread online?
HyperVerse managed to gain popularity and spread online through a combination of social media marketing and word of mouth. Bizarre videos promoting the scheme were shared widely on social media platforms, and many people were drawn in by the promise of high returns.
What legal actions are being taken against HyperVerse for its alleged fraudulent activities?
Several legal actions are being taken against HyperVerse for its alleged fraudulent activities. The scheme has been shut down in some countries, and the promoters are facing criminal charges in others. However, it is unclear whether investors will be able to recover their lost funds.
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