As a seasoned researcher with extensive experience delving into the complexities of global finance and regulatory policies, I find myself increasingly intrigued by the disparity between the scrutiny faced by the burgeoning cryptocurrency sector and the seemingly lax oversight afforded to traditional banking institutions.
Stuart Alderoty, the Chief Legal Officer at Ripple Labs, criticized U.S. regulatory bodies for disproportionately scrutinizing the cryptocurrency sector during money laundering investigations, despite granting immunity to conventional banks in similar instances.
In his latest post, Alderoty highlighted the New York Federal Reserve’s suspected part in facilitating large-scale illegal transactions, even those linked to terrorist organizations, as an indication that cryptocurrencies may not be the main offender in this regard.
Iraqi Banks Reportedly Used Fed System to Launder Money
His criticism follows a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) story that exposed significant gaps in the New York Fed’s anti-money laundering measures.
The article uncovered evidence that, over multiple years, certain Iraqi financial institutions—including ones belonging to a banker named Ali Ghulam—illegally transferred billions of dollars using the Federal Reserve system. It’s believed some of this money may have been sent to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard and associated militias.
The Federal Reserve took action against the problematic banks, but according to a Wall Street Journal report, this occurred following over a decade of inaction, despite receiving alerts from the Pentagon regarding the suspicious financial transactions.
Using instances like these, Alderoty contends that organizations such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Federal Reserve have been unjustifiably critical of cryptocurrencies, while ignoring or overlooking more substantial offenses in the conventional banking industry.
Less Than 1% of Crypto Transactions Linked to Illegal Activities
His concerns echo those of other crypto advocates, such as pro-XRP lawyer John Deaton, who previously shared striking statistics showing that less than 1% of crypto transactions are tied to illicit activities. In comparison, between $800 billion and $2 trillion is reportedly laundered annually through the traditional financial system, according to data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
Additionally, the Republican nominee for the Massachusetts Senate position highlighted news articles suggesting that prominent banking institutions like HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America have allegedly facilitated the laundering of huge amounts of money for drug trafficking organizations and illicit activities.
Even though this information contradicts it, U.S. regulatory bodies continue to prioritize cryptocurrencies, with officials even pointing fingers at digital assets for recent bank collapses – a strategy that has been likened to Operation Choke Point 2.0.
Previously, during an interview with Bloomberg, Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, expressed concerns about the negative impact of the U.S. government’s hostile stance towards cryptocurrency on the sector’s expansion.
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2024-09-11 21:14