on the crypto
As is known, suspicions rain down from many sides cryptocurrency, accused in particular of being it ideal tool for cleaning up capitals of dubious or illicit origin. An accusation that over the past few months has come back several times to appear in the statements of important personalities from the political and financial world. As it did recently Neil Wals, Director of Global Cybercrime Program of the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime, who did not hesitate to say that precisely virtual currencies have made the fight against money laundering harder, as well as proving to be an excellent tool for terrorist activities.
It was just as hard then Steven Mnuchin, the United States Treasury Secretary, who in turn had declared his intention by government agencies to prevent Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies from being transformed into an "equivalent of numbered bank accounts in Switzerland".
The mayor of Vancouver proposes the ban to the ATMs of BTC and cryptocurrency
To reopen the front was then Kennedy Stewart, the mayor of the city of Vancouver, in Canada, which has not had excessive qualms in declaring its intention to consider the ban on Bitcoin ATMs and other virtual currencies. Intention arising from the concern that these machines may prove to be a valuable tool for money laundering, as reported by Next Web last June. A statement that naturally aroused a certain sensation, precisely in light of the fact that there are more and more ATMs dedicated to BTC and Altcoin in North America.
Why Stewart's statements?
Also according to Next Web, the first citizen of the Canadian city would have reported his intention after viewing a police report, published by the portal, which states very clearly that criminals could easily purchase an ATM for Bitcoin in order to make it easier to wash the capital to be cleaned up. An operation of this kind would involve the use of a few thousand dollars, a real investment thanks to which it would be possible to deposit the offending cash on the machine in order to profit from it, while eliminating transaction fees which would instead be necessary if alternative routes were practiced.
BTC recycling cases are increasing exponentially
To understand the level of the alarm on the issue of money laundering through the use of cryptocurrencies, it should be remembered that the authorities plan to receive no less than 840 reports relating to digital currency during this year, i.e. three times the number of reports produced in the previous twelve months. In addition to Vancouver, also the city council of Richmond was interested in the matter, while the province of British Columbia in turn, has scheduled an investigation into the topic.
In support of these initiatives it is necessary to remember as second coinatmrad is, are now 694 cryptocurrency ATMs in Canada, of which 76 in Vancouver. A number that is of great concern to local authorities, precisely in light of the many complaints from the most disparate institutions.
