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U.S. Department Of Justice Charges Russian Founder Of Cryptocurrency Firm


(file photo)
(file photo)

A Russian national who founded a cryptocurrency exchange that U.S. officials say became a haven for the proceeds of criminal activity, has been arrested, federal officials said on January 18. Anatoly Legkodymov, who lives in China, was arrested on January 17 in Miami on a charge of conducting an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Prosecutors allege that Legkodymov's cryptocurrency exchange Bizlato did not implement required anti-money-laundering safeguards. The Department of Justice said Bizlato conducted cryptocurrency exchanges worth more than $700 million with users of Hydra Market, a darknet marketplace for drugs, fake IDs, and other illegal products. To read the original story by AP, click here.

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