Hello! It’s October 30, and we’re tracking today’s top stories: Raiffeisen slashes Russia loans after ECB pressure, DOJ charges crypto operator with laundering Silk Road money, how the Houthis went from ragtag rebels to global threat, U.S. probes Bank of America over AML concerns, and much more…

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🎯 Raiffeisen Slashes Russia Loans, Deposits Due to ECB Pressure. The ECB’s order came after stalling efforts to sell the unit, hindered by sanctions in both Russia and the West. Bloomberg

Top Stories

🌎 DOJ charges crypto exchange operator with laundering Silk Road money. Pilipis is charged with five counts of money laundering and two counts of willfully failing to file a tax return. Cointelegraph

🎙️ Illicit Edge Original: Undercover Agent Exposes Silk Road’s Dark Web Empire Designated 

🌎 How the Houthis Went From Ragtag Rebels to Global Threat. The Gaza war has allowed the Iran-backed group to broaden alliances with Iraqi militias, African jihadists and Russia. WSJ

🚩 Arrests and Spying Charges Alarm Diplomats and Aid Workers in Yemen NYT 

🌎 U.S. May Take Action Against Bank of America Over Money Laundering, Zelle. Authorities have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with international banks’ programs for detecting, thwarting, and reporting illicit cashflows. Bloomberg 

🌎 Russia, China and Cuba spread misinformation about US hurricane response. A Russian state-owned news agency shared an AI-generated image on Telegram depicting a flooded Disney World. CNN 

🌎 Election Fraud Conspiracy Theories Are Already Thriving Online.  Pro-Trump groups have spent years building election denial networks that have created a toxic information ecosystem. Wired

🔐 Partner Policy Brief: Defending U.S. Democracy Against Crypto–Driven Foreign Interference in the 2024 Presidential Election Illicit Edge 

🌎 President Biden Thanks Nigerian President for Binance Executive’s Release. Biden also praised the creation of a new bilateral working group focused on crypto and illicit finance. CoinDesk 

🎙️ Illicit Edge Original: Bring Tigran Home – An American Unjustly Detained in Nigeria Designated

🌎 How American Sanctions Fuel Terrible Climate Policy Around the World. Reducing foreign governments’ revenue means reducing the money they have to implement climate mitigation policies. TNR 

🌎 Crypto Ghosted in U.S. Treasury Department's New Strategy on Financial Inclusion. The only mention of crypto refers to its risks – a contrast to Kamala Harris' positive tone on the campaign trail. CoinDesk

Russia

🇷🇺 BIS Debates Ending Project Eyed by Putin to Undermine Dollar Bloomberg 

🇷🇺 US demands premium for supporting €45B loan to Ukraine Politico 

🇷🇺 Sanctions for Russian disinformation linked to Kate rumors BBC 

🇷🇺 Russia’s ‘Midnight Blizzard’ hackers target government workers in novel info-stealing campaign Record

China

🇨🇳 Chinese hackers targeted Eric Trump’s and Jared Kushner’s call data CNN 

🇨🇳 US finalizes curbs on investing in Chinese tech AFP 

🇨🇳 Despite US sanctions, China has enough AI processors to build the world's largest AI training cluster Tom’s

🇨🇳 Bitmain Denies Allegations Tying It to Huawei Supply Chain Investigation Decrypt

Corruption & Financial Crime

💸 Jon Tester Says He's Concerned About 'Rich Folks' Buying Up Montana's Land–But He Keeps Cashing Their Checks Free Beacon

💸 Trillium investor gets prison time for fake $4B Getty Images takeover bid Reuters

💸 Malaysia Court Orders Ex-PM Najib to Defend More 1MDB Charges Bloomberg 

💸 UK, EU and Canada impose new sanctions targeting Myanmar military Reuters 

💸 Belgian Court Convicts 119 in Sky ECC Case OCCRP

Crypto & Cyber

🔐 Massive hack-for-hire scandal rocks Italian political elites Politico

🔐 BIS project demonstrates automated cross-border transaction compliance Cointelegraph 

🔐 FTX's $228M Settlement With Bybit Brings Conclusion of Epic Liquidation Closer CoinDesk

🔐 Binance Unveils 'Binance Wealth' for Elite Customers CoinDesk 

“Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.”
—Mark Twain

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