AustraliaCrypto

🔔 MARKET MOVING NEWS! (30/12/24)

1️⃣ Solana Co-Founder Sued By Ex-Wife Over Millions Worth Of Staked SOL ▶️
#solana
Solana co-founder Stephen Akridge has reportedly been sued by his ex-wife, Elisa Rossi, on allegations that he secretly earned “millions of dollars in staking rewards” from her share of SOL tokens. The complaint states that the pair’s March divorce agreement split ownership of SOL they owned. However, Rossi alleges that Akridge “took advantage of the significant disparity in expertise in cryptocurrencies” to keep control of the tokens and continue earning staking rewards from them.

2️⃣ Malaysia Orders Bybit To Halt Local Operations Over Registration Failure 🔍

Malaysia’s Securities Commission (SC) has reportedly ordered crypto exchange Bybit and its CEO Ben Zhou to suspend the platform’s website, mobile applications, and other digital platforms in Malaysia. It also ordered Bybit to cease all advertising activities to Malaysian investors and discontinue its Telegram support group for Malaysians. The regulator’s orders come on the grounds that Bybit operated a crypto asset trading platform without proper registration. The company has been given 14 business days to do so starting from Dec. 11. Notably, Bybit and Zhou have been included in the regulator’s Investor Alert List since July 2021 for the same regulatory violation.

In a post on the Bybit Malaysia Telegram channel, Bybit stated,

We understand that this may cause some inconvenience. Once we have secured the appropriate licenses, we look forward to reconnecting with you again in the future.

3️⃣ Monthly Bitcoin ATM Additions In Australia Hit 29-Month Streak 🔼
#AustraliaCrypto
According to data from Crypto ATM data tracker Coin ATM Radar, the number of Bitcoin ATMs in Australia has increased monthly for over two years. Specifically, it shows that Australia has maintained a net positive addition of Bitcoin ATMs for the last 29 months. The country now reportedly has a total of 1,359 ATMs, which account for 3.5% of all Bitcoin ATMs globally. While the percentage may seem low, Australia ranks third in the number of Bitcoin ATMs globally. In fact, the number of Bitcoin ATMs in Australia is now almost on par with the amount found in Europe.

4️⃣ Ai16z Considers Tokenomics Overhaul And Launching Layer 1 Blockchain ‼️
#Ai6z
AI agent platform ai16z is reportedly considering launching a Layer 1 blockchain and adjusting its tokenomics. The report states that the team has engaged in initial discussions with contributors to improve the value accrual of its token. The governance proposal states that it plans to introduce a token launchpad similar to pump.fun in the first quarter of 2025. This platform will reportedly be used to deploy AI projects based on its Eliza framework, with its native token to be used as the base currency for agent-to-agent interactions. The launchpad could possibly implement various value capture mechanisms, including launch fees, ai16z token staking for access, and strategic liquidity pool pairings.

5️⃣ Hong Kong Legislator Proposes Adding Bitcoin To National Reserves 💸
#HongKongFinance
Wu Jiexhuang, a Hong Kong legislator has reportedly proposed that the special administrative region enact a policy to include Bitcoin in its national reserve for financial security. Jiexhuang cited the examples of smaller nations, such as El Salvador and Bhutan, as well as certain US states which have integrated Bitcoin into their strategic reserves. He also added that US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to make Bitcoin a strategic reserve asset could have a significant impact on traditional markets. Jiexhuang also suggested that the region should take advantage of China’s “one country, two systems” policy to try including Bitcoin in ETFs before exploring additional ways to increase Hong Kong’s Bitcoin holdings.
#BinanceAlphaAlert $BTC

Iris Au, known as EyeRize and girlfriend of Love Island winner Davide Sanclimenti, faces up to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to failing to report over $2.6 million in income from 2020 to 2023. The income is linked to her ex-boyfriend, Iza, involved in cryptocurrency fraud. Iris allegedly used the illicit funds for personal expenses, including luxury items, highlighting the legal risks associated with unreported crypto earnings.
$BTC
#AustraliaCrypto #cryptouniverseofficial #crypto

Australian financial regulators allege that Brendan Gunn handled funds suspected of being proceeds from criminal activities involving "victim investors" who deposited money for cryptocurrency conversion.
Olympic Athlete’s Brother Accused of Money Laundering in Crypto Scheme
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has charged Brendan Gunn, the brother of Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn, for allegedly engaging in financial transactions linked to potential criminal proceeds. Gunn was operating a fiat-to-crypto conversion company and is now facing legal consequences.
In an official statement released on March 5, ASIC announced that Gunn has been charged with one count of dealing with funds suspected to be proceeds of crime.
“Gunn allegedly processed two bank cheques totaling $181,000, originating from four separate investment transactions made by three victim investors who had deposited funds for conversion into cryptocurrency,” ASIC stated.
Rachael Gunn – From Olympic Fame to a Family Scandal
Rachael Gunn, widely known as "Raygun", gained internet fame for her breakdancing performances at the 2024 Olympics. One of her standout moments was mimicking a kangaroo during her routine, which quickly went viral.
Despite being eliminated early and losing all three of her matches, her brother praised her performance. However, now Brendan Gunn finds himself in the spotlight for an entirely different reason—a crypto-related criminal case.
ASIC: Gunn Ignored Multiple Warnings About Fraud Risks
According to ASIC, Gunn was the director of Mormarkets, a company that facilitated deposits for cryptocurrency conversion.
The regulator alleges that Gunn repeatedly opened new bank accounts under Mormarkets' name to continue accepting and transferring deposits despite multiple account closures due to fraud concerns. ASIC further stated that Gunn was made aware of these concerns but continued his operations regardless.
Gunn Faces Prison Time and a Hefty Fine
Brendan Gunn appeared in local court on March 4, with his next hearing scheduled for April 29. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a fine of $37,800, or both.
ASIC Chairman Joe Longo emphasized that the regulator remains committed to detecting and preventing fraud in financial services and cryptocurrency markets.
No public statements have been issued by Gunn’s legal team regarding the case.
Australian Authorities Tighten Crypto Regulations
This case emerges at a time when Australian regulatory bodies are intensifying their oversight of the crypto sector.
The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) recently took action against 13 remittance service providers and crypto exchanges in February. Additionally, more than 50 other entities are currently under investigation for potential compliance breaches.
In December 2024, AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas stated that the regulator is shifting its focus toward the cryptocurrency industry for 2025, particularly targeting crypto ATM providers suspected of violating anti-money laundering laws.
Moreover, ASIC issued a consultation paper in December, proposing that most digital assets be classified as financial products, which would require crypto businesses to obtain proper licensing to operate legally.

#CryptoNewss , #cryptocurrencies , #Cryptoscam , #AustraliaCrypto , #BTC

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