Scams

X is rolling out an "auto-locking and verification" policy that will temporarily lock accounts the first time they post about cryptocurrency and require identity checks before the post can proceed. The change, shared by X Head of Product Nikita Bier via Wu Blockchain on April 2, 2026, is aimed at reducing scams tied to hacked celebrity accounts and newly created scam profiles.

Three crypto market-making executives extradited from Singapore appeared in federal court in Oakland on Monday, as US prosecutors expanded a wash-trading case to 10 foreign nationals tied to four firms. The US Justice Department said the matter traces conduct back to 2018 and alleges coordinated trading used to inflate token prices and volumes; the broader crackdown grew out of an undercover operation unsealed in October 2024.

US authorities unsealed an indictment accusing Maryland resident Jonathan Spalletta of hacking Uranium Finance in April 2021 and stealing more than $54 million across two exploits. Prosecutors allege some of the funds were later used to buy collectibles such as Pokémon cards, antique Roman coins and fabric from the Wright brothers' plane, and say he faces charges that carry up to 30 years in prison.

Canada introduced the proposed Strong and Free Elections Act on March 26, 2026, seeking to amend the Canada Elections Act and limit how federal parties, third parties, candidates, and donors can finance political activity. The draft would block "hard-to-trace" contributions including cryptocurrency, money orders, and prepaid cards, and raise administrative penalties to as much as $25,000 for individuals and $100,000 for organizations.

Canada’s federal government introduced the Strong and Free Elections Act on Thursday, proposing to ban political parties and election-related third parties from accepting donations in cryptocurrency, money orders and prepaid cards. The proposal cites concerns that these payment methods can enable anonymous or difficult-to-trace contributions and could be exploited for foreign interference. The bill also outlines penalties that could reach twice the contributed amount, plus $25,000 for individuals and $100,000 for corporate entities.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office sanctioned Xinbi on March 26, 2026, a Chinese-language crypto guarantee marketplace accused of processing $19.9 billion in illicit crypto flows from 2021 to 2025. The move freezes any UK-linked assets and bans UK banks, crypto firms, and individuals from dealing with the platform, also naming Thet Li, Hu Xiaowei, and Cambodia-based entities tied to the #8 Park scam compound.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office announced Thursday that it has sanctioned Xinbi, a Chinese-language crypto marketplace accused of supporting fraud operators across Southeast Asia. Chainalysis estimates nearly $20 billion in illicit funds moved through the platform between 2021 and 2025, and the measures freeze UK-linked assets while barring UK banks, crypto firms, and citizens from dealing with it.

The UK government has sanctioned Xinbi, a Chinese-language crypto “guarantee marketplace,” aiming to cut the platform off from what it described as the legitimate crypto ecosystem. The measures include freezing any UK-linked assets and banning UK businesses and individuals from providing goods, services, loans or investments to Xinbi. Chainalysis estimates Xinbi processed more than $19.9 billion in illicit flows between 2021 and 2025.

The UK government has sanctioned Xinbi, a crypto-linked marketplace it says supported scam centres across Southeast Asia. Announced in a statement on 26 March, the measures aim to cut the platform off from legitimate crypto rails by restricting its ability to send and receive funds. The action also targets people and entities connected to the "#8 Park" compound in Cambodia, which is believed to have capacity for up to 20,000 workers.

On March 26, 2026, Essen Medical Associates agreed to pay $4 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit tied to a data breach affecting current or former patients. Eligible class members can seek up to $5,000 for documented losses, or choose a $100 payment without providing proof; key deadlines run from May 4 to July 7.