Taiwan Indicts 14 in $75M Crypto Laundering Case

Taiwanese authorities indicted 14 individuals involved in a $75M cryptocurrency laundering scandal. The scheme involved over 1,500 victims and unlicensed crypto exchanges like “CoinW” and “BiXiang Technology Co., Ltd.“

The ringleader Shi Qiren, faces a recommended 25-year sentence. The accused operated 40 fake storefronts, laundering funds through fabricated regulatory claims.

Taiwanese Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor, Shilin District Prosecutor’s Office, “We are charging 14 individuals who operated unlicensed exchanges and were involved in the fraudulent laundering of approximately $75 million.”

Prosecutors seized NT$1.275 billion ($41.4M), $3.13M in bank deposits, and 640,000 USDT. The scandal also saw the confiscation of luxury vehicles and other assets.

The laundering activities were masked with fraudulent claims of regulatory approval. This led to significant financial disruptions and regulatory action in the crypto market.

This case underscores Taiwan’s commitment to combating crypto fraud. The government continues to enhance its regulatory framework against unlicensed exchanges.

Future outcomes may include tighter regulations and increased scrutiny on crypto operations. Historical precedents in Taiwan show increased enforcement against unlicensed exchanges similar to the “BitShine” case.