US targeting Bitcoin exchanges in hunt for drug money

A crest of the Federal Bureau of Investi


While Bitcoin tries to go mainstream, many supporters still celebrate its "anarchist spirit" -- but certainly not the FBI. According to the WSJ , they're probing the now-collapsed Mt. Gox exchange and several others in connection to Silk road, the notorious former drug marketplace. Authorities recently arrested its founder, Ross Albrecht, and charged him with money laundering, drug trafficking and other offenses. They've reportedly now issued subpoenas to exchanges including Mt. Gox, looking to see if they gave Silk Road crooks hard currency in exchange for Bitcoins. The investigation has just started, but such businesses now seem to be in the fed's cross-hairs -- despite the underworld's love for cryptocurrency, they still need cold cash.


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Via: Reuters


Source: WSJ






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