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The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil forfeiture action to seize $7.74 million in cryptocurrency and NFTs allegedly obtained by North Korean IT workers using fraudulent identities to work remotely for blockchain firms. The funds, frozen in April 2023, are tied to a money laundering scheme involving Sim Hyon Sop, a China-based banker, and are stored in various self-custody wallets and Binance accounts. The DOJ's complaint, filed on June 5 in a Washington, DC federal court, details how these workers, operating across multiple countries, used fake documents and laundering methods like chain hopping and token swaps to hide the origins of their earnings, often received in stablecoins such as USDC and USDT. The funds were reportedly intended to be funneled back to the North Korean government. Matthew Galeotti of the DOJ emphasized the department's commitment to safeguarding the crypto ecosystem and blocking North Korea's illicit financial gains. This case reflects a broader trend of North Korea intensifying efforts to infiltrate the crypto industry, with reports indicating a shift in focus to blockchain firms in Europe amid heightened US scrutiny.
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The Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes, released on Tuesday, revealed a closely contested decision to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.5%-3.75%, marking the third reduction this fall. While most officials supported the cut due to concerns about the job market, some advocated for maintaining rates, citing stalled progress toward the 2% inflation target. The minutes highlighted a split in opinions, with some suggesting it could be "some time" before further cuts, depending on economic data and inflation trends. Inflation is expected to remain somewhat elevated in the near term before gradually declining to the target, though uncertainties persist regarding the impact of tariffs on goods prices. Fed Chair Jay Powell adopted a cautious tone, indicating the committee is in a good position to evaluate the economy before deciding on future rate adjustments. The minutes, released with a three-week lag, provide a snapshot of officials’ thinking before newer economic data, including delayed November inflation and labor figures due to a government shutdown, became available. Notably, post-meeting data showed the unemployment rate reaching a four-year high of 4.6% in November, adding complexity to the Fed’s ongoing balancing act between inflation control and labor market stability.
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Gold and silver prices crashed after reaching record highs, with gold futures declining 4.5% to just over $4,340 per troy ounce and silver futures dropping 8.7%, their worst performance since 2021. The downturn followed heightened market tension after the Chicago Mercantile Exchange increased margin requirements for silver futures, forcing leveraged traders to sell or add funds. Additionally, China’s upcoming export restrictions on silver, starting in January, have intensified supply fears, especially given the metal’s critical role in the AI and renewable energy sectors. Silver, the top conductor of electricity, is essential for electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicles, and is currently in a global market deficit, recently added to the US critical minerals list. Despite a remarkable year—silver surged nearly 150% and gold 67%—experts like Bloomberg’s Mike McGlone caution against over-optimism, warning of potential price reversals reminiscent of the 1980 crash following a similar rapid ascent in 1979. Elon Musk also expressed concern over silver’s soaring prices due to its industrial importance. As precious metals like copper and platinum also hit records, the market remains volatile, with calls to take profits amid stretched valuations.
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Silver prices experienced a dramatic decline of over 6% after hitting a record high of $84 an ounce, driven by a speculative rally fueled by Chinese investment demand. The surge saw premiums for spot silver in Shanghai reach an unprecedented $8 above London prices. This frenzy prompted extreme measures in China, including the country’s only pure-play silver fund rejecting new customers after failing to temper investor enthusiasm with risk warnings. Concerns over potential heavy losses grew as the fund’s premium ballooned to over 60% above its underlying assets. Elon Musk weighed in, noting silver’s industrial importance, especially in solar photovoltaics, amid fears of supply shortages with inventories at historic lows. Meanwhile, exchanges like CME Group are raising margins on silver futures to reduce speculation. The rally follows a recent squeeze in the London silver market due to ETF inflows and exports to India, with much of the world’s available silver now in New York pending a US trade probe. Technical indicators suggest the rally may have overheated, with silver trading down 5.5% at $74.95 an ounce, alongside declines in gold, platinum, and palladium. Analysts warn of an extreme speculative atmosphere, exacerbated by hype around tight supply, as China—both a top producer and the largest consumer—continues to influence global silver dynamics.
