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How El Mencho’s CJNG Cartel Used Crypto to Support Operations

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El Mencho Reward Poster

One of the world’s most wanted drug lords is dead. Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” was killed on Sunday. His death triggered a wave of violence across several Mexican states.

Beyond the security impact, attention is also turning to the cartel’s financial operations. In recent years, regulators and researchers have documented how Mexican criminal networks have incorporated cryptocurrency into their operations.

Who was El Mencho?

El Mencho was among Mexico’s most wanted fugitives and the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel. According to the US Department of State, the CJNG was formed in 2009. It has since evolved into one of the most violent drug cartels in Mexico.

“It has been assessed to have the highest cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine trafficking capacity in Mexico, and over the past few years, includes the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States,” the text reads. 

On February 20, 2025, the United States officially designated the cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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In addition, the US State Department had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to the capture or conviction of El Mencho. He was killed on Sunday during a military operation.

El Mencho Reward Poster
El Mencho Reward Poster. Source: US Department of State

Following his death, unrest spread across parts of the country. According to the BBC, at least 20 states experienced disturbances as cartel members blocked roads and torched vehicles and businesses.

While the immediate fallout played out in the streets, past data shows that CJNG’s impact has extended beyond territorial control.

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Over the past years, investigators have tracked the cartel’s increasingly sophisticated financial infrastructure. This includes its use of digital assets to move and launder funds across borders.

Crypto and Cartel Finance

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) are not inherently illicit. They are widely used for legitimate investment, payments, and financial innovation. 

However, regulatory and law enforcement agencies have identified instances in which these digital assets were used in transactions linked to illegal activities. 

As early as 2020, Reuters reported that US and Mexican authorities observed an increasing use of Bitcoin among major drug trafficking groups, including the CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel, for laundering money.

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In 2024, the US Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) stated that Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations were using virtual currencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, and Tether, to purchase fentanyl precursor chemicals and equipment from suppliers in China.

A March 2025 report by Chainalysis found that suspected China-based chemical traders received more than $37.8 million in cryptocurrency between 2018 and 2023. Major Mexican cartels, including the CJNG, were identified as buyers of these precursors used to manufacture synthetic opioids.

“Blockchain analysis reveals that precursor chemical suppliers advertise directly on darknet markets and messaging apps, accepting digital assets in exchange for chemicals shipped to Mexico. Once paid, crypto funds are laundered through complex transaction patterns including peel chains, layering, and cross-chain swaps, and often cashed out through Chinese exchanges or international mules,” TRM Labs revealed.

In August 2025, FinCEN also highlighted that the CJNG, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and other Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations were using Chinese money laundering networks (CMLNs) to launder illicit proceeds.

Notably, Chainalysis reported that CMLNs now play a dominant role in cryptocurrency-related money laundering. In 2025, these networks accounted for approximately 20% of known cryptocurrency money laundering activity.

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While the activity has scaled, regulatory focus has also intensified. According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Paul Campo, a former DEA official, and Robert Sensi were indicted for conspiring to provide material support to CJNG.

“As part of the scheme, CAMPO and SENSI agreed to launder approximately $12,000,000 of CJNG narcotics proceeds; laundered approximately $750,000 by converting cash into cryptocurrency; and provided a payment for approximately 220 kilograms of cocaine on the understanding that the payment would trigger the distribution and sale of the narcotics worth approximately $5,000,000, for which CAMPO and SENSI would (i) receive directly a portion of the narcotics proceeds as profit; and (ii) receive a further commission upon the laundering of the balance of the narcotics proceeds,” the press release said.

Thus, El Mencho’s death marks a significant moment in Mexico’s fight against organized crime. Yet the financial systems supporting major cartels remain complex, cross-border, and technologically adaptive, extending far beyond any single individual.

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North Carolina DOJ Seizes $61 Million in USDT Tied to Pig Butchering Scam

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Durov Slams France as "Not Free" After Police Raid X's Paris Office

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina seized more than $61 million in Tether (USDT) linked to money laundering from crypto “pig butchering” investment scams.

Why it matters:

  • Victims of pig butchering scams lose funds to fraudulent platforms showing fake returns, then face demands for “taxes” or “fees” to withdraw. This is a cycle designed to repeatedly extract money.
  • The $61 million seizure ranks among the largest single USDT confiscations tied to romance-based crypto fraud in U.S. history.
  • The case signals direct DOJ and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) coordination with Tether to freeze and transfer illicit stablecoin holdings.

The details:

  • The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the seizure, with the DOJ and HSI leading the operation.
  • Investigators traced the USDT to wallet addresses linked to money laundering tied to crypto investment fraud.
  • Pig butchering scams involve criminals building fake romantic relationships online before steering victims toward fraudulent trading platforms.
  • Tether assisted the DOJ and HSI in facilitating the transfer of the $61 million in seized assets.

The big picture:

  • Pig butchering scams generated billions in global losses in recent years, with U.S. authorities accelerating seizures as stablecoins become the preferred settlement layer for organized fraud networks.
  • The case adds to the DOJ’s growing track record of recovering crypto assets linked to transnational fraud.

The post North Carolina DOJ Seizes $61 Million in USDT Tied to Pig Butchering Scam appeared first on BeInCrypto.

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Euro Consolidates After the Impulse: Market Awaits Macro Data

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Euro Consolidates After the Impulse: Market Awaits Macro Data

The euro has moved into a phase of correction and consolidation ahead of key macroeconomic releases. In EUR/USD, a technical pullback is unfolding following the previous decline, while EUR/CAD continues a more extended corrective move within its medium-term structure. Market activity is easing as traders await important data from the euro area, the United States and Canada, which could determine the next directional move.

In the euro area, the focus is on Germany’s GDP figures, the GfK consumer climate index and business activity indicators. These releases will help assess the resilience of the region’s largest economy amid a slowdown in the manufacturing sector. Weak data would increase pressure on the euro, while more solid readings could support attempts at stabilisation.

In the United States, investors are monitoring developments in the mortgage market, upcoming comments from Federal Reserve officials and oil inventory data. Trade policy also remains a source of uncertainty. President Donald Trump announced the introduction of a temporary global tariff of 10% for 150 days, with the administration not ruling out a further increase to 15%. The postponement of harsher measures has slightly eased tensions, yet ongoing trade risks continue to influence currency markets, including the euro and commodity-linked currencies.

EUR/USD

After the resumption of the downward move in EUR/USD last week, buyers managed to find support near 1.1740. A retest of this level and a rebound towards 1.1840 helped establish the boundaries of the current sideways range. Technical analysis points to consolidative trading conditions. A sustained move above 1.1840 could pave the way for gains towards 1.1900–1.1920. A break below 1.1740 may trigger a fresh bearish impulse.

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Key events for EUR/USD:
– today at 09:00 (GMT+2): Germany GDP;
– today at 09:00 (GMT+2): Germany GfK Consumer Climate Index;
– today at 16:30 (GMT+2): speech by FOMC member Thomas Barkin.

EUR/CAD

EUR/CAD has been trading sideways for more than a month. The pair is testing 1.6180 as resistance and 1.6080 as support. A break above the upper boundary could lead to further gains towards 1.6200–1.6230. Conversely, a move below 1.6080 may open the way for a retest of the psychological 1.6000 level.

Key events for EUR/CAD:
– today at 15:30 (GMT+2): Canadian corporate profits;
– today at 17:30 (GMT+2): US crude oil inventories;
– tomorrow at 15:30 (GMT+2): Canadian wholesale sales.

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This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

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Will Shiba Inu price drop as whale transfers 370B SHIB to exchange?

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Will Shiba Inu price drop as whale transfers 370B SHIB to exchange? - 1

Shiba Inu is back in focus after on-chain data showed a large holder moving hundreds of billions of tokens to a centralized exchange, raising fresh concerns about potential sell pressure.

Summary

  • On-chain data from Arkham shows a whale transferred roughly 370 billion SHIB to Binance and Bitget deposit addresses, raising concerns about potential sell pressure.
  • SHIB is trading near $0.00000601, holding short-term support at $0.00000580–$0.00000590, with resistance at $0.00000640 and $0.00000700.
  • Indicators remain cautious: the Awesome Oscillator is still negative but weakening, while the MFI around 44 signals limited buying momentum.

According to data from Arkham Intelligence, a whale address deposited roughly 370 billion SHIB to exchange wallets in a series of transactions over the past 24 hours. The transfers, routed to both Binance and Bitget deposit addresses, totaled several million dollars in value.

Will Shiba Inu price drop as whale transfers 370B SHIB to exchange? - 1

Large exchange inflows are often interpreted as a sign that a holder may be preparing to sell, as tokens moved off self-custody and onto trading platforms increase immediate circulating supply.

While it is not yet confirmed whether the whale intends to liquidate, the timing comes as SHIB continues to trade in a broader downtrend, adding weight to bearish sentiment.

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Shiba Inu price action and key levels

On the daily chart, SHIB is currently trading near $0.00000601, consolidating after a prolonged slide from January highs near the $0.00000900 region.

Will Shiba Inu price drop as whale transfers 370B SHIB to exchange? - 2
SHIB price analysis | Source: Crypto.News

Price recently bounced from the $0.00000580–$0.00000590 support zone, which has acted as a short-term floor. A decisive breakdown below this region could expose the next psychological support around $0.00000550, followed by deeper support near $0.00000500.

On the upside, immediate resistance sits near $0.00000640, where recent daily highs were rejected. Above that, stronger resistance is clustered around $0.00000700, a level that capped the mid-February rebound.

Bulls would need a sustained move above $0.00000700 to shift short-term structure back in their favor.

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Momentum indicators show tentative stabilization but no strong bullish reversal yet. The Awesome Oscillator (AO) remains slightly negative, though red histogram bars are shrinking, suggesting bearish momentum is weakening but not fully reversed.

The Money Flow Index (MFI 14) sits around 44, below the neutral 50 mark, indicating modest capital outflows and a lack of strong buying pressure.

Together, the indicators point to consolidation rather than immediate breakdown but they also fail to confirm a bullish shift.

If the 370B SHIB deposit translates into aggressive selling, pressure on the $0.00000580 support zone could intensify. A breakdown would likely accelerate downside momentum. However, if support holds and exchange inflows do not materialize into sustained sell volume, SHIB could remain range-bound between $0.00000580 and $0.00000640 in the near term.

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For now, whale activity adds uncertainty but the chart suggests bears still hold the broader structural advantage unless key resistance levels are reclaimed.

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MSTR tops list of most heavily shorted stocks, but don’t assume pure bearishness

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Highest short interest outstanding as a percentage of market cap (Goldman Sachs)

The market for Bitcoin-holder Strategy (MSTR) shares is among the most “heavily shorted,” a market slang term for dominance of bearish plays, according to FactSet and Goldman Sachs data. Yet the positioning may not reflect investor bias toward a continued price crash, per some observers.

According to the report released last week, bearish short bets on Strategy (MSTR) equaled 14% of its market capitalization of $34 billion at the time, making it the most shorted stock by that measure. Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (COIN) ranked fourth at 11% of its market cap. The report tracked positioning in stocks with market capitalization of over $25 billion.

This comes as Strategy is sitting on roughly a $7 billion unrealized loss on its bitcoin holdings. That figure, however, has no impact on the stock in the near term. Strategy began adding BTC to its balance sheet in 2020 and has since gobbled up 717,722 BTC, worth $47 billion. As of writing, its market cap stood closer at $42 billion, despite the stock falling 20% year-to-date.

One explanation for the elevated short interest offered by analysts is the basis trade – a strategy that seeks to profit from the price difference between two related markets. In this context, traders may bought bitcoin spot ETFs, like BlackRock’s IBIT, while simultaneously shorting the MSTR stock. to profit from a narrowing of MSTR’s premium to its BTC holdings narrows, plus any funding from paired futures if layered on, while staying market neutral.

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“I suspect a lot of this short interest is still MSTR / BTC basis trade. Jane Street, in particular, has recently acquired a conspicuously large IBIT position,” Brian Brookshire, specialist in bitcoin treasury companies, said.

According to recent 13F filings, Jane Street purchased more than 7 million shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. It also held a large position in MSTR.

If Brookshire’s instincts hold, Jane Street’s purchases of IBIT could be a part of the carry/basis trade, paired with short positions in MSTR.

So far this year, that trade would have not worked. The MSTR-to-IBIT ratio is up about 12%, meaning MSTR has outperformed IBIT on the downside. MSTR is down 20% year to date, while IBIT has fallen 27%.

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Highest short interest outstanding as a percentage of market cap (Goldman Sachs)

Highest short interest outstanding as a percentage of market cap (Goldman Sachs)

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Institutional ETF Flows Tilt Toward This Altcoin in February

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Solana ETF flows in February

Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are diverging from broader crypto ETF trends this month. While demand for Bitcoin and Ethereum products has shown signs of cooling, Solana-linked funds have maintained steady inflows.

The shift comes amid heightened volatility in digital asset markets. With macro uncertainty weighing on investor sentiment, ETF flows may be offering a signal of where institutional capital is positioning in the short term.

Solana ETF Streak Stands Out in Volatile Crypto Market

According to data from SoSoValue, Solana ETFs have recorded consecutive inflows since February 10. As of February 24, the products have logged only three red days this month. Overall, the ETFs have pulled in $30.33 million. 

The streak stands out against the more uneven performance seen in larger crypto ETFs during the same period.

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Solana ETF flows in February
Solana ETF flows in February. Source: SoSoValue

Bitcoin ETFs have posted mixed results in February. Inflows were recorded on seven trading days this month. Ethereum ETFs have followed a similar pattern, reflecting inconsistent demand rather than sustained accumulation. 

Despite those positive sessions, cumulative flows remain deeply negative. So far this month, Bitcoin ETFs’ net outflows stand at $939.94 million. In addition, Ethereum ETFs recorded outflows of $490.58 million.

When compared to other altcoin products, Solana’s performance also appears relatively stronger. XRP-linked ETFs have experienced outflows on three trading sessions this month while recording zero flows on four days. 

Although the number of positive sessions is comparable, the consistency of Solana’s streak since mid-February remains notable.

Nonetheless, it is important to contextualize the data. In absolute dollar terms, inflows into Solana ETFs remain smaller than those seen in Bitcoin products. 

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Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs continue to command the majority of institutional crypto exposure and overall capital allocation. However, consistency in flows can indicate relative resilience in demand during periods of broader uncertainty.

The steady inflows into Solana products suggest that some investors are maintaining or selectively increasing exposure to higher-beta assets, even as flagship crypto ETFs experience uneven demand. Still, the divergence may reflect short-term capital rotation rather than a structural shift in institutional positioning.

SOL Price Remains Under Pressure 

Despite the ETF inflows, Solana’s price performance has continued to reflect broader market weakness. Like most major digital assets, SOL has trended downward over the past month, declining 32.8%.

The altcoin saw a modest recovery today, rising more than 7% as total crypto market capitalization expanded by approximately $32 billion. At press time, SOL was trading at $82.15.

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Solana (SOL) Price Performance.
Solana (SOL) Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto Markets

However, technical analysts remain cautious on the asset’s near-term outlook. Market commentator Alejandro suggested that Solana’s next downside target could be $45.

Whale Factor described the token as entering a high-probability “make or break” zone on the 4-hour chart. According to the analysis, SOL’s wedge formation is “reaching maximum exhaustion,” signaling a potential volatility squeeze at a critical inflection point.

The analyst outlined two possible scenarios:

“Bull Case: Clean break and retest of $82 targets the $97-100 macro resistance. Bear Case: Failure to hold the $78 support level opens the door for a retest of $68.”

Whether Solana will extend its recovery or face renewed downside pressure remains to be seen.

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Bitcoin Rebounds as Traders Debate Jane Street “10am Price Slam”

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Bitcoin Rebounds as Traders Debate Jane Street "10am Price Slam"

Bitcoin (BTC) sought to reclaim $65,000 as support into Wednesday’s Wall Street open as rumors swirled around US institutional pressure.

Key points:

  • Bitcoin bounces 2.5% as talk turns to alleged selling pressure from Wall Street trading company Jane Street.

  • Jane Street rebuts claims of crypto market manipulation during the 2022 bear market.

  • “Razor thin” order books boost BTC price volatility.

Bitcoiners debate Jane Street “10am price slam”

Data from TradingView tracked a BTC price rebound, taking BTC/USD to $66,300 on Bitstamp before the pair consolidated.

BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

Daily price gains remained at more than 2% at the time of writing, while crypto market participants became increasingly interested in potential deliberate BTC price suppression.

A theory circulating on social media revolved around secretive quantitative investment firm Jane Street, now subject to legal action by defunct crypto company Terraform Labs.

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Coordinated algorithmic selling of Bitcoin at 10am Eastern time daily, it alleged, provided the main impetus for months of BTC price downside beginning in October 2025.

Amid the ongoing legal proceedings, Jane Street may have been forced to suspend its trading strategy, leaving the market to adjust higher.

The Terraform Labs complaint makes specific reference to “market manipulation” that impacted crypto throughout 2022, the year in which Bitcoin put in its last bear market bottom of $15,600 in Q4.

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Jane Street told Cointelegraph that the accusations were “baseless, opportunistic claims.”

The 10am argument, meanwhile, failed to convince many. Crypto YouTuber Wise Advice was among them, suggesting that the theory was too simplistic to be valid.

BTC price versus “razor thin” liquidity

Commenting on the latest BTC price move, traders remained cautious.

Related: Bitcoin ETF sell-off is ‘purification’ of bull case, investor says

“$BTC is facing major resistance at $66k – from both the local range lows and the 4h trend,” trader Jelle wrote in his latest analysis on X. 

“Flipping that could spark short-term relief, but until that happens, the trend is clear. Don’t fight it.”

BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Jelle/X

Keith Alan, cofounder of trading resource Material Indicators, said that a “razor thin order book” on exchanges had contributed to the price rebound.

Overhead sell liquidity, he told X followers, had been pulled in advance of US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

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The 24-hour crypto liquidations totaled $333 million at the time of writing, per data from CoinGlass, with shorts accounting for $213 million of that figure.

Crypto liquidation history (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass