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Tether Assists Turkey in $544 Million Crypto Seizure, Reveals $3.4B Global Enforcement Record

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TLDR:

  • Tether assisted Turkish authorities in freezing $544 million in crypto linked to betting schemes. 
  • Stablecoin issuer has supported over 1,800 law enforcement cases across 62 countries worldwide. 
  • Tether has frozen a total of $3.4 billion in illicit USDT through global cooperation efforts. 
  • Turkish probe targets Darkex platform owner accused of providing crypto infrastructure for betting.

 

Tether assisted Turkish authorities in freezing approximately $544 million in cryptocurrency assets tied to illegal betting operati

The stablecoin issuer acted on requests from law enforcement investigating money laundering schemes. 

The frozen funds represent one of Turkey’s largest crypto-related seizures to date. Tether simultaneously disclosed its involvement in over 1,800 cases across 62 countries. 

The company has frozen a total of $3.4 billion in illicit USDT through global law enforcement collaborations.

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Tether’s Expanding Role in Global Law Enforcement

Tether’s cooperation with Turkish officials highlights the company’s growing partnership with international authorities. 

The stablecoin issuer provided technical assistance to freeze wallets connected to unauthorized betting platforms. 

This intervention prevented suspects from moving potentially laundered cryptocurrency to other addresses. 

The action demonstrates how blockchain transparency enables rapid response to criminal investigations.

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The $544 million seizure in Turkey forms part of a broader enforcement pattern. Tether has developed protocols for responding to legitimate law enforcement requests worldwide. 

These procedures allow authorities to immobilize USDT holdings linked to suspected criminal activity. The company maintains compliance teams dedicated to processing such requests efficiently.

Across 62 countries, Tether has supported more than 1,800 criminal investigations. The cases span various categories including fraud, money laundering, and illicit marketplace operations. 

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The $3.4 billion in frozen USDT reflects the scale of detected criminal activity. This figure represents cumulative freezes executed over multiple years of cooperation.

The stablecoin issuer’s transparency measures contrast with criticisms often directed at cryptocurrency platforms. 

By maintaining the ability to freeze addresses, Tether provides law enforcement with tools unavailable in truly decentralized systems. 

This capability has made USDT a cooperative asset in criminal investigations. Authorities can trace and halt illicit fund movements more effectively than with privacy-focused cryptocurrencies.

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Turkish Investigation Targets Crypto-Enabled Betting Networks

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office identified the frozen assets as belonging to illegal betting operations. Authorities targeted Seref Yazici, owner of the Dubai-based Darkex cryptocurrency platform. 

The exchange operated in Turkey without licensing from the Capital Markets Board. Turkish regulators blocked access to Darkex in September 2025.

MASAK, Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board, accused Yazici of facilitating unlawful betting through crypto infrastructure. 

The platform allegedly processed transactions for unauthorized gambling websites operating across Turkey. 

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Authorities seized real estate, corporate shares, banking accounts, and cryptocurrency holdings. This comprehensive freeze aims to prevent the laundering of criminally obtained proceeds.

The case follows another major Turkish seizure announced last week. Officials confiscated $550 million in cryptocurrency linked to fugitive Veysel Sahin. 

Sahin faces an Interpol Red Notice for operating illegal betting platforms and money laundering. Extradition proceedings remain ongoing.

Tether’s assistance in both Turkish cases demonstrates the company’s responsiveness to regional enforcement efforts. The combined seizures exceed $1 billion in cryptocurrency value. 

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Turkish authorities continue investigating additional platforms suspected of providing services to unlicensed betting operations. 

The crackdown reflects stricter oversight of cryptocurrency exchanges serving Turkish users without proper authorization.

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Crypto World

Jack Dorsey’s Block May Slash Up To 10% of Staff: Report

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Jack Dorsey’s Block May Slash Up To 10% of Staff: Report

Jack Dorsey’s payments company Block Inc. has begun informing hundreds of employees that their roles could be eliminated during annual performance reviews, as the firm undertakes a wider restructuring effort.

As much as 10% of Block’s workforce may be affected, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. The company employed just under 11,000 people as of late November, an executive reportedly said at the time.

The potential layoffs come as Block reshapes its operations following a reorganization launched in 2024 aimed at improving efficiency and aligning its product lines. The company is working to more closely link its peer-to-peer payments platform Cash App with its merchant services arm Square.

At the same time, Block is expanding newer initiatives, including its Bitcoin (BTC) mining division Proto and an artificial intelligence project known as Goose.

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Block shares ended Friday up nearly 5%. Source: Google Finance

Related: Cash App plans to unlock stablecoin transactions ’soon’

Block expected to post $403 million Q4 profit

Block is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on Feb. 26, according to Bloomberg. Analysts expect adjusted profit of about $403 million, or 68 cents per share, on revenue of roughly $6.25 billion for the fourth quarter, per the report.

The company last reported third-quarter net income of $461.5 million on $6.11 billion in revenue. Gross profit rose 18% year over year, driven by 24% growth in Cash App and 9% growth in Square, though the stock fell after the release as some performance metrics missed Wall Street expectations.

For the third quarter, Bitcoin generated about $1.97 billion in revenue, down from $2.4 billion a year earlier but still the company’s second-largest revenue stream. Block held 8,780 BTC worth over $1 billion by the end of September, recording a $59 million quarterly valuation loss.

Related: Jack Dorsey urges tax-free status for ‘everyday’ Bitcoin payments

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Square launches Bitcoin payments for merchants

In November last year, Square, the payments platform owned by Block, rolled out a Bitcoin payment option, allowing merchants to accept BTC directly at checkout through its point-of-sale terminals. Sellers can process transactions in multiple ways, including Bitcoin-to-Bitcoin and automatic conversion between Bitcoin and fiat currency.