UK Approves Bill Enabling Cryptocurrency Confiscation in Criminal Cases

Published: October 26, 2023 at 8:42 am Updated: October 26, 2023 at 8:42 am

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In Brief

UK lawmakers have passed the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, granting law enforcement agencies the authority to seize and freeze cryptocurrency associated with criminal activities, even without a conviction.

The United Kingdom’s lawmakers have approved the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, granting law enforcement agencies the authority to seize and freeze cryptocurrency associated with criminal activities, even without a conviction.

The bill, which addresses various criminal activities, including drug trafficking and cybercrime, is set to receive royal approval. It also includes provisions to assist in identifying crypto linked to crime. While the UK aims to establish itself as a global crypto hub and has passed legislation to legitimize cryptocurrencies, it’s simultaneously cracking down on crypto-related crimes.

Initially introduced in September, the bill has undergone amendments to encompass a broader range of criminal activities, including terrorism. Furthermore, it includes provisions that aid authorities in identifying and confiscating assets linked to crypto crimes.

Despite the UK’s aspirations to become a global crypto center and its efforts to legitimize cryptocurrencies within the country, it has been actively addressing crypto crimes and scams. According to CoinDesk, law enforcement agencies have already confiscated cryptocurrency worth hundreds of millions of pounds associated with criminal activities.

In addition, crypto tactical advisers have been placed within police departments nationwide to enhance investigative efforts in this domain. The passage of this bill reaffirms the UK’s commitment to balancing crypto innovation with the need for stringent measures against illicit cryptocurrency usage.

However, the UK may face some challenges in enforcing this law if criminals use decentralized exchanges or wallets to store and transfer their cryptocurrencies. Decentralized exchanges or wallets do not rely on a central authority or intermediary to facilitate transactions. They are often anonymous, encrypted, and resistant to censorship. This makes it harder for authorities to trace and seize crime-related digital assets.

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Agne is a journalist who covers the latest trends and developments in the metaverse, AI, and Web3 industries for the Metaverse Post. Her passion for storytelling has led her to conduct numerous interviews with experts in these fields, always seeking to uncover exciting and engaging stories. Agne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Literary Studies and has an extensive background in writing about a wide range of topics including cybersecurity, travel, art, and culture. She has also volunteered as an editor for the animal rights organization, where she helped raise awareness about animal welfare issues. Currently, Agne splits her time between Barcelona, Spain, and Vilnius, Lithuania, where she continues to pursue her passion for journalism. Contact her on [email protected].