cryptocurrency

Palestinian fighters from Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas terror organization, attend a rally in Gaza City on December 16, 2018, marking the 31st anniversary of the Islamist group's founding. (Said Khatib/AFP)

April 27, 2019, 4:55 am

Hamas developing Bitcoin system for secure international funding, report says

Terror group in ‘experimental stage’ of building complex online payment system, raising fears among regulators

By TOI staff

Neema's Barak Ben Ezer (YouTube screenshot)

March 9, 2019, 3:45 am

Israeli company partners with Marshall Islands to launch digital currency

Neema is working with the tiny island nation to allay US regulatory concerns as well as solve technological and logistical issues, but plans to have coin on offer this year

By AFP

Illustrative: Call center employees at E&G Finances in Bulgaria. One of the company's directors, Gal Barak, an Israeli, was reportedly arrested and is awaiting extradition to Austria (YouTube screenshot)

March 7, 2019, 2:14 pm

Alleged Israeli financial scammer arrested in Bulgaria

Bulgarian media reports that binary options and cryptocurrency operative Gal Barak has been apprehended and awaits extradition to Austria

By Simona Weinglass

Moshe Hogeg, businessman and Beitar Jerusalem owner, visits the Western Wall in the Jerusalem, on August 13, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

February 9, 2019, 8:21 pm

In court, blockchain entrepreneur says investors have no ownership rights

Moshe Hogeg responds to a lawsuit alleging he misappropriated funds and deviated from white paper business plan, by asserting that such papers are descriptive, not legally binding

By TOI staff

Illustrative image of bitcoins (Courtesy BitsofGold)

February 6, 2019, 11:11 am

Canadian Bitcoin exchange president dies suddenly, putting millions out of reach

Gerald Cotten takes to his grave passwords for computer containing access to cryptocurrencies from 115,000 users

By AFP

Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi (R) receiving a Beitar Jerusalem fan club membership card from club owner Moshe Hogeg at an event in Barcelona, Spain, in December 2018. (Screenshot: Twitter)

January 25, 2019, 2:43 pm

Beitar Jerusalem owner sued by Chinese investor for alleged cryptocurrency fraud

Zhewen Hu files NIS 17 million lawsuit against Moshe Hogeg and his company, Stox, claiming Hogeg dipped into investors’ funds for his own use; Hogeg denies allegation

By TOI staff

June 22, 2018, 6:47 pm

Cryptocurrency-related crime will surpass all other cyberattacks in 2018: expert

Leading experts at Tel Aviv cybersecurity conference weigh pros and cons of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, and the risks of blockchain technology in financial transactions

By Simona Weinglass

Bank of Israel Governor Karnit Flug speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on March 31, 2015. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

From the WebJune 20, 2018, 4:40 pm

Israel’s Bank Association to central bank: publish guidelines on cryptocurrency

Calcalist: Banks tell regulator that a lack of clear guidelines on crypto-related financial activity makes it difficult for them to do due diligence

In this photo provided by the Philippine National Police, SAF (Special Action Force) members escort Israeli nationals following a raid at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga province, June 7, 2018, in Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. (Philippine National Police via AP)

June 12, 2018, 3:04 pm

Israelis nabbed in Philippines are tip of iceberg in alleged fraud gone global

As police raid Israeli-operated boiler rooms in Asia and Eastern Europe, local law enforcement has yet to indict a single operative from an industry that has stolen billions

By Simona Weinglass

In this Jan. 23 2018 file photo, MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis poses for a photo at the NTA show,. (Ian West/ PA via AP)

April 26, 2018, 6:23 am

Facebook’s nightmare UK lawsuit revolves around Israeli binary options ads

Top British financial advice expert is suing under-fire social media giant for ads that used his image to steer trusting respondents into the hands of scammers

By Simona Weinglass

April 24, 2018, 12:27 am

Iran bans cryptocurrencies as Rial hits all-time low

Tehran moves to control currency market in ‘all monetary and financial centers of the country’ in an apparent attempt to prevent money laundering and black market exchanges

By Amir Vahdat

April 23, 2018, 8:35 am

Will charlatans wreck Israel’s next growth industry, cryptocurrencies?

Many Israelis are excited about the potential of the hot new high-tech field, but none more than the financial crooks. Can it self-regulate to keep the scammers out?

By Simona Weinglass

A screenshot from a Canadian government website designed to prevent citizens falling victim to binary options fraud.

March 28, 2018, 7:05 pm

European Union bans binary options, strictly regulates CFDs

Vise tightens around Israeli online scammers; Israeli banks close forex companies’ accounts, and Twitter follows Google and Facebook in banning cryptocurrency ads

By Simona Weinglass

March 27, 2018, 8:56 am

Twitter bans cryptocurrency ads on fraud fears

Company follows Google and Facebook in prohibiting announcements of new ICOs; bitcoin value drops 8% after move announced

By AFP

Illustrative image of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, on March 14, 2017. (Roy Alima/Flash90)

March 14, 2018, 7:58 pm

Israel Securities Authority bans cryptocurrency companies from TASE indices

Ruling says digital assets and the companies behind them are too volatile to be sold to passive investors, but can be traded on the stock exchange

By Simona Weinglass