ChainCatcher News: The U.S. State Department stated that during the attendance of Special Envoy for North Korea, Seth Bailey, at the "Preventing North Korean Virtual Asset Money Laundering U.S.-Korea Joint Civilian Seminar," the theft of virtual currency is a relatively new source of income for North Korea. It is estimated that over 40% of the funding for North Korea's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile development programs is raised through virtual currency channels.Bailey cited a report from blockchain research firm TRM Labs, which indicated that last year, about one-third of global virtual asset thefts were carried out by North Korean hackers, and this year's theft amount is expected to increase further.Bailey emphasized, "We are working closely with like-minded countries such as South Korea and Japan to develop government policies and procedures that will have a direct impact on North Korean behavior."

ChainCatcher news, according to Bitcoin.com, the U.S. State Department has acknowledged that El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin has had a positive impact on the country's booming tourism industry. In its 2024 Investment Climate Statement report on El Salvador, the department recognized that the adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 helped the country gain international attention.As part of the report, the department stated that Bitcoin has brought significant publicity to El Salvador and contributed to its popularity as a tourist destination, but beyond that, its "impact on El Salvador's economy is minimal."

ChainCatcher news, according to Coindesk, the U.S. State Department is offering a reward of $5 million for information leading to the arrest of OneCoin founder Ruja Ignatova. The new reward is provided under the State Department's Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, increasing the previous $250,000 reward offered by the FBI.It is reported that Ruja Ignatova, who once referred to herself as the "Crypto Queen," went missing in Athens in 2017. Ruja Ignatova will be charged in absentia for her involvement in the crypto Ponzi scheme, which defrauded global investors of approximately $4 billion during its collapse from 2014 to early 2017.

ChainCatcher news, according to foxbusiness, U.S. House Financial Services Committee Vice Chairman French Hill is leading the push for the Nigerian government to release detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan.It is reported that U.S. citizen and former IRS agent Tigran Gambaryan, who serves as the compliance officer at Binance, traveled to Nigeria in February to meet with government officials on behalf of Binance but has been held in a Nigerian prison for nearly four months on "fabricated" charges of money laundering and tax evasion. Hill stated that he plans to call U.S. State Department Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens in the coming days to seek advice on the Gambaryan case.He also plans to consult with Gambaryan's lawyer and family, as well as Congressman Rich McCormick, who represents Gambaryan's home district in Georgia's 6th Congressional District. Hill pointed out, "Tigran Gambaryan is a pawn in Nigeria's political struggle. He needs to be brought back to his home in the United States, and then Binance can continue to communicate with Nigeria."

ChainCatcher news, Fox reporter Eleanor Terrett stated on the X platform that she is seeking comments from the U.S. State Department regarding the arrest of Binance's Financial Crime Compliance Chief Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria. The State Department responded that our top priority is the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad. We are aware of reports of a U.S. citizen being detained in Nigeria. When a U.S. citizen is detained overseas, the department will work to provide all appropriate assistance. Due to privacy considerations, we will not comment further.