Bitcoin
US Government Seizes Trezor Wallet With $6.3 Million in Bitcoin From Gift Card Fraud Case
On September 22, 2021, a U.S. district judge from San Antonio, Texas, granted a summary judgment on the civil forfeiture of 147 bitcoin worth $6.3 million held on a Trezor hardware wallet. According to the court filing, the crypto assets stemmed from a Target gift card fraud incident that started in 2016.
Gift Card Fraud Money Turned Into Bitcoin
The Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division Court has been dealing with a case that involved gift card fraud and bitcoins. According to the court filing, an American named Jaymes Allen Clark worked at the retail chain Target as an Executive Team Leader of Assets Protection in San Antonio, Texas. Allegedly, Clark utilized his Target credentials to access Target’s gift card database and he reportedly obtained recently activated gift cards. After Clark detected newly activated cards, he took screenshots of the gift card account information.
The filing then claims Clark shared the gift card info with co-conspirators who then leveraged the accounts to purchase iTunes cards and “clean” Target cards. The U.S. prosecutors then claim that Clark was paid in bitcoin and at first he leveraged a Mycelium wallet. The bitcoins were then transferred to a Trezor hardware wallet which is referred to in the summary judgment as a “key fob one.”
“Clark had a Trezor wallet (key fob one) with him when he was arrested,” the filing notes. “Following his arrest, Clark was detained at the GEO detention facility in San Antonio, Texas. On September 21, 2017, Clark called his wife from GEO. At the beginning of each call originating from GEO, a recorded message advises that phone calls are recorded. During the call, Clark asked his wife if she had received a key fob from the Secret Service Agents and told her that she could keep it or send the fob to his friend Matt Baker (‘Baker’) in Portland.”
The judgment adds:
Clark then told his wife the passcode to key fob one and said she could tell Baker the passcode too. Clark’s wife then sent the fob to Baker. The recordings of Clark’s calls from GEO were turned over to the agents involved in the case.
Court Denies Clark’s Fourth Amendment Rights Were Violated, Revealing Whatsapp Messages
In the court judgment, Clark contends his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when he accessed the Trezor via the phone call arrangement with his wife from GEO. “Because claimants concede that key fob one was not illegally seized and because neither claimant has a reasonable expectation of privacy in Clark’s personal calls from GEO, the court denies the motion insofar as it seeks to suppress the search of key fob one,” the Texas district judge details.
Additionally, other “key fobs” are mentioned as the government confiscated 187.5 ethereum (ETH) and 76 bitcoin cash (BCH) from “key fob three,” and a $120,000 cashier’s check was forfeited. “Upon the evidence presented, the Court finds the Government has met its burden, by the presentation of circumstantial evidence, that 147.18 Bitcoin constitutes proceeds traceable to Clark’s conspiracy,” the order notes.
The court filing also mentions that Clark and his co-conspirators did most of their business communications via Whatsapp’s instant messenger. In an October 19, 2016 Whatsapp conversation with a co-conspirator, Clark allegedly stated: “I’m really excited we’re going to make a nice fat bitcoin wallet,” and “we found an amazing scheme.” Twelve days later on Halloween, Clark reportedly wrote: “We’re going to work our asses off but man we will mint some [bitcoin].”
What do you think about the government seizing 147 bitcoin? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below.
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Bitcoin
$GME ETH Meme Coin: From Disruption to Sustained Value
Meme coins have been instrumental and effective in gaining traction for and within the crypto market recently. By December last year, the meme coin sector was worth more than 11% of the crypto market capitalization, excluding Bitcoin and Ether.
Between Jan 1 and Dec 1 last year, meme coin trading volume grew 979%. It accounted for 5.27% of the entire crypto market’s volume. The data point that is even more telling about the thriving meme coin ecosystem is that approximately 1 million new tokens are created weekly in this space. But do all the coins thrive the same way? The numbers say otherwise.
Coins that Rose and Fell Flat
Dogecoin, one of the most discussed meme coins, fell sharply twice. The coin hit its all-time high in May 2021, when the price reached almost US$0.74. However, the coin failed to sustain its price and currently trades at US$0.15.
The same happened with $TRUMP. Soon after its launch, the token witnessed explosive growth and reached an all-time high of US$75.35. It took only two days for the coin to travel from an all-time low of US$6.24 to an all-time high. However, with the presidential elections over, the enthusiasm around the token largely fizzled out. The token currently trades at a little over US$10.
Nearly the same pattern of fall could be seen in the case of $MELANIA. This meme coin hit its all-time high price of US$13.73 on January 19, 2025. In less than a couple of months’ interval, the price came down to an all-time low of US$0.65.
However, this is not the case for all Meme coins. GME ETH, in particular, is uniquely poised to capture the imminent fresh influx of capital the market is about to witness.
$GME ETH: The Sustained Disruptor
The digital asset space is all set to onboard the largest wave of participants from traditional finance. Bitcoin will likely hit US$100K once again, creating a positive psychological impact for many new investors and skeptics to embrace this asset class. Amid this, $GME ETH is uniquely placed to onboard this group of investors as the Gamestop movement is instantly relatable and familiar to trad-fi participants.
It is possible to buy $GME through conventional avenues using Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and other trusted payment methods. One can become a $GME owner on more than 35 trusted Centralized Exchange or may get their $GME directly on a Decentralized Exchange, ensuring complete control over your assets and privacy in every transaction.
Inspired by the 2021 stock market short squeeze, GME Ethereum is built on one of the most secure blockchains, Ethereum. It benefits from Ethereum’s robust security, decentralization, and ongoing scalability improvements through Layer 2 solutions.
Over time, the coin has emerged as a community-driven cryptocurrency that embodies resilience, determination, solidarity, and perseverance. It seeks to address challenges that exist in traditional financial markets, including limited information, fewer resources, market manipulation, and high transaction costs.
Altogether, $GME has moved beyond the role of playing a disruptor and emerged as a coin that could offer sustained value and build a loyal ecosystem by offering a lot more than appreciation in prices. It offers educational opportunities, access to a community of investors and traders, a wide wallet distribution, and low gas fees. Overall, it’s a wholesome place for any investor—new or experienced—to thrive!
Editor-in-Chief of CoinCentral and founder of Kooc Media, A UK-Based Online Media Company. Believer in Open-Source Software, Blockchain Technology & a Free and Fair Internet for all. His writing has been quoted by Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Investopedia, The New Yorker, Forbes, Techcrunch & More. Contact Oliver@coincentral.com
Bitcoin
BinoFi (BINO) Rivaling Bitcoin (BTC) as 2025’s Most Talked-About Crypto Investment
While Bitcoin (BTC) has long been the crown jewel of crypto investments, a new contender, BinoFi (BINO), is swiftly gaining traction among industry insiders.
Its cutting-edge hybrid exchange, innovative features, and accelerating adoption have many asking: Could BinoFi rival Bitcoin as the most talked-about cryptocurrency by 2025?
Here’s an in-depth look at what makes BinoFi unique and why it’s capturing the attention of both novice and seasoned investors.
The BinoFi Revolution: What Sets It Apart?
BinoF is a next-generation hybrid exchange designed to combine the best of centralized (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX). This revolutionary approach aims to address long-standing issues in crypto trading, such as inefficiencies in liquidity, slow transactions, and security concerns.
Here’s what makes BinoFi stand out:
- Hybrid Liquidity Model: BinoFi offers the flexibility of tapping into both centralized liquidity pools for speed and decentralized smart contracts for security. This ensures trades are executed at the best possible price with minimal slippage.
- Cross-Chain Trading Without Bridges: Unlike most platforms reliant on wrapped assets or third-party bridges, BinoFi enables direct trading across blockchains. This feature significantly reduces operational risks and improves user confidence.
- AI-Driven Trading Tools: BinoFi introduces AI-powered smart trading bots, market alerts, and automated risk analysis tools that enable users to trade smarter and capitalize on market opportunities.
- Non-Custodial Security: Thanks to its Multi-Party Computation (MPC) wallets, users maintain full control over their assets while enjoying the conveniences of traditional exchanges like gasless transactions and account recovery
- Proof-of-Reserves Transparency: BinoFi uses on-chain proof-of-reserves to ensure liquidity, minimizing risks of insolvency that plague centralized exchanges.
These cutting-edge innovations position BinoFi as a versatile, secure, and user-friendly exchange platform that appeals to both professional traders and everyday users.
Bitcoin’s Legacy vs. BinoFi’s Potential
Bitcoin is undeniably a trailblazer, having introduced blockchain technology and decentralized finance to the mainstream. However, as the market evolves, Bitcoin’s limitations have become evident. Its scalability issues and slow transaction speeds make it hard to compete with modern solutions like BinoFi.
BinoFi is already achieving milestones that bolster its trajectory toward becoming a powerhouse in cryptocurrency. Its listing on CoinMarketCap marks its arrival on the global stage.
BinoFi’s fast-moving presale has made headlines with an extraordinary level of participation. Early backers are increasingly optimistic, and analysts believe the token could surpass the $1 mark by mid-2025, offering early investors life-changing returns.
Bitcoin’s strength lies in its community, but BinoFi is forging its own robust following. From its $1 million giveaway to its gamified trading system, BinoFi is building an ecosystem driven by engagement and innovation.
Features such as Trade-to-Earn and social trading further enhance its appeal, catering to a new wave of crypto enthusiasts.
Crypto analysts are increasingly bullish on BinoFi. A well-known industry expert highlighted, “BinoFi’s hybrid model is not just innovative; it’s a game-changer. By balancing speed, security, and transparency, it addresses fundamental flaws in current crypto exchanges. Its potential to scale and attract institutional adoption is immense.”
Could BinoFi Be Your Golden Opportunity?
With growing market traction and innovative technology, BinoFi represents a fresh perspective on crypto trading. While Bitcoin paved the way for decentralized finance, BinoFi is arguably the next step in its evolution. Whether you’re an investor who missed Bitcoin’s early days or someone looking to diversify, BINO offers a compelling case.
The cryptocurrency market is no stranger to swift transformations, and those who act early often reap the greatest rewards. The buzz surrounding BinoFi’s presale, expert predictions, and $1 million giveaway are not just hype but signals for a future ready to disrupt the crypto world.
Conclusion
BinoFi is more than just a cryptocurrency; it’s a movement redefining how assets are traded and managed. Its hybrid model and innovative technology could make it the centerpiece of the next generation of blockchain solutions.
For those seeking a high-potential investment opportunity, BinoFi offers an exciting chance to be part of what could become 2025’s most talked-about crypto investment.
Website: https://binofi.com
Whitepaper: https://whitepaper.binofi.com
Giveaway: https://giveaway.binofi.com
Telegram: https://t.me/binofilabs
Twitter: https://x.com/Binoficom
CoinMarketCap: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/binofi/
Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.
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