Merkle Science, Binance, Paxful, and McGuireWoods to Discuss Crypto Regulatory Environment in Upcoming Webinar

On Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 8 am EST, Merkle Science will host a one-hour webinar called Crypto Regulatory Trends, Sanctions and Emerging Risks.

Featuring Robert Whitaker from Merkle Science and compliance leaders from Binance, Paxful, and McGuireWoods, the panel will discuss emerging crypto crime threats and risks, new compliance obligations relating to AML, KYC, CFT, and taxation, and enforcement and regulatory trends in the US and around the world. 

Register for the webinar here. 

The Webinar's Speakers 

Robert Whitaker (Merkle Science's Director of Law Enforcement Affairs)

After retiring from a 23-year career in law enforcement across federal, state, and international law enforcement, including a stint at the Homeland Security Investigations of the US Department of Homeland Security, Robert joined Merkle Science in August 2024. In addition to leading Merkle Science's Law Enforcement Affairs, he frequently conducts crypto investigations, such as this flow of funds analysis in the recovered Bitfinex hack funds and DeltaPrime. He also regularly shares his domain expertise through Merkle Science's webinars.

Robert graduated from Peck University with a BS in Criminal Justice and Political Science and earned a Master of Legal Studies from Texas A&M University. 

Connect with Robert here. 

Alex Côté (Binance's Head of Global Compliance Screening, Monitoring, Surveillance)

Connect with Alex here.

Manfred Bekeris (Paxful's Chief Compliance Officer)

Manfred has worked in compliance for over 13 years, including stints at TransferGo, Crypto.com, and OKX. Before serving as Paxful's Chief Compliance Officer, Manfred also had the same role at BVNK. 

Manfred graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor's in Management and Human Resources. He later earned a Master's in Financial Regulation and Compliance from Florida State University College of Law. 

Connect with Manfred here. 

David Hirsch (McGuireWoods' Partner)

Before his current role, David worked as an enforcement attorney at the SEC Division of Enforcement before eventually becoming its Chief of the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit. He has also worked as a litigator and private investigator.

He earned his JD from UCLA's School of Law and his Bachelor's in Media Studies from Pomona College. 

Connect with David here.

The Webinar's Topics 

The webinar will be ideal for compliance professionals and anyone interested in improving security in digital assets. It will cover: 

• Enforcement Trends in the US and Beyond - During President Biden's term, the Securities and Exchange Commission aggressively targeted crypto businesses as offering unregistered securities by definition of the Howey Test. How will this change under President Trump, who assumes office in January 2025? He has vowed to create a crypto advisory council that leaders in the sector have since been politicking for, among many other pro-crypto initiatives.  
  
  With the Trump inauguration looming, the panelists will discuss likely enforcement trends from key regulatory bodies, including the SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The panel will also look outward, examining how regulatory developments in the US could affect regulators in other markets, such as the United Arab Emirates.
  
  
• Emerging Crypto Crime Risks and Threats - Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they launder money, using multi-wallet transfers, peel chains, coin mixers, swap protocols, privacy coins, and more. These evasion and obfuscation techniques increase the likelihood of exposure to illicit funds for businesses. 
  
  To comply with regulations surrounding KYC, AML, and CFT, businesses must use a technology as sophisticated as blockchain analytics. With a tool like Merkle Science's Compass, businesses can flag transactions from wallets that entities like the Office of Foreign Assets Control have blacklisted. More importantly, companies can configure a customizable, behavior-based rule engine that buckets transactions into different risk profiles and enables them to take appropriate action. Businesses can use Compass to bolster their KYC, AML, and CFT security profiles for 2024 and beyond. 
  
  
• Crypto Tax Reporting and Compliance Obligations - As cryptocurrency enters the mainstream, compliance requirements will only increase for businesses in the sector. For example, in addition to KYC, AML, and CFT, firms in the United States must report any payment of $600 or more to a US non-exempt person to the Internal Revenue Service, per its new guidelines. The panel will discuss best practices for crypto tax reporting and other new compliance obligations. 
  
  

Registrations Now Open for the Webinar 

Registrations are now open for the Crypto Regulatory Trends, Sanctions and Emerging Risks webinar taking place on Wednesday, December 4 at 8 am EST. Register for the webinar here. 

Gain the latest insights into crypto compliance and the resources necessary for implementing best practices, including trial access to Compass.