中國警方破獲價值 19 億美元的利用 Tether 為非法活動提供便利的地下銀行計劃

中國當局搗毀了價值 19 億美元的地下銀行網絡，該網絡使用 Tether (USDT) 繞過外匯管制並為非法活動提供便利。該網絡自 2021 年 1 月開始運營，涉及金融詐欺、販毒和其他非法活動。這次打擊行動共逮捕了 26 個省份的 193 名犯罪嫌疑人，並沒收了價值 1.49 億元人民幣（約 2,000 萬美元）的資產。儘管全國範圍內禁止加密貨幣，但中國投資者仍活躍於加密貨幣市場，特別是 USDT 等穩定幣。

Chinese Police Dismantle $1.9 Billion Underground Banking Network Facilitating Illicit Activities Using Tether

中國警方搗毀價值 19 億美元的利用 Tether 進行非法活動的地下銀行網絡

In a significant crackdown on illicit financial activities, Chinese authorities have dismantled a vast underground banking network valued at $1.9 billion that utilized the stablecoin Tether (USDT) to circumvent foreign exchange controls and facilitate a range of illegal operations. The operation, which spanned across 26 provinces and involved the arrest of 193 suspects, underscores the ongoing challenge of combatting crypto-related crime and the resilience of Chinese investors in accessing cryptocurrencies despite a nationwide ban.

在對非法金融活動的嚴厲打擊中，中國當局搗毀了一個價值 19 億美元的龐大地下銀行網絡，該網絡利用穩定幣 Tether (USDT) 來規避外匯管制並為一系列非法活動提供便利。這項行動橫跨 26 個省份，逮捕了 193 名嫌疑人，凸顯了打擊加密貨幣相關犯罪所面臨的持續挑戰，以及中國投資者在全國範圍內禁止使用加密貨幣方面的韌性。

Unveiling the Underground Banking Network

揭開地下銀行網絡的面紗

The illicit banking system, which became operational in January 2021, was primarily engaged in the smuggling of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and investment assets, according to police reports. The network's activities extended to financial fraud, job-related crimes, drug management obstruction, smuggling of restricted goods, credit card fraud, and tax evasion.

根據警方報告，該非法銀行系統於 2021 年 1 月開始運營，主要從事藥品、化妝品和投資資產的走私。該網絡的活動範圍涵蓋金融詐欺、與工作有關的犯罪、阻礙藥品管理、走私限制貨物、信用卡詐欺和逃稅。

Investigations revealed that the criminal network, originating from an import and export business, exploited USDT to facilitate illegal fund transfers abroad. They collaborated with other firms to engage in fraudulent activities, including tax refund scams.

調查顯示，該犯罪網絡起源於進出口業務，利用USDT為境外非法資金轉移提供便利。他們與其他公司合作從事詐欺活動，包括退稅詐騙。

Tether's Role in Bypassing Foreign Exchange Controls

Tether 在繞過外匯管制方面的作用

Critically, the network's use of USDT, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, enabled them to bypass national foreign exchange controls, posing significant risks to the country's financial and foreign exchange security. This circumvention of regulations highlights the potential for cryptocurrencies to be used for illicit purposes and has raised concerns among Chinese authorities.

至關重要的是，該網路使用與美元掛鉤的穩定幣 USDT，使其能夠繞過國家外匯管制，對國家金融和外匯安全構成重大風險。這種規避法規的行為凸顯了加密貨幣被用於非法目的的可能性，並引起了中國當局的擔憂。

Crackdown and Nationwide Raids

鎮壓和全國的突襲搜查

Following the uncovering of the case involving obstruction of drug management in November 2022, a task force was formed under directives from the Ministry of Public Security and the Public Security Department. By June 1, 2023, the task force executed raids in major cities across China, including Shanghai, Changsha, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, and Jinhua.

2022年11月破獲阻礙藥品管理案件後，根據公共安全部、公共安全部的指示，成立了專案小組。截至2023年6月1日，專案組在上海、長沙、南京、深圳、福州、金華等全國主要城市實施突擊搜查。

The raids resulted in the arrest of a group led by individuals surnamed Lin, Weng, and Chen, along with 25 other suspects. Police confiscated a significant amount of evidence, including bank cards and payment devices used in the illicit activities.

這次突襲行動逮捕了以林某、翁某和陳某為首的團夥以及其他 25 名嫌疑犯。警方沒收了大量證據，包括用於非法活動的銀行卡和支付設備。

Additional Arrests and Nationwide Crackdown

更多逮捕和全國範圍內的鎮壓

In August 2023, the Ministry of Public Security initiated a nationwide crackdown, leading to the arrest of an additional 168 suspects across 26 provinces. This comprehensive operation demonstrates the Chinese government's determination to clamp down on crypto-related crimes and maintain control over its financial system.

2023年8月，公共安全部在全國範圍內進行嚴打行動，在26個省份又抓獲犯罪嫌疑人168名。這項全面行動顯示了中國政府打擊加密貨幣相關犯罪並保持對其金融體系控制的決心。

Chinese Investors' Enduring Interest in Cryptocurrencies

中國投資者對加密貨幣的持久興趣

Despite China's strict ban on all crypto-related activities, Chinese traders continue to find innovative ways to access and utilize cryptocurrencies, particularly stablecoins, to circumvent these restrictions. According to a report by Kyros Ventures, Chinese investors are among the world's largest holders of stablecoins, with one-third of Chinese investors holding these assets.

儘管中國嚴格禁止所有與加密貨幣相關的活動，但中國交易者仍在尋找創新的方式來存取和使用加密貨幣，特別是穩定幣，以避免這些限制。根據 Kyros Ventures 的報告，中國投資者是全球最大的穩定幣持有者之一，三分之一的中國投資者持有這些資產。

This enduring interest in cryptocurrencies reflects the global trend of increasing adoption and the need for regulators to find effective ways to mitigate potential risks associated with their use.

人們對加密貨幣的持久興趣反映了越來越多採用加密貨幣的全球趨勢，以及監管機構需要找到有效方法來減輕與其使用相關的潛在風險。

Impact of China's Regulatory Landscape

中國監管環境的影響

China's ban on Bitcoin mining in 2021 and the subsequent prohibition of centralized exchanges have had a significant impact on the country's cryptocurrency industry. However, Chinese traders have adapted to these restrictions by shifting to decentralized exchanges (DEXes) and utilizing virtual private networks (VPNs) to access foreign trading platforms.

中國在2021年禁止比特幣挖礦以及隨後禁止中心化交易所，對該國的加密貨幣產業產生了重大影響。然而，中國交易者已經適應了這些限制，轉向去中心化交易所（DEX）並利用虛擬私人網路（VPN）訪問國外交易平台。

The surge in the use of decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and the resilience of Chinese investors in finding ways to access cryptocurrencies pose challenges for regulators seeking to control the flow of capital and maintain financial stability.

去中心化金融（DeFi）協議的使用激增以及中國投資者在尋找獲取加密貨幣的方法方面的彈性給尋求控制資本流動和維護金融穩定的監管機構帶來了挑戰。

Conclusion

結論

The dismantling of the $1.9 billion underground banking network in China serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating crypto-related crime and the need for effective regulation. The case highlights the potential for cryptocurrencies to be exploited for illicit purposes, particularly when used to bypass foreign exchange controls.

中國價值 19 億美元的地下銀行網路的瓦解有力地提醒人們，打擊加密貨幣相關犯罪所面臨的持續挑戰以及有效監管的必要性。該案件凸顯了加密貨幣被用於非法目的的可能性，特別是在用於繞過外匯管制時。

As regulators around the world grapple with the evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies, the Chinese government's approach to clamping down on crypto-related crimes offers valuable insights into the complexities of addressing this issue.

在世界各地的監管機構努力應對加密貨幣不斷變化的格局之際，中國政府打擊加密貨幣相關犯罪的方法為解決這一問題的複雜性提供了寶貴的見解。