中国警方破获价值 19 亿美元的利用 Tether 为非法活动提供便利的地下银行计划

中国当局捣毁了价值 19 亿美元的地下银行网络，该网络使用 Tether (USDT) 绕过外汇管制并为非法活动提供便利。该网络自 2021 年 1 月开始运营，涉及金融欺诈、贩毒和其他非法活动。此次打击行动共逮捕了 26 个省份的 193 名犯罪嫌疑人，并没收了价值 1.49 亿元人民币（约合 2000 万美元）的资产。尽管全国范围内禁止加密货币，但中国投资者仍然活跃在加密货币市场，特别是 USDT 等稳定币。

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

中国警方捣毁价值 19 亿美元的利用 Tether 进行非法活动的地下银行网络

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.

在对非法金融活动的严厉打击中，中国当局捣毁了一个价值 19 亿美元的庞大地下银行网络，该网络利用稳定币 Tether (USDT) 来规避外汇管制并为一系列非法活动提供便利。此次行动横跨 26 个省份，逮捕了 193 名嫌疑人，凸显了打击加密货币相关犯罪所面临的持续挑战，以及中国投资者在全国范围内禁止使用加密货币方面的韧性。

Unveiling the Underground Banking Network

揭开地下银行网络的面纱

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.

据警方报告，该非法银行系统于 2021 年 1 月开始运营，主要从事药品、化妆品和投资资产的走私。该网络的活动范围涵盖金融欺诈、与工作有关的犯罪、阻碍药品管理、走私限制货物、信用卡欺诈和逃税。

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.

调查显示，该犯罪网络起源于进出口业务，利用USDT为境外非法资金转移提供便利。他们与其他公司合作从事欺诈活动，包括退税诈骗。

Tether's Role in Bypassing Foreign Exchange Controls

Tether 在绕过外汇管制方面的作用

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.

至关重要的是，该网络使用与美元挂钩的稳定币 USDT，使其能够绕过国家外汇管制，对国家金融和外汇安全构成重大风险。这种规避法规的行为凸显了加密货币被用于非法目的的可能性，并引起了中国当局的担忧。

Crackdown and Nationwide Raids

镇压和全国范围的突击搜查

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月破获阻碍药品管理案件后，根据公安部、公安部的指示，成立了专案组。截至2023年6月1日，专案组在上海、长沙、南京、深圳、福州、金华等全国主要城市实施突击搜查。

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.

此次突袭行动逮捕了以林某、翁某和陈某为首的团伙以及其他 25 名嫌疑人。警方没收了大量证据，包括用于非法活动的银行卡和支付设备。

Additional Arrests and Nationwide Crackdown

更多逮捕和全国范围内的镇压

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，公安部在全国范围内开展严打行动，在26个省份又抓获犯罪嫌疑人168名。此次全面行动表明了中国政府打击加密货币相关犯罪并保持对其金融体系控制的决心。

Chinese Investors' Enduring Interest in Cryptocurrencies

中国投资者对加密货币的持久兴趣

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.

尽管中国严格禁止所有与加密货币相关的活动，但中国交易者仍在寻找创新的方式来访问和使用加密货币，特别是稳定币，以规避这些限制。根据 Kyros Ventures 的一份报告，中国投资者是全球最大的稳定币持有者之一，三分之一的中国投资者持有这些资产。

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.

人们对加密货币的持久兴趣反映了越来越多采用加密货币的全球趋势，以及监管机构需要找到有效方法来减轻与其使用相关的潜在风险。

Impact of China's Regulatory Landscape

中国监管环境的影响

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.

中国在2021年禁止比特币挖矿以及随后禁止中心化交易所，对该国的加密货币行业产生了重大影响。然而，中国交易者已经适应了这些限制，转向去中心化交易所（DEX）并利用虚拟专用网络（VPN）访问国外交易平台。

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）协议的使用激增以及中国投资者在寻找获取加密货币的方法方面的弹性给寻求控制资本流动和维护金融稳定的监管机构带来了挑战。

Conclusion

结论

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.

中国价值 19 亿美元的地下银行网络的瓦解有力地提醒人们，打击加密货币相关犯罪所面临的持续挑战以及有效监管的必要性。该案件凸显了加密货币被用于非法目的的可能性，特别是在用于绕过外汇管制时。

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.

在世界各地的监管机构努力应对加密货币不断变化的格局之际，中国政府打击加密货币相关犯罪的方法为解决这一问题的复杂性提供了宝贵的见解。