Crypto Opinions & News International Summit agrees Crack Down on Crypto to Combat Ransomware

[upnorth]

Content source

https://www.theregister.com/2022/11/03/ransomware_summit_cryptocurrency/

The White House's second International Counter Ransomware Initiative summit has concluded, and this year the 36-nation group has made clear it intends to crack down on how cryptocurrencies are used to finance ransomware operations.

Last year's summit ended with far fewer actionable, concrete steps in this direction, concluding with a joint statement indicating "countering illicit finance" was a priority without stating in specific terms that the Countering Ransomware Initiative (CRI) was focused on cryptocurrencies. The tone is more direct and focused this time around. The White House, which hosted the summit, said the CRI group planned to "take joint steps to stop ransomware actors from being able to use the cryptocurrency ecosystem." The CRI said sharing information about known crypto wallets used for laundering ransom funds was one part of the new strategy. The CRI group said its anti-crypto work will focus on "the development and implementation" standards to tackle "money laundering" and the "financing of terrorism". This includes the 'know your customer' rules to mitigate misuse of crypto by cyber criminals."

36-nation ransomware summit agrees to act on cryptocurrency

Commitments include international wallet info sharing, KYC requirements, and an AML crackdown

www.theregister.com

 

[[correlate]]

Good news, and finally we will get rid of those terrorist groups that attack companies, individuals and hospitals

 

[ScandinavianFish]

Make cryptocurrenty illegal, seriously. It has served no purpose in the world other than fuel cybercrime and consumed an entire country's worth of electricity usage

 

[Stopspying]

Australia fronts International Counter Ransomware Taskforce

The taskforce is a result of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative initially led by the US government and now counts on 37 members globally, including the European Union.

www.csoonline.com

"The International Counter Ransomware Taskforce (ICRTF), envisioned by the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI), kicked off its operations on Monday with Australia as its inaugural chair and coordinator. The CRI was first brought together in October 2021 with a virtual meeting of 30 countries, facilitated by the US White House National Security Council.
In November 2022, a second meeting took place where the following was established by the 37 participating member:

• Hold ransomware actors accountable for their crimes and not provide them safe haven.
• Combat ransomware actors’ ability to profit from illicit proceeds by implementing and enforcing anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures, including “know your customer” (KYC) rules, for virtual assets and virtual asset service providers.
• Disrupt and bring to justice ransomware actors and their enablers to the fullest extent permitted under each partner’s applicable laws and relevant authorities.
• Collaborate in disrupting ransomware by sharing information, where appropriate and in line with applicable laws and regulations, about the misuse of infrastructure to launch ransomware attacks to ensure national cyber infrastructure is not being used in ransomware attacks.

The intention of setting up a taskforce also originated from this second summit with the goal to develop cross-sectoral tools, and exchange cyber threat intelligence to increase early warning capabilities and prevent attacks. The taskforce would also help consolidate policy and best practice frameworks. It was established in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ Cyber and Critical Technology Coordination Centre.
The ICRTF will act as a medium for CRI to connect with industry for defensive and disruptive threat sharing and actions. The cyber security projects under ICRTF will be initiated in response to requests for assistance from members, and support opportunities to disrupt malicious actors on a case-by-case basis, Australia Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.
Reports on tools, tactics, and procedures to improve awareness of members will also be expected from the ICRTF....."