Latham & Watkins Discusses Ruling that Bitcoins Are “Funds” Under Money Transmitting Laws
On September 19, 2016, U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan of the Southern District of New York denied defendant Anthony R. Murgio’s motion to dismiss charges brought against him for, among other things, operating a Bitcoin exchange in violation of federal and state money transmitting laws. The decision adds to a growing body of federal precedent upholding the application of money transmitting laws to Bitcoin exchange businesses.
Analysis
The indictment against Murgio specifically alleges that the Bitcoin exchange he allegedly ran — Coin.mx — was an “unlicensed money transmitting business” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1960 (Section 1960). Section … Read more