Key dealers
- The US Department of Homeland Security examines Anchorage Digital Bank for economic methods.
- Anchorage has expanded its partnership with Blackrock for custody services in crypto assets.
The US Department of Homeland Security’s El Dorado Task Force has launched an investigation by Anchorage Digital Bank, the first and only chartered Digital Asset Bank in the USA, Barron’s reported Monday, with reference to sources with knowledge of the matter.
The working group, which focuses on combating money laundering and other financial crimes, has contacted the reports of previous employees as part of their investigation. But the details about the probe are currently unknown.
Anchorage Digital is a recognized name in the digital asset space, after collaborating with large institutions such as Cantor Fitzgerald, previously led by Howard Lutnick, which currently acts as a trade secretary during the Trump administration, and also with Blackrock.
In November last year, Cantor Fitzgerald established a partnership with Anchorage and Copper to act as security managers and guardians for their new global Bitcoin financing business. The collaboration aims to offer Top-N-Digital Asset Custody Services, starting with $ 2 billion in first financing.
Blackrock has recently lost the bank for its place Crypto ETF care. The Fund Management Gigant offers two Spot ETFs bound to Bitcoin and Ethereum, Ibit and Etha funds.
As of March 31, Blackrock’s Spot Crypto ETF had approximately $ 50 billion in assets under management, according to its Q1 revenue Report.
This is not the first time Anchorage Digital has encountered regulatory review. In 2022, the office of the foreign exchange controller (OCC) took action against its banks so as not to fulfill BSA/AML obligations according to its operating agreement.
