California regulators win $20 million settlement from Silvergate
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation has reached a $20 million settlement with Silvergate Bank’s parent company after the bank’s anti-money laundering program failed to meet standards.
The cryptocurrency-focused bank was liquidated in 2023 after its stock price fell 36%, and regulatory changes forced the company to rethink its operations.
With $11 billion in assets, Silvergate was one of two major options for cryptocurrency firms, along with New York-based Signature Bank.
Cryptocurrency expert Kane Pepi explains that there is significant long-term potential for consumers to be curious about cryptocurrencies. Which cryptocurrency to buyHe continued to discuss the stability of existing cryptocurrencies due to significant investments by major brands in Web3 and blockchain technology, but this did not help Silvergate.
The company tried to stabilize the bank by cutting its staff by 40% before pulling out of the market.
But the company’s problems didn’t end there. It was accused by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, the Federal Reserve, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of failing to comply with anti-money laundering regulations and disclosing false information about the effectiveness of its programs.
Silvergate Capital Corporation recently reached a $63 million settlement, under which the Federal Reserve will receive $43 million and California regulators will receive $20 million.
The SEC initially sued the bank, claiming that shareholders and the public were misled into believing that the bank’s AML program was adequate. The SEC’s $50 million fine will be offset by the amount Silvergates paid to the regulator.
A 2022 investigation by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) revealed deficiencies in the institution’s Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) programs.
The SEC also alleged that Silvergate failed to identify and investigate approximately $9 billion worth of suspicious transfers made by FTX.
FTX crashed in 2022.It has led to several lawsuits and allegations of fraud and misleading activity. Before its downfall, FTX was one of the top cryptocurrency exchange platforms. As the value of Bitcoin fell in 2021 and 2022, other exchanges began to close, but FTX continued to grow by acquiring competitors.
The company’s lack of diversity led to its downfall. CoinDesk revealed Its reliance on its balance sheet and its own digital token, FTT.
Silvergate was popular among cryptocurrency companies because of its Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN), which allowed customers to easily transfer funds. But the government’s Office of the Inspector General found that the bank failed to monitor its systems as nearly $1 trillion in transactions were made through it.
The bank’s filings then failed to acknowledge these risks or disclose that they were aware of the defects.
Silvergate’s decision to liquidate was made without government assistance and repaid all deposits to bank customers. The settlement will end the investigations conducted by the SEC, DFPI, and the Federal Reserve, and will end the voluntary liquidation.
Despite the loss of Silvergate, the cryptocurrency industry has recovered and is seeing more adoption from home retail brands. The failure of some U.S. states to update their gambling regulations for the digital age is also affecting overseas and Crypto Gambling Sites It is growing in popularity, especially among consumers in states subject to strict regulations.
The luxury retail sector is also benefiting from decentralized cryptocurrencies that offer lower transaction fees, making international transactions easier.
Blockchain technology, which is essential to cryptocurrencies, is also being implemented in the real estate industry to help automate processes and speed up transactions.
Silvergate’s loss will be a huge blow to the cryptocurrency industry, but its adaptability and resilience make it a popular option for savvy investors and tech enthusiasts alike.
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