The Governor of New York has proposed to amend the state’s Financial Services Law (FSL), which could mean cryptocurrency businesses under its jurisdiction will have to pay for costs associated with oversight conducted by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

North Korean hackers are using Telegram to steal users’ cryptocurrency. By setting up fake cryptocurrency trading platforms, the hackers lure users to Telegram groups where they’re sent malicious files that give the attackers access to their devices.

Data shows that most Bitcoin ATMs are located in the United States and Canada. North America was found to have 77% of all cryptocurrency ATMs in the world, while Asia only has 2.1%.

Top stories in the Crypto Roundup today:

• NY Governor Wants Crypto Businesses to Pay Their Own Regulation Costs
• North Korean Hacking Group Using Telegram to Steal Cryptocurrency
• 66% of All Bitcoin ATMs Are in the U.S., While 2.1% Are in Asia

At the time of writing, bitcoin (BTC) is trading at $7,697.98 (-2.31%) with a daily Top Tier volume of $2.02 billion. As for ether (ETH), it is trading at $135.96 (-1.81%) with a daily Top Tier volume of $324.64 mn. The MVIS CryptoCompare Digital Assets 10 Index is currently tracking at 2,41.98 (-0.76%).

NY Governor Wants Crypto Businesses to Pay Their Own Regulation Costs

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has reportedly proposed to amend the state’s Financial Services Law (FSL) so that licensed cryptocurrency businesses have to pay for regulation costs associated with oversight conducted by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

The proposal is part of the governor’s “Making Progress Happen” 2020 agenda, and points out that companies licensed under the Insurance Law are required to pay assessments to the NYDGS, while those under the FSL – including cryptocurrency businesses – aren’t. Cuomo’s policy guidebook reads:

“The Governor proposes to amend the FSL to place such entities on an even footing with other financial services companies.”

The NYDFS is responsible for issuing the controversial BitLicense, a license for virtual currency businesses in New York that saw major crypto exchanges, like Kraken, leave the state over the costs associated with it.

By the end of last year, two dozen BitLicenses have been issued by the NYDFS. If Cuomo’s amendment is passed, it could increase operating costs for every crypto business under the FSL’s jurisdiction.

North Korean Hacking Group Using Telegram to Steal Cryptocurrency

Lazarus, an infamous hacking group believed to have ties to the North Korean government, is using the privacy-centric messaging app Telegram to steal cryptocurrency users’ funds, using fake cryptocurrency trading platforms to do so.

According to cybersecurity researchers at Kaspersky, evidence suggests the group has been changing its attack methodology by taking “careful steps” and “employing improved tactics and procedures” to be effective via Telegram.

The group uses fake cryptocurrency exchanges set up by the group with what appear to be free web templates to lure in victims. These fake exchanges direct users to their Telegram channels, where they are sent malicious files that give the hackers access to their devices.

Kaspersky’s researchers reportedly identified victims from Poland, the UK, Russia, and China. The victims confirmed they ran cryptocurrency businesses, a well-known target for Lazarus. The group has in the past been accused of hacking South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Bithumb.

66% of All Bitcoin ATMs Are in the U.S., While 2.1% Are in Asia

Data from CoinATMRadar, compiled by LearnBonds shows that the U.S. is clearly ahead when it comes to installed Bitcoin ATMs, having a total of 4,274, which represent 66.2% of all cryptocurrency ATMs throughout the world.

Canada comes second with a total of 678 Bitcoin ATMs, followed by the United Kingdom’s 283 machines. Austria is the only other country passing the three-digit mark with 184 ATMs, while Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Poland, Greece, and the Czech Republic all have over 50 crypto ATMs.

This distribution means that in North America there are 77% of the world’s cryptocurrency ATMs. It’s followed by Europe, where 19.1% of global ATMs are installed. Asia, on the other hand, has a total of 133 Bitcoin ATMs, equivalent to 2.1% of the global total. Oceania follows it with 22 ATMs, equivalent to 0.3&, with Africa coming in last with 11 ATMs (0.2%).

Over the past 12 months, a total of 2,351 Bitcoin ATMs were installed throughout the globe, counting both ATMs that only let users buy cryptocurrency and ATMs that let users buy and sell cryptocurrency.

State of the Crypto by Top Tier Exchange Volume

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