-- A Big AppLovin Critic Walked Back Some Of Its Claims. The Stock Jumped. [Major Indexes Rise as Tech Stocks Surge][There Was an 'Unmistakeable' Flight to Value Last Week][What's Next for Crypto After a Rough Week?][How Much Coca-Cola Stock is Expected to Move After Earnings]- Top StoriesEven with Monday's gains, shares of AppLovin have lost about 37% from December's highs amid heightened scrutiny of its practices and investors.Gabby Jones / Bloomberg / Getty ImagesClose### Key Takeaways- CapitalWatch said ...

AppLovin ( NASDAQ:APP ) has been on quite a rollercoaster following a scathing report from short-seller CapitalWatch that accused the company of basically serving as a "digital laundromat†for Asian crime groups and claimed AppLovin's ad tools were helping launder billions through shady networks. ...

Core Viewpoint - Deutsche Bank is under investigation by German authorities for potential money laundering activities linked to past dealings with firms associated with Roman Abramovich [1] Group 1: Investigation Details - German authorities have raided Deutsche Bank's offices in Frankfurt and Berlin as part of a money laundering probe [1] - The investigation focuses on past business relationships with foreign companies suspected of being involved in money laundering [1] - The Frankfurt prosecutor's office confirmed their presence at Deutsche Bank's offices but did not disclose the names of the firms involved [1] Group 2: Company Response - A spokesperson for Deutsche Bank acknowledged the investigation and stated that the bank is fully cooperating with authorities [1] - The bank declined to comment on any specific links to Abramovich [1]

Core Viewpoint - Deutsche Bank is under investigation by German law enforcement for potential money laundering activities linked to transactions involving Roman Abramovich, a Russian businessman under international sanctions [1][4]. Group 1: Investigation Details - The investigation focuses on historical transactions between 2013 and 2018 involving bank employees and businesses associated with Abramovich [2]. - Prosecutors have indicated that Deutsche Bank had business relationships with foreign companies suspected of being used for money laundering [2]. - Specific identities of individuals at the bank and the foreign companies involved have not been disclosed [2]. Group 2: Deutsche Bank's Response - Deutsche Bank has confirmed the search of its offices and stated that it is fully cooperating with the public prosecutor's office, but has not provided further comments [3]. - The bank has a history of facing money laundering-related issues, including a $630 million penalty in 2017 for facilitating the movement of $10 billion out of Russia [5]. Group 3: Background on Abramovich - Abramovich has significant wealth from oil and gas ventures and is alleged to have connections with the Russian government, which he denies [5]. - He has been subject to UK and EU sanctions since March 2022 due to Russia's military actions in Ukraine [4]. Group 4: Previous Incidents - Deutsche Bank has faced multiple investigations related to money laundering, including a $41 million fine from the US Federal Reserve in 2017 for deficiencies in its anti-money-laundering systems [6]. - The bank's offices were previously raided in 2018 as part of inquiries related to the Panama Papers [6].

Frankfurt prosecutors and the Federal Criminal Police Office conducted searches at Deutsche Bank’s premises Wednesday (Jan. 28) as part of an investigation into allegations of money laundering involving bank staff, according to a Wednesday (Jan. 28) report from Bloomberg.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .The raids took place ...

Core Viewpoint - AppLovin's shares have dropped significantly following allegations of enabling money laundering through connections to Asian criminal networks, with a 15% decline over three trading sessions and an additional 8% drop in premarket trading [1][2] Allegations and Claims - CapitalWatch's report accuses major shareholders of using AppLovin's advertising tools to launder billions in illicit funds from China and Southeast Asia, linking these funds to approximately 6.67 billion yuan in illegal proceeds from a collapsed peer-to-peer lending platform and scams [2][3][4] - The report describes a "Mobius Loop" system where criminal groups pay for ads through intermediaries, converting illicit money into legitimate revenue, involving AppLovin's AXON algorithm and Array software [4] - Allegations also include that AppLovin's algorithms facilitate the distribution of gambling and scam apps, targeting vulnerable users, and that a hidden team in mainland China manages U.S. user data, raising regulatory scrutiny concerns [5] Historical Context - AppLovin has faced scrutiny from various research firms over the years regarding its data handling and growth strategies, with previous reports alleging ad fraud and violations of data privacy [6][7][8] - The SEC opened an investigation into AppLovin's data practices in October 2022, following multiple short-seller reports raising concerns about the company's operations and compliance [8] Market Reaction and Investor Considerations - The severity of the allegations could expose AppLovin to lawsuits if found unfounded, prompting discussions among investors about whether to sell or wait for an official response from the company [9][10] - Given the significant rise in shares over the past year, locking in gains may be a prudent strategy while monitoring ongoing developments related to the allegations [10]

Core Viewpoint - AppLovin's shares have dropped significantly following allegations of enabling money laundering through connections with Asian criminal networks, as reported by CapitalWatch [2][4]. Group 1: Allegations and Financial Impact - CapitalWatch's report claims that major shareholders utilized AppLovin's advertising tools to launder billions in illicit funds from China and Southeast Asia [3][4]. - Following the report, AppLovin's stock fell 15% over three trading sessions and is down an additional 8% in premarket trading, reaching approximately $528 per share [3][7]. - The report links illegal funds to around 6.67 billion yuan from China's Tuandaiwang platform and revenues from Southeast Asian scams [4]. Group 2: Operational Insights - The report describes a "Mobius Loop" system where criminal groups pay for ads through intermediaries, converting illicit money into legitimate revenue using AppLovin's AXON algorithm and Array software [5]. - Allegations include that AppLovin's algorithms facilitate the distribution of gambling and scam apps, targeting vulnerable users [6]. - There are claims of a hidden team in mainland China managing U.S. user data, which could attract regulatory scrutiny despite the CEO's downplaying of operations in China [6].

Group 1 - The Feeding Our Future case is described as one of the largest Covid-19 fraud schemes in the U.S., involving the theft of over $250 million in federal child-nutrition funds intended for low-income children [2][4] - Nearly 100 individuals have been charged in connection with the case, with at least 60 convictions reported [2] - The case has sparked a politically charged debate in Minnesota, leading to increased federal law enforcement actions and protests [3] Group 2 - The rise in money laundering activities is highlighted, with a reported 168% increase in detected money laundering accounts in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year [4] - The IRS Criminal Investigation Division reported over $10.59 billion in financial crimes for fiscal year 2025, marking a 15.7% increase from fiscal year 2024 [5] - Criminals are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence in their money laundering efforts, raising concerns for financial institutions [6] Group 3 - Anti-money laundering efforts are critical for corporate compliance, with significant penalties for failures, as exemplified by Goldman Sachs' $2.9 billion payment in 2020 related to the 1MDB scandal [7]

Core Insights - India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has implemented stricter compliance requirements for cryptocurrency platforms, focusing on enhanced identity verification for users nationwide [1][2] Group 1: User Verification Enhancements - Regulated crypto exchanges must now verify users through live selfie authentication and geographic location data during the onboarding process [1] - The new rules require dynamic movement in live selfies, such as eye-blinking or head turns, to prevent static images or deepfake attacks from bypassing identity controls [2] - Platforms must collect detailed information at sign-up, including latitude, longitude, date, timestamp, and IP address to ensure the identity of the user [3] Group 2: Documentation and Verification Requirements - Users are required to submit a secondary form of identification in addition to a Permanent Account Number (PAN), which may include a passport, Aadhaar card, or voter ID [4] - Email addresses and mobile numbers will undergo one-time password (OTP) verification, and a small bank transaction of 1 rupee will be used to verify account ownership [5] Group 3: Compliance for High-Risk Users - Users flagged as high-risk will face more frequent compliance checks, with KYC details updated every six months compared to an annual refresh for standard users [6] - Enhanced due diligence is required for high-risk individuals, including those with ties to tax havens or politically exposed persons (PEPs) [6] Group 4: Stance on Anonymity and ICOs - The FIU has taken a strong stance against anonymity-enhancing tools, such as mixers and tumblers, which are used to conceal transaction trails [7] - The guidance also strongly discourages Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Initial Token Offerings (ITOs), citing heightened risks related to money laundering and terror financing [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses the potential control of $60 billion in Bitcoin by Alex Saab for the Maduro regime, highlighting the ongoing financial battle on the blockchain as Maduro faces legal challenges in the U.S. [1][2][51] Group 1: Financial Operations - The Maduro regime systematically looted Venezuela's resources, converting billions in oil revenue and gold reserves into cryptocurrency, primarily Bitcoin [4][24]. - In 2018, Venezuela exported 73.2 tons of gold, valued at approximately $2.7 billion, which was converted into Bitcoin through a network of intermediaries [6][25]. - The conversion of gold proceeds into Bitcoin was facilitated by OTC brokers in Turkey and the UAE, with the Bitcoin moved through mixers and cold wallets to obscure its origin [29][30]. Group 2: Key Figures - Alex Saab is identified as the central figure orchestrating the conversion of Venezuela's gold into cryptocurrency, having built a shadow financial architecture for the regime [5][11]. - David Nicolas Rubio Gonzalez, a key courier in the gold-to-crypto pipeline, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury but has not faced criminal charges, raising questions about his potential cooperation with authorities [12][20]. - Saab's dual role as a contractor and informant for U.S. law enforcement complicates the narrative, as he provided information on high-level corruption while building the regime's financial empire [8][46]. Group 3: Implications of Maduro's Capture - With Maduro now in U.S. custody, the focus shifts to whether Saab will cooperate again or if he will retain control over the keys to Venezuela's hidden crypto fortune [9][51]. - The infrastructure established for cryptocurrency transactions may outlast the Maduro regime, posing challenges for recovery of the stolen assets [51][52]. - The article raises critical questions about the whereabouts of key figures like Saab and Gonzalez, and the potential for the $60 billion in Bitcoin to remain inaccessible [53][54].