11-21-2024
BSV
$68.01
Vol 211.35m
-1.7%
BTC
$98015
Vol 119780.62m
3.75%
BCH
$478.99
Vol 2189.15m
8.25%
LTC
$88.55
Vol 1397.8m
4.92%
DOGE
$0.38
Vol 9424.07m
1.74%
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Australia’s top securities watchdog has sentenced digital asset lender Helio Lending Pty Ltd. to a one-year bond over false licensing claims.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) siad Helios falsely claimed to hold an Australian credit license (ACL).

ASIC sentenced the lender to an AUD15,000 (US$9,600) non-conviction bond for 12 months on the condition of good behavior. Under the bond’s stipulations, Helio can only be convicted if it breaks the conditions of the bond within the following year. False licensing claims can attract up to $16,000 in fines for individuals and $160,000 for corporates in Australia.

The bond is the culmination of legal action that the watchdog launched against the lender at the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court in April 2022.

ASIC alleged that in September 2018, Helio published a news article on its website claiming to hold the ACL license. It continued to make similar claims in ensuing months, including through another post on its website in February 2019.

However, the regulator withdrew the other charges after Helio pleaded guilty to the first offense in September 2018.

“We expect entities and individuals to provide accurate information to their customers and potential customers. Helio falsely claimed that it held an Australian Credit licence, misleading their customers to believe that they had the protections afforded by such a licence,” stated ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court in her comments.

The sentencing comes when Australia has ramped up its digital asset clampdown. ASIC leads in industry crackdowns and regulation. Earlier this month, it sued Israeli-based online broker eToro for targeting retail traders with its complex and volatile contract for difference (CFD) products, which include digital assets. Just weeks earlier, it revoked FTX Australia’s license.

Aussie banks have joined in on the digital asset crackdown. Three of the country’s four largest banks have banned or placed restrictions on exchange transfers to curb scams. The latest bank to make a similar move was Bendigo Bank which announced a ban on high-risk digital asset payments earlier this month.

CoinGeek Conversations with Dr. Craig Wright: Crypto regulation will make life easier for BSV

Recommended for you

BIT Mining hit with $10M fine over bribery charges
In its previous existence as a casino and sports lottery firm, BIT Mining reportedly paid $2 million in bogus consultation...
November 21, 2024
Donald Trump’s role in the ‘crypto’ boom
Donald Trump pledged to make the United States the "crypto capital of the world." For the first time in nearly...
November 21, 2024
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement