Canadian law enforcement has started using specialized software to trace crypto while investigating cybercrimes. Police now have the ability to trace blockchain transactions, identify suspects and determine where funds have been deposited.
As revealed by local police to the Lethbridge Herald newspaper, the police forces are already enjoying access to Chainalysis Reactor software. The program helps to trace cryptocurrency from the point of origin until it’s been deposited on an exchange. Once the trace identifies the platform, police can request the account holder’s information and transaction data to see where the cryptocurrency was sent beyond the exchange.
One of the officers trained as a blockchain analysis investigator emphasized the importance of the software, which took the police’s work with crypto crimes to a new level — before that, agencies across Canada “used to run into a roadblock” once they determined a fraud involving digital assets.
The partnership between Chainalysis and the Calgary Police Service started in April 2023. Back then, the company revealed the launch of the Western Canada Cryptocurrency Investigations Centre, which focused on crimes involving blockchain.
Canada ranked 22nd in Chainalysis 2022’s Global Crypto Adoption Index, up from 26th in 2021 and 24th in 2020. In the same year, for every 1,000 Canadians, there was at least $1,144 Canadian dollars in total exposure to illicit crypto activity, according to Chainalysis.
In August, the Bank of Canada reported a decline in the ownership of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in the country. By the end of 2022, 10.1% of Canadians have been holding Bitcoin (BTC), down from 13.1% in 2021.
A new bill in Wisconsin could exempt local crypto users and businesses from money transmitter licenses, boosting mining, staking, and blockchain development.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told the BMA doctors’ union to “pick a side” between Reform and Labour over their pay dispute.
Mr Streeting, talking to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, said the Labour Party will always be on the side of the NHS, while Reform leader Nigel Farage would “check your credit card before your pulse”.
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The health secretary sits down with Sky’s Beth Rigby in the latest episode of Electoral Dysfunction.
In July, resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, went on strike over their pay and are threatening to strike again following years of walkouts under the previous Tory government.
In a preview of what his speech on Tuesday to the Labour Party conference will focus on, Mr Streeting said: “I’d say to the BMA, pick a side because you’ve got a choice here and there’s a government that wants to work with you.”
During a live recording of Electoral Dysfunction at the conference in Liverpool, he added: “What I’ve said to the BMA is the NHS is hanging by a thread, don’t pull it.
“It wouldn’t be in the interest of the BMA – there isn’t a more pro-doctor, pro-NHS government waiting in the wings.”
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He mentioned Mr Farage’s plan to introduce health insurance, adding: “The BMA should really think about this in terms of their members.”
Mr Farage has also pledged to abolish indefinite leave to remain and put in place a minimum salary of £60,000 for skilled worker visas.
Image: Speaking on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Wes Streeting told the BMA to ‘pick a side’
The health secretary said that would be “shooting ourselves in the foot” when it comes to NHS staff.
“Farage says ‘go home’, the Labour Party says ‘this is your home and with us this will always be your home’,” he said.
Lib Dems are ‘frenemies’
Mr Streeting said he thinks there will be lots of disaffected Conservative voters who do not want to see Reform in government, and said they are “welcome to get behind us”.
He added some of those voters will support the Lib Dems, who he called “frenemies” of Labour – “some days they’re friends, some days they’re enemies” – but said “we have a common enemy in Reform”.
Image: Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham
We need Burnham on the pitch
Mr Streeting also addressed the potential of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham challenging Sir Keir Starmer for his premiership.
He said he thought Mr Burnham claiming there is a “culture of fear” within the Labour Party “was an overstatement”.
Asked if the mayor is a team player, Mr Streeting said: “On his best days, yes.”
But he said recently “he’s had his ups and downs”.
However, he added: “I think the thing about Andy, he’s one of our star players, and we need him on the pitch.”