Abstract
This article shows the recent development of the illicit activities in the cryptocurrency environment. The text describes the ongoing switch from an individual criminal who perpetuates conversion related crimes to the more complicated criminal schemes of wash trading perpetuated by the cryptocurrency exchanges or other organized groups.
The unresolved background question remains whether the exchanges unknowingly allow the abuse of their systems or whether they purposefully avail themselves with the proceeds of the criminal activity. Even thought, the evidence supporting direct involvement is scarce the overall circumstances suggest it.
In response the US government proposed two bills allocating more power to the corresponding federal agencies to repudiate those frauds and to protect the customers.