RCMP asks crypto-exchanges to halt trading in wallets linked to truck convoy protests

reported by The Globe and Mail. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Canada’s federal police force), sent letters to several cryptocurrency exchanges asking them to “cease facilitating transactions” with more that 30 addresses. This was in response to ongoing truck protests. The letter states:

“Any information regarding a transaction or proposed transactions in respect of these addresses, must be immediately disclosed to the Commissioner of Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”

Two days earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, representing Canada’s ruling Liberal Party, invoked the Emergencies Act to respond to a convoy of truckers who occupied Ottawa, protesting COVID-19 vaccine and health restrictions. The protest has been ongoing since 20 days. Banks have the power to suspend Freedom Convoy protesters’ bank account without civil liability under the Act.

Protesters have raised more than $19 million through the crowdfunding platforms GoFundMe or GiveSendGo. But, the funds have not been able to reach the convoy. Protestors created the HonkHonk Hodl organization and raised almost $1 million through the Tallycoin BTC crowdfunding platform.

It appears that protestors in Ottawa’s downtown area received a written ultimatum to “leave now” or face possible fines and jail time. The Emergencies Act also allows travel bans to be placed in certain areas. The notice states that anyone coming to Ottawa to participate in the ongoing demonstration is violating the law.

Jon
Opinion writer on 7trade7