US crackdown exposes Burma crypto scam network using fake trading sites

  • DOJ seizes Burma-linked trading domains used for major crypto scam operations.
  • Fraud network tied to Tai Chang compound used fake platforms to lure victims.
  • FBI alerts led to app removals and Meta shutting 2,000+ accounts tied to scams.

The United States Justice Department has widened its action against a major scam network in Burma, focusing on how the group used fraudulent trading sites to run large crypto investment schemes.

The latest step involved seizing the domain tickmilleas.com, which looked like a functioning trading platform but was actually tied to the Tai Chang compound, also known as Casino Kosai, in Kyaukhat.

The update came in a December 2 announcement from the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs and builds on a series of efforts aimed at disrupting transnational online fraud linked to Southeast Asia.

Crypto scam links widen

The takedown followed earlier moves in the same week when two additional domains were seized after being linked to the same Burma-based compound.

These domains formed a network of sites built to mimic legitimate investment services.

Each platform carried fabricated dashboards, fake transaction logs, and simulated returns that made victims believe their funds were being actively managed.

Tai Chang is part of a system of scam compounds that operate across the region.

These complexes are often controlled by criminal networks that rely on trafficked or coerced workers to run online scams.

They have grown rapidly in countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, which have become hotspots for crypto fraud operations.

Many of the victims are targeted through trading sites that appear authentic but are designed to channel money into criminal groups.

Fraud networks shift tactics

The DOJ identified Tai Chang as having clear links to entities already sanctioned by the United States.

These include the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and the Trans Asia International Holding Group.

Both were recently listed as Specially Designated Nationals because of their association with Chinese organised crime and their involvement in building scam centres across Southeast Asia.

Their participation has contributed to the spread of fraudulent investment operations throughout the region.

Investigators found that tickmilleas.com was deliberately designed to resemble a real investment platform.

It included dashboard features, performance charts, and false deposit records that suggested active trading.

Victims were also encouraged to download mobile applications from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

After the FBI alerted both companies, many of these applications were removed from the platforms.

Information provided by the agency also led to Meta shutting down more than 2,000 accounts across its social media platforms.

These accounts were used to direct users to the fraudulent investment sites and maintain the appearance of a legitimate trading ecosystem.

Seized domain examined

Although the tickmilleas.com domain was registered only in early November 2025, several individuals had already fallen victim to the scheme within the past month.

According to the DOJ, the platform was actively used to defraud people who believed they were participating in real crypto investments.

The site currently displays a notice confirming that it has been seized by law enforcement.

The DOJ stated that the action forms part of a broader effort to prevent US infrastructure from being used to support international fraud.

The coordinated takedowns of domains and malicious applications aim to cut off the digital channels that allow scam compounds to reach victims worldwide.

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Altcoins today: Grayscale’s LINK ETF debuts; HYPE and ASTER soar up to 13%

  • Grayscale has launched the first US spot LINK ETF today.
  • HYPE rallies after Sonnet shareholders authorize Hyperliquid DAT’s merger.
  • ASTER gains more than 13% on a new collaboration with WLFI.

Cryptos rebounded on Tuesday as the value of all tokens increased by more than 6% to $3.06 trillion.

Bitcoin has reclaimed $90,000 as Ethereum trades above $3,000.

This article evaluates three altcoins, Chainlink, HYPE, and ASTER, that remained in the spotlight today for various reasons.

Grayscale’s spot Chainlink ETF goes live

Grayscale has officially converted its Chainlink Trust to an ETF today, introducing the first-ever US exchange-traded fund.

The debut has met considerable anticipation among the cryptocurrency community as many view Chainlink’s oracle infrastructure as crucial to tokenized real-world assets (RWA) and decentralized finance (DeFi).

Commenting on GLINK’s debut, Grayscale’s ETF official Inkoo Kand said:

Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network is setting the market standard for verifiable data and cross-chain connectivity that underpins tokenization and DeFi across public blockchains. With GLINK, investors can gain exposure to this foundational infrastructure in the familiar ETP wrapper.

Meanwhile, GLINK will simplify institutional access to Chainlink, allowing traditional investors to interact with crypto without directly handling the token.

LINK reacted positively to the ETF news, gaining more than 12% to trade at $13.32.

HYPE gains 10% after key milestone

HYPE soared more than 10% over the past 24 hours after Sonnet confirmed a crucial structural breakthrough.

According to today’s, December 2, press release, the company’s shareholders have approved the decision to introduce Hyperliquid Decentralized Autonomous Treasury (DAT).

The plan involves Sonnet merging with Rorschach I LLC to form a unified entity called Hyperliquid Strategies.

Most importantly, the new firm plans to raise $1 billion to buy HYPE.

The massive bet signals unwavering institutional trust in the altcoin.

HYPE is hovering at $33.03 after gaining over 10% within the past 24 hours.

ASTER rallies after WLFI alliance

Aster’s native coin also recorded impressive price actions, gaining over 13% within the last 24 hours.

The upside momentum coincided with a strategic collaboration with Donald Trump-affiliated World Liberty Financial.

Aster founder and CEO Leonard announced the alliance at the fintech and crypto conference in Dubai.

Under this agreement, the decentralized exchange will integrate WLFI’s USD1 – a move designed to enrich the stablecoin’s adoption.

The altcoin is trading above the $1 psychological level after gaining over 13% on its daily price chart.

ASTER eyes further rallies, but declining 24-hour trading volumes highlight weakness.

Meanwhile, the broader crypto market remained elevated today, recovering from sharp dips in the past few sessions.

Bitcoin has gained over 7% on its daily price chart, while Ethereum increased by 10%.

Quantitative tightening ending and renewed ETFs interest fuel the current upside momentum.

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CRO spikes 10% on Adlard’s appointment at Cronos Labs as Bitcoin breaks $90K

  • Cronos token CRO traded higher on Tuesday as cryptocurrencies bid for an uptick.
  • The altcoin’s price was up more than 10% in 24 hours to $0.11.
  • Gains for the altcoin came amid a huge move by Cronos Labs, the accelerator arm of Crypto.com.

On Tuesday, the Cronos Labs team revealed the appointment of industry veteran Edward Adlard as Head of Ecosystem.

Timed amid growing adoption of the project’s offering, it is a move that sparked further positive market response.

CRO token gained by over 10% to above $0.11, a rebound from intraday lows of $0.098. Altcoins were up as Bitcoin price broke to $90,000.

Cronos Labs appoints new ecosystem head

Edward Adlard is the new Head of Ecosystem at Cronos Labs, the Crypto.com tied platform announced on December 2, 2025. The appointment positions him at the forefront of the network’s expansion strategy.

According to details, Adlard brings proven leadership in scaling ecosystems while prioritizing regulatory compliance. His stature as a veteran of the bridging of web2 and web3 adds to the expertise and expectations.

“Cronos has an active community, a strong technical foundation, and proven high-performance infrastructure,” Adlard stated in the official announcement.

He added:

“The next chapter is about accelerating ecosystem growth by deploying cutting-edge new use cases that drive an increase in users, liquidity, and builders. I believe Cronos is uniquely positioned to benefit from the maturing of global crypto regulations due to its institutional-ready stack, compliance-ready primitives, and opportunity to more deeply partner with Crypto.com.”

Notably, Adlard has recently served as CEO of Instalabs, a regulated institutional cross-chain bridge that facilitated seamless asset transfers across blockchains.

Before that, he was Vice President of Growth, Business Development, and Strategy at the Tezos Foundation.

At Tezos, Adlard helped shape ecosystem initiatives, chaired the investment committee, and directed funding toward infrastructure builders.

His web2 tenure at Amazon included spearheading the turnaround of the Amazon Money Store in the UK and overseeing Prime Video operations across Europe, honing skills in operational efficiency and multi-market expansion.

In his new role, Adlard will oversee ecosystem strategy, growth programs, partner integrations, and developer initiatives.

His mandate centers on accelerating institutional tokenization and fostering AI-driven innovations to enhance Cronos’s high-performance infrastructure.

CRO price jumps 10%

Amid the news, Cronos token’s price jumped. CRO is the utility asset powering transactions and staking on the Cronos network and has experienced sharp gains in recent months following ecosystem developments.

On Tuesday, CRO climbed from an overnight low of $0.098, touching highs of $0.11.

This marked a 10% uptick in 24 hours and came as trading volume spiked by over 38% to over $27 million.

While ecosystem news has helped bulls, Cronos’ price is also ticking up amid a 5% spike in Bitcoin’s price.

The benchmark digital asset recovered sharply on December 2, 2025, and traded above $90,000 as risk assets pumped.

BTC’s uptick and Cronos ecosystem’s growth, bolstered by Adlard’s expertise in regulated infrastructure, could bolster the short-term forecasts for CRO.

If bulls maintain control above $0.10, the potential for further gains means buyers eyeing $0.14 and then $0.20 next.

 

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