Crypto Moves — Ether down; US imposes sanctions on Bitriver; Coinbase launches NFT marketplace

Crypto Moves — Ether down; US imposes sanctions on Bitriver; Coinbase launches NFT marketplace

RIYADH: Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency internationally, traded higher on Thursday, up 0.25 percent to $41,533 as of 09.00 a.m. Riyadh time. Ether, the second most traded cryptocurrency, was priced at $3,082, down 0.29 percent, according to data from Coindesk. The world's largest cryptocurrency exchange is deactivating the accounts of its major clients in Russia, it said on Thursday, cutting back its services in the country in line with EU sanctions. Binance told users that Russian nationals and people living in the country, as well as companies based there, that hold crypto worth over 10,000 euros ($10,900), would be banned from making new deposits or trading. Affected clients would however be able to withdraw funds, it said. The US on Wednesday imposed sanctions on dozens of people and entities, including a Russian commercial bank and a virtual currency mining company, Bitriver, hoping to target Moscow’s evasion of existing sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Treasury Department said it designated a virtual currency mining company for the first time, alongside more than 40 people and entities led by US-designated Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev. “Treasury can and will target those who evade, attempt to evade, or aid the evasion of US sanctions