
NLJ serves up a double helping of crypto this week. First, Andrew Bird KC takes a detailed look at the powers to freeze and destroy digital assets. Next up, Iain Young covers the legal landscape of crypto in Scotland & England
Criminal gangs are exploiting crypto to hold and trade the proceeds of crime. Consequently, new powers were added to the crimefighter’s arsenal in April. Bird KC, of 5 St Andrew’s Hill, takes a detailed look at what’s available and how the powers can be used.
Bird writes: ‘The extension to the criminal powers brings cryptoassets squarely within the scope of restraint and enforcement powers.’
Meanwhile, Scotland has different laws on digital assets and therefore faces unique obstacles in this area, as Young, partner at Morton Fraser MacRoberts, explains.
Young covers key questions about the transfer of digital assets in Scotland and England, as well as their legal status, security interests, traceability, accessibility, title proof, and the implications of insolvency.