Canada’s national police have sent letters to cryptocurrency exchanges asking them to freeze at least 34 crypto addresses allegedly connected to the Freedom Convoy protests under the Emergencies Act recently invoked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Banks have also received letters about “designated persons” tied to the protests as the police vow to take back Ottawa.
Canadian Police Force Orders Exchanges To Freeze Crypto Addresses
Canada’s federal police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has reportedly sent letters to financial institutions, including banks and cryptocurrency exchanges, with a list of individuals and crypto addresses.
The letter to crypto exchanges demands that they “cease facilitating any transactions” with a list of 34 crypto wallet addresses it provides. The RCMP claimed that the Freedom Convoy protests are linked to these addresses.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Ontario Provincial Police) are looking into cryptocurrency donations that were collected to support illegal acts within the Emergency Measures Act.
The letter continues: “Pursuant to the Emergency Economic Measures Order, under subsection 19(1) of the Emergencies Act, there is a duty to cease facilitating any transactions pertaining to the following cryptocurrency address(es).”
According to Counter Signal, of 34 crypto addresses available, 29 were bitcoin (BTC), and two were ethereum(ETH) addresses. This was based on a letter that it had obtained. Cardano (ADA), monero(XMR) and litecoin [LTC] addresses are the remaining three.
Honkhonkhodl’s campaign to support truckers included at least one wallet that contained more than $1 million worth of bitcoin. The publication also stated that every wallet had transacted cryptocurrency amounts between $0 and $1.1 millions.
The RCMP added that “Any information about a transaction or proposed transaction in respect of these address(es), is to be disclosed immediately to the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
Banks Receive Letters About ‘Designated Persons’
The RCMP sent a letter of a different nature to banks and other traditional financial institutions. According to Globe and Mail, about 20 individuals were named in the letters that the police sent to banks as having been involved with activities related to Freedom Convoy protests.
These letters contain photos and summary with information about some people who were, allegedly, the organizers of the protests.
The Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) confirmed banks have received letters about “designated persons” from the RCMP. Financial institutions must now disclose these customers’ banking details and transaction records to the RCMP or the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. They can however decide whether to suspend or freeze services.
Trudeau’s Emergencies Act and Police’s Vow to Take Back Ottawa in Entirety
Justin Trudeau (Canadian Prime Minister) invoked the Emergencies Act Monday in response to the Freedom Convoy protests. This Act grants law enforcement new powers to address protests and blockades against pandemic restrictions. Specifically, it enables financial services providers to “immediately freeze or suspend the account of an individual or business affiliated with these illegal blockades without a court order.”
Steve Bell was the interim police chief for the Ottawa Police Service and spoke Wednesday to the City Council:
We intend to reclaim all of downtown and all occupied spaces.
Bell explained that police officers will enforce a plan to remove anyone who refuses to leave, stating, “You will be hearing and seeing these actions in the coming days.”
Let us know your thoughts on the Canadian government’s handling of Freedom Convoy protests. Comment below to let us know your thoughts.
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