United States authorities have launched an initiative targeting crypto platforms and individuals allegedly involved in illegal financial operations in Russia.
This multi-agency effort includes coordination between the US Treasury, Department of Justice, and State Departments, as well as collaboration with global law enforcement agencies.
A primary focus of this crackdown is the Russian crypto exchange PM2BTC. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) identified the exchange and its operator, Sergey Ivanov, as major players in money laundering schemes.
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PM2BTC is accused of handling transactions linked to ransomware attacks and other unlawful activities, with reports suggesting that over half of its dealings are tied to illegal enterprises. FinCEN also highlighted the exchange's connection to the Universal Anonymous Payment System (UAPS), a clandestine payment network.
The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned both Ivanov and another cryptocurrency exchange, Cryptex. This exchange serves primarily Russian clients and has processed more than $720 million in transactions connected to Russian cybercriminals, including ransomware operations, fraud networks, exchanges that bypass essential Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, and services that obscure financial transactions through mixers.
US authorities, in partnership with international counterparts, have taken control of the domains and infrastructure linked to PM2BTC, Cryptex, and their associated entities.
Sergey Ivanov has also been formally charged with conspiring to commit bank fraud and trading stolen credit card data. Another Russian national, Timur Shakhmametov, faces multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit access device fraud and money laundering.
To capture these suspects, the US State Department is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Ivanov or Shakhmametov.
This action represents an effort to disrupt the role of crypto exchanges in facilitating criminal activities.
In other news, German authorities have closed 47 crypto exchanges accused of enabling cybercriminals to launder illicit funds on a large scale.
