Binance shared Russia crypto data in case
- Binance provided Russian investigators with customer records linked to more than $700 in crypto donations to Ukraine.
- The records were later cited as evidence in terrorism financing charges against Russian IT specialist Yuri Belenkiy.
- Binance says it responds to lawful information requests while following privacy and regulatory requirements.
Binance provided Russian investigators with customer data linked to crypto donations to Ukraine, Reuters reported.
The records concerned Russian IT specialist Yuri Belenkiy, who allegedly sent more than $700 in crypto to Ukraine-linked organisations.
Russian investigators used Binance transaction records as evidence supporting terrorism financing charges against Belenkiy.
The records reportedly included his address, phone number, date of birth, passport and Bulgarian residency permit.
“Like other global financial institutions, we cooperate with lawful information requests from law enforcement globally, subject to applicable legal, privacy and regulatory requirements,” Binance said.
Binance announced its full exit from Russia in September 2023, saying its Russian operations were incompatible with its compliance strategy.
Legal experts said European privacy rules could apply if Belenkiy registered his Binance account as an EU resident, but Reuters could not confirm this.
