$560K in Crypto Seized from Hamas Amid Ongoing Investigation
The US Department of Justice has seized over $560,000 in cryptocurrency donations intended for Hamas. The funds were seized as part of an investigation that also disrupted the group's fundraising and recruitment communications by taking control of key infrastructure.
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, authorities intercepted the names and identities of thousands of people who tried to send money to Hamas through its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigade.
Pirro said that investigators disrupted Hamas' ability to wage war by seizing their servers and domains, which allowed them to directly intercept funds intended for the group's military activities.
The investigation also found that Hamas began testing virtual currency fundraising in 2019, soliciting donations on its Telegram channel before shifting to its official websites. The group boasted that Bitcoin donations were untraceable and would be used for violent causes.