Binance Data Used Against Russian Citizen Charged with Terrorism Financing
A politically sensitive case in Russia involves cryptocurrency exchange Binance and its handling of user data. In 2025, Russian law enforcement sent a request to Binance for transaction history on Yuri Belenkiy, an IT specialist who was charged with financing terrorism.
The information was used as evidence against Belenkiy, who had transferred over $700 to support the Ukrainian military and affiliated organizations. Arkady Babchenko, a Kremlin critic in exile, had published online appeals for donations using cryptocurrency wallet addresses.
Binance had previously ceased operations in Russia in September 2023, citing compatibility issues with regulatory requirements. However, documents show that a channel of communication between the exchange and Russian law enforcement remained in place after its exit.
Cryptocurrency regulation lawyer Mike Bystrov believes that Binance may have violated European data protection rules by providing personal information without a court order. The case raises questions about the exchange's handling of user data and potential compliance with regulatory requirements.