Binance Data Used in Russia Terrorism Case
Russian authorities have been using cryptocurrency donation data from Binance to prosecute individuals who supported Ukrainian fundraising campaigns.
According to law enforcement documents, Binance provided details of cryptocurrency donations in 2025, nearly three years after the exchange announced it had fully exited Russia.
The case involves IT specialist Yuri Belenkiy, a Russian citizen with Bulgarian residency, who was detained by authorities for sending over $700 to Ukraine's military and associated organization, Azov Regiment, which Moscow designates as a terrorist group.
Binance records were included in evidence against Belenkiy, sparking questions about the exchange's obligations towards Russian authorities after leaving the country. Mike Bystrov, founder of crypto-regulation law firm Stellar Consulting, argued that Binance had no obligation to provide the information and may have violated European Union privacy law.