Binance Discloses User Info in Terrorism Financing Case

The case of Yuri Belenkiy, an IT specialist from Russia, has sparked concerns about the handling of user data by cryptocurrency exchanges. According to a report by Reuters, Binance, one of the largest exchanges in the world, handed over Belenkiy's personal information to Russian authorities after he made a donation of around $700 to Ukraine.

The exchange provided investigators with Belenkiy's date of birth, home address, phone number, and passport number, as well as scans of his Russian passport and Bulgarian residency permit. This information was used by the authorities to build a terrorism financing case against Belenkiy, who has been in jail since September 2025.

Binance's handling of this situation raises questions about its compliance with data protection rules, particularly given that Belenkiy held a Bulgarian residency permit. The exchange's own website had directed Russian and Belarusian law enforcement agencies to use the email address case@binanceholdings.ru to obtain user information, which suggests that Binance was aware of the potential risks.

The incident has implications for users of centralized exchanges, who may not be aware that their personal data can be shared with authorities without their consent. It also highlights the importance of considering the security and privacy implications of using these platforms.