Binance Faces Criticism for Sharing User Data with Russian Authorities
Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has been criticized for sharing user data with Russian authorities. The exchange handed over information on Yuri Belenkiy, a 49-year-old IT specialist who made donations to Ukrainian military fundraisers.
The data, which included Belenkiy's date of birth, address, telephone number, passport number, and copies of his Russian passport and Bulgarian residency permit, was used as evidence in terrorism financing charges against him. The case has raised concerns about Binance's compliance with data protection laws and its claims to have exited Russia.
Russia's Investigative Committee alleged that Belenkiy sent over $700 in cryptocurrency between January 2023 and March 2024 to the Ukrainian military and an associated group, which Moscow designates as a terrorist organization. The payments were made in response to an online appeal by exiled Kremlin critic Arkady Babchenko.
Belenkiy was detained in September 2025 and is now awaiting trial in a Russian jail. Rights activists have told Reuters that several dozen people who made similar crypto donations have been prosecuted and convicted in Russia.