Binance Hands Over User Data to Russian Investigators Amid Ukraine Tensions

Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, provided Russian investigators with identity documents and transaction records for a Russian IT specialist named Yuri Belenkiy. The information was used in a terrorism financing case against Belenkiy, who is accused of sending over $700 in cryptocurrency to organizations connected with Ukraine's military.

The records included Belenkiy's address, telephone number, date of birth, passport, and Bulgarian residency permit. Russian authorities incorporated details of his Binance transactions into evidence supporting the criminal charge.

Belenkiy remains detained in Russia while awaiting trial. His lawyer has not publicly addressed Binance's reported involvement in the case.