Shadow Crypto Exchanges Recover Quickly Despite Raids
Raids on shadow crypto exchanges in Russia have caused significant disruptions to fraudulent operations, but experts warn that the market will not disappear. Alexander Brazhnikov, director of the Russian Association of Crypto Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, believes that law enforcement can break up individual chains, but without a legal exchange infrastructure, demand for gray services quickly returns.
The main reason for the emergence of shadow exchanges is the lack of clear and legal ways to convert cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is convenient in such schemes because it can be quickly moved through different channels. Modern fraud often involves online exchanges, droppers, dead drops, cryptomats, and other indirect routes, making technical control tools alone insufficient to solve the problem.
Brazhnikov points out that organizers of these schemes usually remain out of reach, while performers are more likely to be targeted by law enforcement. This can create the appearance of active fighting against crime, but does not completely stop the business.