US Seizes Crypto Funds Tied to Hamas, Disrupts Militant Group's Finances

The US Justice Department has announced a significant disruption in financing for Hamas, the militant group. The FBI seized over $560,000 in cryptocurrency donations intended for Hamas' military wing, known as the Qassam Brigades.

The department said that it had taken control of website domains and communication platforms used for fundraising and recruitment. It also obtained information about thousands of people who had contacted Hamas with a goal of giving money to the group.

Hamas began testing virtual currency fundraising in early 2019, soliciting donations on its Telegram channel and using direct online fundraising. Officials bragged that the currency would be untraceable, and their websites offered instructions for making anonymous donations.

The investigation was led by the FBI's cyber division, which identified a financing network soliciting donations to the Qassam Brigades via virtual currency. A confidential source in the US alerted law enforcement to a Telegram post asking for contributions to an email address associated with Hamas.