U.S. cracks down on Hamas-linked crypto network, seizes over $200K
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the seizure of close to $201,400 worth of cryptocurrency tied to a network that has been allegedly used for fundraising for Hamas and laundering funds connected to the Islamist group, representing a major disruption of a years-long terrorist financing effort.
As per court documents, the funds were traced to wallets and accounts actively fundraising for the Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Hamas). The government said that the confiscated funds were part of a larger scheme that washed more than $1.5 million in digital currency since October 2024.
U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., National Security Division head Sue J. Bai, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the Albuquerque Field Office announced the action. Investigators say supporters of Hamas were guided via encrypted group chats to give to at least 17 rotating cryptocurrency addresses.
The addresses funneled money into one central wallet, where the assets were laundered using a series of exchanges, suspected financiers, and over-the-counter brokers.
'Hamas is responsible for the deaths of many U.S. and Israeli nationals, and we will use every legal tool at our disposal to stop their campaign of terror and murder,' said U.S. Attorney Martin.
Special Agent Bujanda and the FBI emphasized that this was part of a strategic disruption, saying, 'This success demonstrates that financial warfare is a critical component in fighting terrorism.'
The seized addresses totaled about $89,900, and 3 other crypto accounts totaled $111,500. These corresponded to Palestinians living in Turkey and other parts of the globe.
Attorneys from the DOJ's National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office and its Counterterrorism and Cyber Divisions.
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