US seizes over $560,000 in crypto donations meant for Hamas
US authorities seized $560,000 in cryptocurrency intended for Hamas, disrupted its online fundraising infrastructure, and identified thousands of potential donors.
The US Justice Department announced Tuesday that the FBI has seized more than $560,000 in cryptocurrency donations intended for Hamas, in a coordinated operation to disrupt the militant group's financing networks.
Beyond the cryptocurrency seizure, federal authorities said they have taken control of website domains and communication platforms used by Hamas for fundraising and recruitment. Investigators also obtained information about thousands of individuals who had contacted the group with the intention of making donations.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro issued a direct warning to the group, stating that its networks are not secure and its crypto holdings are vulnerable, vowing to continue operations until Hamas's ability to wage war is defeated.
Court filings reveal that Hamas began experimenting with virtual currency fundraising as early as 2019 through its military wing, the Qassam Brigades. The group solicited donations via its Telegram channel and direct online fundraising campaigns, with officials boasting that cryptocurrency transactions would be untraceable. Their websites even provided instructions for making anonymous contributions.
A breakthrough in the investigation came last year when FBI agents identified a financing network soliciting donations to the Qassam Brigades through virtual currency. A confidential source in the United States alerted authorities to a Telegram post requesting contributions to an email address linked to Hamas.
FBI Assistant Director Brett Leatherman, who heads the bureau's cyber division, said investigators would continue using their authorities to intercept illicit funds and prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting digital networks to finance their operations.