Binance shared Russian user data used in terrorism financing case.

The cryptocurrency exchange Binance provided Russian law enforcement with detailed user data that was subsequently used as evidence in a terrorism financing case against a Russian IT specialist, according to law enforcement documents reviewed by Reuters. The case, which involves donations to Ukrainian military fundraising efforts, has raised significant questions about data privacy, compliance with European regulations, and the obligations of global crypto platforms after they exit a market.

The documents indicate that Russian authorities requested and received from Binance the transaction history and personal identification details of Yuri Belenkiy, a 49-year-old Russian IT specialist with Bulgarian residency. Belenkiy was detained in September 2025 and remains in custody awaiting trial. Russian investigators allege that between January 2023 and March 2024, he transferred more than $700 in cryptocurrency to entities associated with the Ukrainian military, including a group Moscow designates as a terrorist organization. The funds were allegedly sent in response to online appeals by exiled Kremlin critic Arkady Babchenko, who had listed cryptocurrency wallets to solicit...