Binance Gave User Data to Russia

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance provided Russian authorities with transaction and personal data that was later used as evidence in a terrorism-financing case against Russian IT specialist Yuri Belenky, according to documents obtained by Reuters.

Russian investigators accuse Belenky of sending more than $700 to the Ukrainian military and the Azov group, which Russia designates as a terrorist organization. In response to a request from investigators, Binance provided information about his transactions as well as personal data including his address, telephone number and passport details, along with copies of his Russian passport and Bulgarian residence permit.

Belenky, 49, remains in custody awaiting trial.

The case has also raised questions about Binance’s continued cooperation with Russian authorities after the cryptocurrency exchange announced its complete withdrawal from the country in 2023.

Lawyer Mike Bystrov told Reuters that if Belenky was registered with Binance as a resident of the European Union, the handling of his information could have been subject to EU data protection rules. Reuters was unable to establish how Belenky was registered with the exchange.

Binance said it complies with applicable legal, regulatory, and data-protection requirements when responding to requests from law enforcement agencies.

(Reuters, bak)