The crypto exchange Binance provided Russian investigative bodies with detailed transaction data and personal information of a user who transferred funds to support the ZSU. As a result, a criminal case was opened against IT specialist Yurii Belenkyi on charges of "financing terrorism" and "high treason." This was reported by Pervыi Otdel, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
In October 2025, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation sent a request to the Binance exchange regarding transfers to a crypto wallet associated with journalist Arkady Babchenko. Upon receiving a detailed statement, Russian intelligence services identified Yurii Belenkyi as the donor and initiated separate proceedings against him.
The data provided by the company included passport details, document scans, transaction history, device geodata, and unique browser identifiers. The IT specialist had previously undergone a verification procedure on the platform by providing a residence permit in Bulgaria, which allowed the exchange to identify him as a European client despite previous sanctions restrictions for Russian citizens.
Risks for users of centralized services
Based on the information obtained from the exchange, law enforcement officers added episodes regarding the financing of the “Sprava Hromad” organization and transactions to the Ukrainian exchange Kuna to the case file. Russian law enforcement agencies use blockchain analytics and their own developments like “Transparent Blockchain” as tools, matching public data with transaction histories on exchanges.
Belenkyi’s legal representative attempted to confirm the authenticity of the file provided by the exchange, but Binance’s support service refused direct comment, advising them to contact the authority that received the data. The company’s official position is that law enforcement requests are processed in accordance with internal privacy policies, which allow for the disclosure of information if there are legal grounds.
Compliance with international data protection standards
The crypto exchange’s actions have sparked discussions regarding GDPR compliance, as the transfer of data to Russian intelligence services occurred without the use of international mutual legal assistance mechanisms. According to European Union regulations, requests from foreign law enforcement agencies are not an automatic basis for disclosing personal information about users.
Experts emphasize that even for clients from EU countries, using centralized platforms creates a threat of de-anonymization. Transaction history linked to a verified account allows the owner to be connected to any wallet, making the use of such services dangerous for those who make transfers to support Ukraine.
Illustrative photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States / CC BY 2.0
