Israel Seizes Terror-Linked Cryptocurrencies Worth Millions
The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, announced that the government had successfully confiscated millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrencies associated with Iran’s military arm, the Quds Force, and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The Israeli government reportedly identified wallet addresses linked to these organizations, which were allegedly being used to finance terrorist activities within Israel.
Israel seized millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrencies that were linked to Iran's Quds Force and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanonhttps://t.co/sDnFikFu7N
— crypto.news (@itscrypto_news) June 28, 2023
Landmark Crypto Seizure
This marks a major milestone in cryptocurrency-related seizures, made possible through the collective efforts of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, military intelligence, and local police. By cutting off the flow of funds through this illicit channel, the Israeli authorities have dealt a significant blow to the financial networks supporting acts of terrorism.
This recent seizure follows earlier actions taken by the Israeli government. In the past year alone, approximately 190 Binance accounts connected to terrorism and money laundering were captured. Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, reportedly assisted Israeli authorities in tracking down accounts and wallets associated with criminal activities.
Disrupting Terror Financing
To strengthen their ability to combat such crimes, the former Defense Minister of Israel, Benny Gantz, introduced a ruling in December 2022 that enables the government to seize all cryptocurrency assets linked to criminal activities, even if they are not directly connected to known terrorist groups. This expanded authority empowers Israeli authorities to take decisive action against any illicit use of cryptocurrencies within their jurisdiction.
The actions taken by the Israeli government demonstrate a proactive approach in tackling the misuse of cryptocurrencies for nefarious purposes. By targeting the financial infrastructure supporting terrorist organizations, Israel aims to disrupt their operations and safeguard its citizens. The successful seizure of these cryptocurrencies underscores the increasing importance of international cooperation and intelligence sharing in combating illicit activities in the digital realm. As cryptocurrencies continue to play a role in illegal transactions, governments and law enforcement agencies around the world are recognizing the need to adapt their strategies to address this evolving threat.
