Binance gave Russian authorities client data used in terrorism financing case: Report

Reuters reported that Binance provided transaction records and personal information to Russian authorities which were later used in a terrorism-financing case against Yuri Belenkiy. The cryptocurrency exchange reportedly handed over customer data related to an individual accused of contributing to terrorism through crypto donations to Ukrainian military fundraising efforts.

Russian investigators utilized the information supplied by Binance as evidence against Belenkiy, who was arrested in September 2025 and is currently awaiting trial in Russia. According to law enforcement documents provided to Reuters, Russia’s Investigative Committee claimed that Belenkiy transferred over $700 worth of cryptocurrency between January 2023 and March 2024 to the Ukrainian military and a banned group that Reuters identified as the Azov Brigade or Azov Regiment, depending on the source.

Binance’s review of the case revealed that Russian authorities requested the customer's transaction history, which included his date of birth, address, phone number, and passport number. The authorities also received copies of Belenkiy's Russian passport and Bulgarian residency permit. Binance announced its full withdrawal from Russia in September 2023, transferring its local business to CommEX.

A Binance spokesperson stated that the company does not determine charges or influence how any government uses information in legal proceedings. They emphasized that Binance only complies with lawful information requests from law enforcement agencies globally, subject to legal, privacy, and regulatory requirements.