Russia cracks down on 9 crypto exchanges in Moscow City

cointelegraphPublicado a 2026-08-07Actualizado a 2026-08-07

Resumen

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), in a joint operation with the Interior Ministry, has raided nine unregistered cryptocurrency exchange services in Moscow's International Business Center. Authorities detained over 20 employees on allegations of laundering money for Ukraine-based scam call centers. According to the FSB, the exchanges converted cash stolen from Russian victims of phone fraud into cryptocurrency, which was then transferred to Ukrainian handlers. Young couriers allegedly collected cash from victims and delivered it to the exchanges. A criminal case for large-scale fraud has been initiated, with the FSB continuing to identify victims and assess potential compensation.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has raided nine unregistered crypto exchange services in Moscow over alleged money laundering involving fraud proceeds that authorities linked to Ukraine-based scam call centers.

The agency said it detained more than 20 employees at the Moscow International Business Center (Moscow City) as part of an operation targeting channels allegedly used to move illicit funds abroad through crypto assets, according to an official statement on Friday.

The FSB said the exchanges converted money stolen from Russian victims of phone scams into cryptocurrency and transferred it to accounts belonging to what it described as Ukrainian handlers.

The operation was carried out jointly by the FSB and Russia’s Interior Ministry. Authorities said some couriers aged 18 to 25 collected cash from victims and delivered it to the exchanges for conversion into crypto. The FSB said young people from Russian regions were recruited to work at the exchanges despite having limited financial literacy.

The Interior Ministry launched a criminal investigation into large-scale fraud, an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison under Russian law. The FSB said it is continuing to identify victims and assess potential compensation.

Related: Russian president signs crypto law, core rules take effect in 2026

Preguntas relacionadas

QWhat action did Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) take against crypto exchanges in Moscow?

AThe FSB raided nine unregistered crypto exchange services in Moscow and detained more than 20 employees at the Moscow International Business Center.

QWhat criminal activity were these crypto exchanges allegedly involved in, according to the FSB?

AThe FSB alleges the exchanges were involved in money laundering, converting money stolen from Russian victims of phone scams into cryptocurrency and transferring it to Ukrainian handlers.

QHow did the operation involve young people, according to the authorities?

AAccording to authorities, couriers aged 18 to 25 collected cash from victims and delivered it to the exchanges for conversion into crypto, and young people with limited financial literacy were recruited to work at the exchanges.

QWhat criminal investigation has been launched following the operation?

ARussia's Interior Ministry has launched a criminal investigation into large-scale fraud, an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison under Russian law.

QWhat is the FSB continuing to do in relation to this case?

AThe FSB said it is continuing to identify victims and assess potential compensation.

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