The US Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has arrested Anatoly Legkodymov, founder of a Russian crypto over-the-counter trading platform Bitzlato, for processing over $700 million worth of crypto from a darknet marketplace Hydra Market and ransomware gangs.
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According to a press release, Bitzlato facilitated illicit transactions for ransomware actors from Russia, including Conti and darknet markets such as BlackSprut, OMG!OMG!, and Mega. FinCEN Acting Director, Himamauli Das, said:
"Bitzlato poses a global threat by allowing Russian cybercriminals and ransomware actors to launder the proceeds of their theft."
The regulator believes that Bitzlato failed to implement effective AML policies on purpose. According to the DOJ, Legkodymov has been arrested in Miami and is scheduled to be arraigned in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
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