Binance provided Russian law enforcement with the identity documents and transaction history of a client in 2025, according to documents cited by Reuters. Prosecutors used these records to bring terrorism financing charges against the individual after authorities alleged he had made crypto donations to Ukrainian fundraising campaigns.
Allegations against Binance user
Russia’s Investigative Committee stated on October 13, 2025, that it had detained Yuri Belenkiy, a 49-year-old IT specialist, in September of the same year. Authorities accused Belenkiy of sending over $700 between January 2023 and March 2024 to the Ukrainian military and a group known alternately as the Azov Brigade and the Azov Regiment. Moscow classifies these organizations as terrorist entities.
Investigators obtained Belenkiy’s transaction records after submitting requests to a contact address listed on Binance’s official platform for Russian and Belarusian law enforcement agencies. Binance replied twice, providing a data file that included Belenkiy’s date of birth, address, phone number, passport details, as well as copies of his Russian passport and Bulgarian residency permit.
Belenkiy remains incarcerated in Russia, awaiting trial on charges of financing terrorism by facilitating cryptocurrency transfers to these Ukrainian entities.
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AAPLMini dictionary: Azov Regiment, a Ukrainian National Guard unit that Moscow labels a terrorist organization due to its military activities during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The regiment has been controversial because of its origins and has been the subject of international attention.
Binance’s response
Binance, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, had previously announced in 2023 that it had completed its exit from Russia. However, the recent disclosure shows the company continued to respond to Russian authorities’ inquiries after that date.
Chief Executive Officer Richard Teng publicly addressed the issue in a social media thread on Monday, challenging “misreadings” of Binance’s cooperation with law enforcement in Russia and elsewhere. Teng emphasized that complying with legitimate requests from authorities is an obligation for all regulated financial institutions, regardless of whether the firm maintains a commercial or physical presence in that country.
Operating globally requires engaging with authorities in every jurisdiction, even in countries where we have no commercial operations. Binance does not operate in the United States, yet responds to requests from U.S. law enforcement. Responding to a lawful request is a responsibility, and should not be taken as showing bias toward any particular government.
Teng insisted that Binance’s response to Russian authorities followed the same principles the firm applies worldwide, prioritizing adherence to law enforcement inquiries over any geopolitical considerations.
Company practices with law enforcement
Binance maintains official guidelines for responding to law enforcement requests and has designated communication channels for authorities in multiple countries. The address used by Russian investigators is publicly listed for law enforcement contacts in Russia and Belarus. While Binance does not directly operate in these jurisdictions, the firm processes lawful data requests, aligning with international compliance standards.
This approach is not unique to Russian cases; Binance reportedly follows a similar protocol when engaging with U.S. and other international law enforcement agencies, regardless of its presence in those markets.
| Jurisdiction | Binance commercial presence | Response to law enforcement |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | No (after 2023) | Yes |
| United States | No | Yes |
| Other countries | Varies | Yes (when lawful request is made) |
Binance’s cooperation with Russian authorities highlights the complexities faced by global digital asset platforms operating across conflicting jurisdictions. As of now, Belenkiy’s case remains pending in the Russian legal system.
