Cryptocurrency in the Mueller Probe



According to a filing in US District Court, Russian Military Intelligence operatives used Bitcoin to help finance the cyberattack on the US democracy that began during the 2016 Presidential Election campaign.




PBS: Read Mueller’s full indictment against 12 Russian officers for election interference


The Russian espionage made hundreds of transactions using Bitcoin and purchased the means to disseminate disinformation over the Internet. One of the inhibiting factors in the growth of cryptocurrency has been the danger of anonymous transactions. While most cryptocurrency exchanges have thorough ID and vetting procedures, some require little or no identification. 

Considering the large sums of money and value transmitted daily in cryptocurrency, the lack of ID procedures opens opportunities for criminal activity terrorism, cyberattacks, and money laundering.
In the spring 2018, many customers on peer-to-peer sites like LocalBitcoin experienced account disruption. Their trading privileges were suspended by the peer to peer exchanges until they provided substantial identification. Suddenly the freedom of private transactions seemed lost. Many wondered why the peer-to-peer sites suddenly changed when they had resisted the know-your-customer policies by providing a platform for  no-ID trades in cryptocurrency.

The Mueller probe’s  indictment  of GRU officials for interference in the 2016 election contained details of use of Bitcoin to accomplish significant steps in the criminal conspiracy. The trend towards requiring identification for all cryptocurrency transactions now has an additional impetus. The cyberattack on the US democracy used cryptocurrency to pay for services. They conspiracy included buying cryptocurrency and making it by blockchain mining.

-          Cryptocurrency has vast potential
Cryptocurrency has emerged as a leading source of funds for projects and start-ups. The blockchain technology and some use of smart contracts on the Ethereum platform have revolutionized crowdfunding. As more mainstream investors and hedge funds look to cryptocurrency for profitable investment, the governments around the globe have made stronger demands for compliance with Know your customer and thorough Identification.

-          A Need to Know Your Customer and Compliance with AML
The Russia attack on the US election could have gone forward without cryptocurrency, but the anonymous transfers added an additional layer of secrecy. During the Special Counsel investigation, reports surfaced concerning the low level of spending that the Russian attack used to accomplish their goals. The low level of funds- estimated at about $1.5 million seemed inadequate to support an expansive program. The July Indictment demonstrates that there were other and largely untraceable sources of funds for the cyberattack and unregistered contributions of campaign funds.

Sources:
The Special Counsel Indictment filed July 2018
https://www.justice.gov/file/1080281/download



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