US authorities seized $200 000 USDT from Hamas terrorists: operation details

The financial war continues not only on the stock exchanges. At the end of March 2025, the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a joint operation aimed at countering the financing of Hamas terrorist groups. GetBlock AML Research publishes details of the hotshot operation.

In April 2023, Hamas officials claimed they would stop using cryptocurrency to collect donations. However, intelligence gathered indicates that the group continues to collect donations using digital assets to this day. One such action has come to the attention of US authorities. The FBI’s Albuquerque Division initiated an investigation that uncovered a network of addresses that collected cryptocurrency to fund Hamas terrorist activities.

The result of the operation

The investigation uncovered an operational address that was used to collect cryptocurrency and 17 other wallets designed to launder and store assets. Hamas representatives published appeals on social media to send donations without specifying cryptocurrency addresses. To receive them, it was necessary to contact terrorists by e-mail.

According to operatives’ estimates, the terrorists managed to collect and launder more than $1,5 million through 18 addresses. The US Department of Justice ordered Tether to block the addresses and transfer the USDT stored at them to government property. A total of 201 400 USDT was seized by law enforcement officials.

The operation also uncovered three accounts on the Binance exchange that were used by Hamas to launder cryptocurrency. US authorities ordered the exchange to block the accounts and transfer the funds stored on them to government ownership. The investigation also revealed the terrorists’ use of Turkish crypto exchange BTCTurk and other trading platforms. Accounts on the exchanges underwent verification (KYC) procedures with the help of Palestinians living in Turkey and other countries.

The connection of one of Hamas’ addresses to the Binance and BTCTurk exchanges

Note

Hamas is a Palestinian religious-political movement and political party that operates in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. It was established in December 1987. Since June 2007, Hamas has controlled power in the Gaza Strip and is at war with Israel. The organization is recognized as a terrorist organization in Israel, the United States, and a number of other countries of the world.