Summary: The U.S. has charged Garantex crypto-exchange administrators with money laundering and violating sanctions, accusing them of laundering over billion since 2019 for criminal organizations. U.S. authorities have seized Garantex’s domains, servers, and frozen substantial funds linked to these illicit activities. The exchange has temporarily suspended operations following measures by Tether to block its digital wallets due to EU sanctions.

Affected: Garantex crypto-exchange

Keypoints :

• Aleksej Besciokov and Aleksandr Mira Serda face severe charges, including conspiracy to launder money and operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business.
• Over million in funds associated with money laundering have been frozen, and Garantex’s domains and servers were seized in a joint U.S., German, and Finnish operation.
• The exchange has been implicated in facilitating various crimes, including hacking and drug trafficking, and has previously lost its license due to compliance issues.