The FBI seized over $560,000 in cryptocurrency intended to fund Hamas, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. The operation disrupted a years-long fundraising network supporting Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades. Authorities also took control of related website domains and communication platforms used for recruitment and fundraising, obtaining information on thousands of individuals who contacted Hamas to donate, according to fortune.com.
The investigation began after the FBI identified Hamas’ use of virtual currency for fundraising around early 2019. Hamas solicited donations via its Telegram channel and direct online appeals, claiming the cryptocurrency donations would be untraceable. A key breakthrough came last year when a confidential U.S.-based source alerted law enforcement to a Telegram post seeking cryptocurrency donations for the Qassam Brigades. The FBI then tracked and seized the funds while taking down the associated digital infrastructure, as detailed in FBI affidavits cited by fortune.com.
This seizure highlights the growing use of cryptocurrencies by militant groups to bypass traditional financial controls. Hamas’ reliance on virtual currency since 2019 reflects a broader trend of illicit actors exploiting digital assets for fundraising. The FBI’s action follows increased global scrutiny of crypto channels used for terrorism financing, aligning with efforts to curb anonymous online donations that fund armed conflicts. The disruption of Hamas’ crypto network marks a significant enforcement step in counterterrorism financing, according to fortune.com.
Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, emphasized the operation’s impact, stating that Hamas’ crypto networks are vulnerable and that the Justice Department will continue efforts to defeat their ability to wage war. The FBI’s seizure and domain takedowns represent a major blow to Hamas’ fundraising capabilities, with ongoing investigations into the thousands of contacts identified during the operation, as reported by fortune.com.