Justice Department Disrupts Hamas Fundraising via Cryptocurrency Seizures

The U.S. Justice Department announced the seizure of approximately $560,000 in cryptocurrency and the disruption of Hamas's online fundraising and recruitment platforms. These actions are part of ongoing efforts to counter Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, which used digital assets and online platforms to solicit funds globally and support its military wing, the Al Qassam Brigades.

The seizures followed investigations that traced cryptocurrency donations through encrypted communications and seized related domains and servers, including Hamas's main website, AlQassam.ps. The operation involved multiple court-ordered warrants and cooperation with human sources to identify and intercept donations.

Officials emphasized that these measures aim to weaken Hamas's capacity to raise funds and recruit supporters online. The FBI and other agencies continue to monitor and disrupt terrorist financing networks, utilizing legal and technological tools to prevent illicit fund flows.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, with support from the FBI's Counterterrorism and Cyber Divisions. The investigation underscores the ongoing focus on digital assets as a vector for terrorist financing and the importance of regulatory and security measures in the crypto space.