Biden Administration Sanctions Crypto Exchange Chatex Over Ransomware Allegations

The Treasury Department said the exchange provided “material support” to Suex, a previously sanctioned exchange.

AccessTimeIconNov 9, 2021 at 4:01 a.m. UTC
Updated May 11, 2023 at 4:28 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned crypto exchange Chatex for its alleged involvement in ransomware operations, the federal agency said in a Monday press release.

  • It is the second time that the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned a crypto exchange. Chatex “has facilitated transactions for multiple ransomware variants” and has provided “material support” to crypto over-the-counter exchange Suex, which is also associated with ransomware, the press release said.
  • In September, Suex was sanctioned by the Treasury Department for ransomware activities.
  • The Biden administration has launched a crackdown on ransomware and is trying to convince other governments to follow its lead. Crypto intelligence firm Chainalysis estimates that North American crypto addresses sent $131 million to ransomware-linked addresses between July 2020 and June 2021, more than double what Western Europe, the second hardest-hit region, sent.
  • The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) added Chatex to its “Specially Designated Nationals” list. Another three entities associated with Chatex were also added to the blacklist, including Izibits OU, Chatextech SIA and Hightrade Finance Ltd.
  • The list covers individuals working for governments involved in terrorism or drug trafficking, according to the Treasury Department. Being on the list means the individuals’ assets are blocked and U.S. citizens are barred from doing business with them.
  • Suex and Chatex share a co-founder, Egor Petukhovsky, and at one point, a holding company, Estonia-based Izibits OU, according to TRM Labs.
  • A separate Treasury Department announcement mentioned about 30 sanctioned crypto wallet addresses associated with Chatex.
  • Chatex operates a crypto exchange and wallet through a Telegram messaging bot.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

Eliza Gkritsi

Eliza Gkritsi is a CoinDesk contributor focused on the intersection of crypto and AI.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.