Russia

Russian police shut down a large illegal crypto mining farm in St. Petersburg that stole electricity and caused over 10 million rubles in damage. At the same time, authorities warned the public about rising crypto scams where fake traders trick people into handing over their money and account access.

A Russian influencer known as “Bitmama” was sentenced to seven years in prison for scamming investors out of $23 million in a fake Bitcoin investment scheme. She promised to convert cash into crypto abroad but instead kept the money, and tried to flee before being arrested at the border.

A7A5, a Russian ruble-backed stablecoin launched in Kyrgyzstan might be Russia's new found attempt to build at alternative payment system outside of the western financial rails.

Russia’s Power Systems and Finam have launched the country’s first Bitcoin mining investment fund, using gas-powered rigs and requiring a minimum investment of 5 million rubles. The closed-end fund will mine Bitcoin and share profits with qualified investors, but returns depend on Bitcoin staying above $35,000.

NY Attorney General Letitia James cracked down on a crypto fraud ring that stole millions in Brooklyn, freezing $300,000 in assets and seizing $140,000 in crypto from a Vietnam-based group targeting Russian speakers with fake ads.

The Middle East is witnessing a dangerous escalation as Israeli airstrikes target sensitive Iranian sites. However, a notable absence has emerged amid the turmoil: the strategic silence of the BRICS nations.

The barbed-wire-secured site was packed with mining rigs and heavy power equipment. Prosecutors said it was leased to a third party under the false pretense of renting space in a non-existent building—an elaborate cover for illegal crypto mining.

Russian authorities in the Republic of Buryatia were stopped in their tracks during their patrol when they stumbled upon a peculiar truck in the middle of the truck.

Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department has partnered with the University of Hong Kong to develop a crypto tracking tool amidst rising money laundering cases involving digital assets, aiming to strengthen detection and investigation of illicit transactions.

A former Russian energy executive used stolen electricity to mine Bitcoin at home, causing losses to the power grid. Police seized his crypto and uncovered further corruption linked to his role in the energy sector.