LIVE
Tron Network Emerges as a Preferred Choice for Terrorist Financing Amidst Ongoing Conflict. ☠️🕵🏼♀️
In the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the recent surge in attacks, a new and concerning trend has come to light. Terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah, are increasingly utilizing the Tron network for crypto transfers, according to a Reuters report and insights from financial crime experts.
Tron Surpasses Bitcoin:
Tron has surpassed Bitcoin as the platform of choice for crypto transfers linked to designated terrorist organizations by Israel, the United States, and other countries.
Crypto Seizures in Israel:
The Israeli National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF) froze 143 Tron wallets suspected of links to terrorist organizations between July 2021 and October 2023, marking a shift from targeting Bitcoin wallets.
Favoring Tron for Speed and Stability:
Terrorist groups are drawn to Tron due to its faster transaction speed, lower fees, and enhanced stability compared to Bitcoin, as stated by Mriganka Pattnaik, CEO of Merkle Science.
NBCTF Actions:
Israel seized 87 blockchain coin wallets this year, with 56 Tron wallets linked to Hamas and 26 to Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Hamas and Crypto:
While Hamas discontinued Bitcoin fundraising, it made no mention of Tron. Tron has become a preferred choice for terrorist financing, with connections reaching back to at least 2019.
Iran's Previous Use:
Prior to this, Iran reportedly used Tron to bypass US sanctions, facilitating $8 billion in transactions between 2018 and 2022.
Response from Tron:
Tron's rep, Hayward Wong, notes any tech can be used for "questionable activities," likening it to USD in money laundering. Tron denies influence over users and disassociation from entities mentioned by Israel.
Comparison with Bitcoin:
In contrast to Tron, Bitcoin seizures in Israel have been rare, with only 30 Bitcoin wallets frozen in 2021, according to NBCTF announcements.
LIVE