According to ChainCatcher and Decrypt, a joint investigation by Reuters with blockchain analysis companies Global Ledger and Recoveris revealed that Russian intelligence agencies have been using Bitcoin to pay untrained teenage spies. A Reuters report detailed the recent case of Canadian citizen Laken Pavan, who was sentenced to 20 months in prison in Poland in December after admitting to assisting Russian intelligence agencies. Recoveris stated that the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Military Intelligence Agency (GRU) have repeatedly funded young people in Poland to perform tasks such as surveillance, graffiti, and arson through cryptocurrency, with some funds used to hire mercenaries in the Donbas region and bribe European politicians.
"The advantage of using Bitcoin or cryptocurrency to pay agents or assets is that any amount of cryptocurrency (even millions of dollars) can be transferred instantly worldwide without government barriers, except for cryptocurrency-to-fiat currency gateways." Additionally, Russian intelligence agencies can fully utilize the transparency provided by cryptocurrencies. "Personnel and senior intelligence officers can monitor cryptocurrency flows." "Any expenses of agents can be audited to ensure they are used for operational purposes." Given the ongoing sanctions restrictions, such crypto payments are expected to continue, and the transparency allows Russian authorities to monitor the use of funds.
