Crypto Mixers Stir Trouble: Trio Charged in Money Laundering Debacle
Three alleged operators of cryptocurrency mixers have been charged with money laundering offenses. The Russian trio was linked to Blender.io and Sinbad.io, both of which were used by hackers to launder stolen crypto. Blender is believed to have helped launder $475 million from North Korea’s attack on Axie Infinity.
Hot Take:
When it comes to laundering money, these three amigos thought they were Picasso with a paintbrush, but it turns out they were more like toddlers with finger paint. The lesson here: if you’re going to mix crypto, maybe don’t leave a trail of breadcrumbs the size of a baguette.
Key Points:
- Three Russians indicted for operating illegal cryptocurrency mixers, Blender.io and Sinbad.io.
- Platforms used by ransomware actors and North Korean hackers for laundering stolen crypto.
- Sinbad.io emerged as a successor to Blender.io after the latter’s shutdown in 2022.
- The mixers allegedly helped launder nearly half a billion dollars from North Korean cyber attacks.
- One defendant, Anton Tarasov, remains at large while his partners were arrested.
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