DOJ Charges Crypto Founder Over Russia Sanction Violations

Federal prosecutors charged Iurii Gugnin for laundering $500M, facilitating sanctioned Russian banks and Rosatom using crypto.
What’s the Scoop?
- Sanctions Evasion: Iurii Gugnin, founder of Evita Pay, allegedly facilitated transactions with sanctioned Russian entities, including Rosatom and major Russian banks like Sberbank and VTB.
- Money Laundering Tactics: Gugnin is accused of laundering over $500M through U.S. banks, using crypto and mixers to obscure origins and avoid detection.
- Severe Legal Consequences: Gugnin faces up to 30 years per bank fraud conviction among 22 counts, underlining the U.S. government’s hardline stance on sanction violations.