Three Russian nationals are facing federal charges in the US for allegedly running cryptocurrency “mixing” services used to launder illicit funds.
Busting the Crypto Cleaners
Roman Ostapenko, Alexander Oleynik, and Anton Tarasov are accused of operating Blender.io and Sinbad.io, platforms that helped criminals hide the origins of their cryptocurrency. These services mix user funds together, making it difficult to trace where the money came from.
Both Blender.io and Sinbad.io were sanctioned by the US government’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) after they were linked to North Korean government entities using them to launder stolen cryptocurrency. Blender.io was shut down in May 2022, but Sinbad.io popped up shortly after, offering similar services until its takedown in November 2023.
The Charges
According to the Department of Justice, the accused made it easier for hackers and cybercriminals to profit from their crimes, threatening both public safety and national security. The indictment alleges the mixers were used to launder money from ransomware attacks and wire fraud.
Ostapenko and Oleynik were arrested in December 2024. Ostapenko faces one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Oleynik and Tarasov (who remains at large) each face one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
The Takeaway
This indictment highlights the ongoing efforts to combat the use of cryptocurrency in illegal activities. The US government is clearly cracking down on those who provide services that facilitate money laundering and cybercrime.
