Binance Shared Client Data With Russian Authorities Despite Exit Claims, Documents Reveal

Binance handed Russian authorities details of a customer’s cryptocurrency donations to Ukrainian fundraising efforts, evidence that was later used to bring terrorism financing charges against a Russian IT specialist, according to law enforcement documents reviewed by Reuters. The disclosure raises questions about the exchange’s earlier claim to have fully exited Russia.

The Case Against Yuri Belenkiy

Russia’s Investigative Committee alleged that IT specialist Yuri Belenkiy, detained in September 2025, sent more than $700 to the Ukrainian military and a group known as the Azov Brigade, which Moscow classifies as a terrorist organization. Documents show Russian investigators requested Belenkiy’s transaction history from Binance, and the exchange responded with data confirming his identity, date of birth, address, phone number, passport details, and a copy of his Bulgarian residency permit. Belenkiy holds Russian citizenship and Bulgarian residency and is currently jailed in Russia awaiting trial.

Questions Over Legal Obligation

Binance said in 2023 it had fully exited the Russian market, meaning it was under no legal obligation to comply with the request. A crypto regulation lawyer noted the company may have actually been barred from sharing the data under European Union privacy law, particularly since Russia isn’t recognized as offering adequate data protection standards under EU rules. Binance disputes this characterization, stating it cooperates with lawful law enforcement requests globally and that decisions on how the information gets used rest with the relevant authorities.

Broader Pattern of Cooperation

The head of a legal aid group supporting people facing political prosecution in Russia said the disclosure contradicts the expectations of EU residents who believed Binance had cut ties with Russian authorities. Reuters had previously reported that Binance’s regional leadership met with Russian financial monitoring officials in 2021 to discuss identifying donors to opposition figure Alexei Navalny, though Binance denied being contacted about Navalny at the time. Russian investigators reportedly used an email address tied to Binance’s website specifically set up for law enforcement in Russia and Belarus to submit their request.

Neither the Kremlin, Russia’s Investigative Committee, nor Belenkiy’s lawyer responded to requests for comment.