The European Union sanctioned individuals tied to using digital assets to evade sanctions and fund pro-Russian disinformation campaigns. Nine individuals and six entities, including Kremlin-linked influencer Simeon Boikov, were targeted. Boikov raised donations through various channels, accepting cash and cryptocurrencies. TRM Labs found he engaged with high-risk Russian exchanges and received funds from darknet markets. A7 OOO was also sanctioned for election manipulation in Moldova, with ties to the ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5. The project emerged as a primary transaction tool on the Grinex crypto exchange. A7 was initially intended to facilitate cross-border trade following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU’s decision signifies a broader strategic shift towards disrupting the full lifecycle of influence operations.

Read more at Cointelegraph: EU Sanctions Crypto Network With Russian Ties