$740 USDT: How transferring stablecoins to an IT director could lead to terrorism financing charges
A new trend is emerging in Russian law enforcement practice that directly affects participants in the cryptocurrency market. This time, the focus is on Yuri Belenky, IT director of DiHouse. He has been formally charged under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (aiding terrorist activities). The reason was several transfers of USDT stablecoins totaling just over $740.
The investigation claims that Belenky made at least seven transactions from his electronic address between January 2023 and March 2024. The total amount of transfers, equivalent to approximately 62,000 rubles, was allegedly intended to finance the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a terrorist organization banned in Russia. According to the prosecution, the recipient of the funds is journalist Arkady Babchenko. Both individuals have been added to the register of terrorists and extremists, and Babchenko has also been recognized as a foreign agent.
Unprecedented Precedent for the Crypto Industry
Belenky himself categorically denies his guilt. His defense calls this case unique for the capital region. Lawyers emphasize that for the first time in the Moscow region, virtual assets have become the key evidence in a case of financing terrorism. This creates an important precedent that could significantly change approaches to investigating such crimes in the future.
The criminal case was initiated on October 10, 2025, against the 40-year-old Muscovite. The case materials, which consist of two volumes, include exclusively positive references from the defendant's workplace. Recently, the Moscow City Court considered an appeal by the defense, which insisted on transferring the IT director to house arrest, accusing the investigation of unjustified delays. However, the court ruled that the extension of his detention until July 10 was lawful.
Analyst's opinion: This case is a vivid illustration of how insignificant amounts by cryptocurrency market standards can lead to serious legal consequences. Regulators worldwide are tightening control over the movement of digital assets, and Russia is no exception. For industry participants, this is a signal of the need for an extremely cautious approach to choosing counterparties and an awareness that every transaction on the blockchain can be subject to legal scrutiny.