BTC
ETH
SOL
XRP
BNB
TON
DOT
LTC
POL
HBAR
NEAR
ARB
UNIFive indicted in France over alleged $2m crypto funding of Hamas
French and US authorities have broken up a network of non-profit groups accused of diverting more than $2m in donations, partly in crypto, to Hamas' military wing.
Why it matters: The case shows how regulators and prosecutors are treating crypto crowdfunding and charity appeals as channels for terrorist financing, with sanctions and criminal charges following the money across borders.
Key points
- Five people were placed under formal investigation in Paris for organised terrorist financing, money laundering and breach of trust.
- US authorities allege the network raised over $2m between 2020 and 2026, including $1.5m after 7 October 2023.
- OFAC sanctioned Association Baraka, Ensemble C Mieux and Gaza-based Hamas commander Saleem Abdallah Saleem al-Zaq.
Arrests took place in Saint-Étienne and Saint-André-de-Cubzac alongside related US enforcement action. According to a Le Parisien report cited by the outlet, police arrested Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika in an operation coordinated with the US Department of Justice.
French judicial estimates put the sum sent through local channels at about $1.1m.
Donations were first collected through consumer Paypal accounts and sent via Western Union using alternating recipient names to avoid transfer thresholds, the report said. In December 2021, al-Zaq asked for Bitcoin and other digital assets to hide senders and locations. After an exchange flagged the funds, co-conspirators moved to other platforms, the report added. Proceedings continue in Paris and US federal courts.
What to watch: Judicial proceedings remain ongoing in both Paris and US federal courts, with authorities seeking to prosecute suspects and trace digital assets.
Live updates on NewsFeeds:RegulationDesk editor: Keshav Aggarwal (accountable for this page; this summary was not edited by hand)
How this was produced: an AI model wrote this summary of Bitcoin.com News’s report, which we credit and link above. Read our Editorial and AI policy. Spotted a mistake? See Corrections.
Not investment advice. Read the risk disclaimer.