According to Reuters, Binance provided the Russian law enforcement agencies with client records and the information was later used to charge a Russian IT expert with alleged funding for relevant groups in Ukraine. The incident brought back the issue of data compliance and enforcement cooperation on the exchange.
Case history
According to Russian investigators, the subject was IT expert Yuri Belenkiy. According to law enforcement documents, Binance identified him as the source of the relevant transfers, amounting to over $700. Belenkiy was detained in September 2025 and is still awaiting trial.
What information did the exchange provide?
According to the documents cited, Binance also provided his birth date, address, telephone number and passport number, together with a copy of the Russian passport and the Bulgarian residence permit. The investigators stated that they had requested the transaction records through case@binanceholds.ru, and that the Binance website had previously led Russian and Russian law enforcement agencies to contact the mailbox.
Binance's response.
Binance states that companies cooperate with legitimate enforcement requests, provided that the applicable legal, privacy and regulatory requirements are met. The company did not respond to the details of the Belenkiy case, nor did it indicate whether the relevant disclosures might touch European data protection rules.
Background Timeline
- In September 2023, Binance sold Russian business to Commex.
- Binance stated at the time that continuing to operate in Russia was incompatible with its compliance strategy.
- It was also mentioned that relevant documents were obtained by organizations supporting the accused in Russian political cases.