U.S. Justice Department disrupts cryptocurrency funding scheme linked to Hamas

Wednesday 02 September 2026 - 11:45

By: Azzat Manal

U.S. Justice Department disrupts cryptocurrency funding scheme linked to Hamas

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the disruption of a cryptocurrency-based fundraising network that authorities say was used to support Hamas and its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.

According to the department, more than $560,000 worth of cryptocurrency was seized as part of the investigation. Authorities said the digital assets were intended to provide financial support to the Al-Qassam Brigades, while online platforms connected to the network were allegedly used to solicit donations and attract new supporters.

The operation also targeted websites, domains and digital infrastructure that investigators said were controlled by Hamas-linked actors. U.S. officials said the measures were designed to cut off financial resources that could be used for recruitment and other activities, while disrupting the group's ability to operate fundraising channels online.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said the seizures were intended to deprive Hamas of resources used to finance its activities and recruit supporters. He added that the Justice Department would continue targeting the group's online networks, seizing digital assets and taking down websites associated with the fundraising operation.

Court documents cited in the case indicate that a group claiming links to Hamas used an encrypted communications platform to direct supporters toward a cryptocurrency donation website. Investigators said the group provided changing digital wallet addresses to receive transfers, making it possible to move funds through different cryptocurrency accounts.

U.S. authorities said investigators, working with human sources, were able to identify, trace and seize cryptocurrency worth approximately $560,000. The seizures were carried out under court orders issued in March, June and October 2025.

The FBI's Albuquerque field office also worked with human sources to identify and seize domains and servers that authorities said were associated with the Al-Qassam Brigades. Investigators were able to take control of infrastructure linked to the group's main website and intercept digital donations allegedly intended for the organization.

The investigation also generated information on thousands of individuals who had communicated with Hamas-linked networks online and allegedly sought to provide financial support through cryptocurrency or conventional payment methods. Authorities said the information could be used in future counterterrorism investigations.

The FBI said the case remains under investigation in cooperation with its counterterrorism and cybercrime units, as well as its New York field office. Prosecutors and Justice Department attorneys are handling the legal proceedings.