Guarantex Crypto Exchange Dismantled In A Major International Repression

In a coordinated international operation, the United States Ministry of Justice, alongside the authorities of Germany and Finland, dismantled the exchange of Russian cryptocurrency Guarantx. This exchange was known for its deep involvement in the cybercrime economy, according to Chain-analysis.

The operation, which took place on March 7, 2025, led to the seizure of the Domains and Servers of Guarantx in Germany and Finland, as well as the freezing of more than $ 26 million in illicit funds. Criminal accusations have been filed against the scholarship administrators, Aleksej Bisciokov and Aleksandr Mira Serda, who are accused of having turned hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.

The role of Guarantx in illicit activities

Guarantx was not only an unregulated crypto exchange, but a cornerstone of the illegal cryptographic economy of Russia. Although he was sanctioned by the Office for the Control of Foreign Assets of the US Treasury (OFAC) in April 2022, he continued to facilitate money laundering for ransomware groups, the Darknet markets and other entities sanctioned. The exchange would have dealt with at least $ 96 billion in transactions since 2019.

The exchange has played a central role in money laundering for notorious ransomware groups like Conti, Black Basta and Play, which has an impact on many victims based in the United States. He also moved millions linked to Darknet markets, drug trafficking and sexual children’s abuse materials.

Impact and examination of guarantor chain activities

Guarantx was among the most prolific platforms for money laundering in the cryptography ecosystem, with illicit activities representing at least 1.35% of its total transactions. This figure translates into more than $ 1.3 billion in illicit funds, significantly higher than the 0.14% generally observed in compliant central exchanges.

The chain connections of the exchange included a wide range of illicit entities, scams and stolen funds for ransomware operations and sellers of illegal products. The Garantors administrators would have taken measures to hide these activities, in particular by providing false information to the Russian authorities and frequently modifying portfolio addresses to bypass conformity measures.

Future implications and international efforts

With its main dismantled infrastructure, the illicit guarantor clientele is likely to search for new channels for money laundering. This could lead to the emergence of successor exchanges or to a network of smaller and less detectable platforms, recalling the consequences of the Hydra Market stop.

The successful dismantling of Guarantx underlines the power of international collaboration and the advanced intelligence of blockchain in the fight against cybercrime. While global law enforcement agencies and blockchain analysis companies such as the channel chain continue to strengthen their partnerships, the ability of illicit actors to exploit cryptocurrencies is becoming more and more limited.

Image source: Shutterstock

(Tagstotranslate) ai

In a coordinated international operation, the United States Ministry of Justice, alongside the authorities of Germany and Finland, dismantled the exchange of Russian cryptocurrency Guarantx. This exchange was known for its deep involvement in the cybercrime economy, according to Chain-analysis.

The operation, which took place on March 7, 2025, led to the seizure of the Domains and Servers of Guarantx in Germany and Finland, as well as the freezing of more than $ 26 million in illicit funds. Criminal accusations have been filed against the scholarship administrators, Aleksej Bisciokov and Aleksandr Mira Serda, who are accused of having turned hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.

The role of Guarantx in illicit activities

Guarantx was not only an unregulated crypto exchange, but a cornerstone of the illegal cryptographic economy of Russia. Although he was sanctioned by the Office for the Control of Foreign Assets of the US Treasury (OFAC) in April 2022, he continued to facilitate money laundering for ransomware groups, the Darknet markets and other entities sanctioned. The exchange would have dealt with at least $ 96 billion in transactions since 2019.

The exchange has played a central role in money laundering for notorious ransomware groups like Conti, Black Basta and Play, which has an impact on many victims based in the United States. He also moved millions linked to Darknet markets, drug trafficking and sexual children’s abuse materials.

Impact and examination of guarantor chain activities

Guarantx was among the most prolific platforms for money laundering in the cryptography ecosystem, with illicit activities representing at least 1.35% of its total transactions. This figure translates into more than $ 1.3 billion in illicit funds, significantly higher than the 0.14% generally observed in compliant central exchanges.

The chain connections of the exchange included a wide range of illicit entities, scams and stolen funds for ransomware operations and sellers of illegal products. The Garantors administrators would have taken measures to hide these activities, in particular by providing false information to the Russian authorities and frequently modifying portfolio addresses to bypass conformity measures.

Future implications and international efforts

With its main dismantled infrastructure, the illicit guarantor clientele is likely to search for new channels for money laundering. This could lead to the emergence of successor exchanges or to a network of smaller and less detectable platforms, recalling the consequences of the Hydra Market stop.

The successful dismantling of Guarantx underlines the power of international collaboration and the advanced intelligence of blockchain in the fight against cybercrime. While global law enforcement agencies and blockchain analysis companies such as the channel chain continue to strengthen their partnerships, the ability of illicit actors to exploit cryptocurrencies is becoming more and more limited.

Image source: Shutterstock

(Tagstotranslate) ai

In a coordinated international operation, the United States Ministry of Justice, alongside the authorities of Germany and Finland, dismantled the exchange of Russian cryptocurrency Guarantx. This exchange was known for its deep involvement in the cybercrime economy, according to Chain-analysis.

The operation, which took place on March 7, 2025, led to the seizure of the Domains and Servers of Guarantx in Germany and Finland, as well as the freezing of more than $ 26 million in illicit funds. Criminal accusations have been filed against the scholarship administrators, Aleksej Bisciokov and Aleksandr Mira Serda, who are accused of having turned hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.

The role of Guarantx in illicit activities

Guarantx was not only an unregulated crypto exchange, but a cornerstone of the illegal cryptographic economy of Russia. Although he was sanctioned by the Office for the Control of Foreign Assets of the US Treasury (OFAC) in April 2022, he continued to facilitate money laundering for ransomware groups, the Darknet markets and other entities sanctioned. The exchange would have dealt with at least $ 96 billion in transactions since 2019.

The exchange has played a central role in money laundering for notorious ransomware groups like Conti, Black Basta and Play, which has an impact on many victims based in the United States. He also moved millions linked to Darknet markets, drug trafficking and sexual children’s abuse materials.

Impact and examination of guarantor chain activities

Guarantx was among the most prolific platforms for money laundering in the cryptography ecosystem, with illicit activities representing at least 1.35% of its total transactions. This figure translates into more than $ 1.3 billion in illicit funds, significantly higher than the 0.14% generally observed in compliant central exchanges.

The chain connections of the exchange included a wide range of illicit entities, scams and stolen funds for ransomware operations and sellers of illegal products. The Garantors administrators would have taken measures to hide these activities, in particular by providing false information to the Russian authorities and frequently modifying portfolio addresses to bypass conformity measures.

Future implications and international efforts

With its main dismantled infrastructure, the illicit guarantor clientele is likely to search for new channels for money laundering. This could lead to the emergence of successor exchanges or to a network of smaller and less detectable platforms, recalling the consequences of the Hydra Market stop.

The successful dismantling of Guarantx underlines the power of international collaboration and the advanced intelligence of blockchain in the fight against cybercrime. While global law enforcement agencies and blockchain analysis companies such as the channel chain continue to strengthen their partnerships, the ability of illicit actors to exploit cryptocurrencies is becoming more and more limited.

Image source: Shutterstock

(Tagstotranslate) ai

nexa coinn