Law enforcement takes down crypto exchange allegedly used to launder $15 million in ransomware payments

The Russian co-founder of a cryptocurrency exchange allegedly used to launder cybercrime proceeds was arrested early Wednesday morning in Miami, the Department of Justice announced. 

The arrest of Anatoly Legkodymov, who is charged with “unlicensed money transmitting,” is “a significant blow to the cryptocrime ecosystem,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. The exchange, Bitzlato, is based in China and registered in Hong Kong, and Legkodymov is described by the DOJ as a resident of Shenzhen. 

Legkodymov’s arrest coincided …

arrest arrested attorney attorney general bitzlato china co-founder crypto cryptocurrency cryptocurrency exchange cybercrime department department of justice down ecosystem enforcement exchange founder general hong kong justice kong law law enforcement lisa monaco miami monaco money payments ransomware russian the exchange