Russia Sanctions 17-Year-Old Researcher Over $350B Crypto Laundering Report

According to a March 2026 report from the Henry Jackson Society, 17-year-old British researcher Alexander Browder alleged that Russia, Iran and North Korea collectively laundered around US$350 billion through cryptocurrency channels. Russia has now sanctioned Browder and barred him from entering the country, citing the research as "defamatory speculations and false information."

Browder's investigation highlighted the A7A5 rouble-pegged stablecoin and a network that UK authorities said claimed to have processed more than US$90 billion in transactions. Browder responded to the sanctions on X, calling them "a badge of honour" and stating he had "exposed their Achilles' heel."