US Sanctions Firm for Buying Stolen Tech with Millions in Crypto
On February 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned the Russian company "Operation Zero" and its associates for purchasing stolen U.S. technology using millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. The action, taken by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), targets Sergey Sergeyevich Zelenyuk and his firm for acquiring and reselling sensitive cyber tools. The Treasury stated the firm also sought to recruit hackers and build relationships with foreign intelligence agencies, offering the illicit tools for sale to exploit software vulnerabilities.
Defense Contractor Insider Facilitated Illicit Sale
The cyber tools were originally developed by a U.S. defense contractor for the exclusive use of the American government and its allies. According to the Justice Department, an Australian national named Peter Williams, a former employee at the contractor, stole the trade secrets and sold them to Operation Zero. Williams pleaded guilty to the charges last year. While the Treasury confirmed cryptocurrencies were used to fund these transactions, it did not blacklist any specific digital wallet addresses in its announcement. This enforcement represents the first time sanctions have been issued under the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act.
Treasury will continue to work alongside the rest of the Trump Administration to protect sensitive American intellectual property and safeguard our national security.
— Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury.
