A Polish government representative stated that the Russian Federation is actively using cryptocurrencies to finance diversionary operations in European Union countries.
This is reported by Business • Media
Cryptocurrencies as a tool of Russia’s hybrid warfare
The head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, Sławomir Cenckiewicz, emphasized that Russian intelligence services are using digital assets to pay for the actions of saboteurs conducting hybrid attacks against EU states. He included not only drone incursions but also acts of sabotage, particularly attempts to interfere with the operation of water supply systems and other critical infrastructure facilities.
According to Cenckiewicz, the use of cryptocurrencies complicates the work of intelligence services trying to track financial flows, as these digital assets allow participants in transactions to maintain relative anonymity.
Moreover, he added that the network of agents recruited by the Russian GRU and uncovered in Poland in 2023 was “largely financed through cryptocurrencies.” Warsaw believes that Moscow continues to use this method of financing today, the statement said.
Sanctions and countering Russia’s cryptocurrency schemes
The threat posed by the use of cryptocurrencies by Russian intelligence services has drawn the attention of European and British authorities. In August 2025, the UK government announced the introduction of sanctions against several financial and cryptocurrency organizations from Russia and Kyrgyzstan that, according to official London, facilitate the circumvention of international restrictions.
Polish intelligence services are calling for enhanced international cooperation to more effectively track and block the financing of diversionary networks associated with the Russian Federation through cryptocurrency platforms.