India Arrests US DoJ Indicted Russian Crypto Exchange Garantex Administrator

Indian authorities have arrested the founding father of Russian cryptocurrency trade Garantex, Aleksej Besciokov, within the South Indian state of Kerala.

Besciokov has been arrested for facilitating cash laundering by transnational legal organizations, together with terrorist organizations, and sanctions violations.

“Since April 2019, Garantex processed at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions,” US Secret Service stated.

India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued a press release after the arrest on 12 March 2025, saying that Besciokov has been needed within the US for going through trial within the US District Courtroom for the Jap District Courtroom of Virginia.

In a coordinated motion with CBI, Kerala Police arrests needed legal of USA from Thiruvananthapuram pic.twitter.com/bVJZr1YEg2

— Central Bureau of Investigation (India) (@CBIHeadquarters) March 12, 2025

In line with a CNN report dated 12 March 2025, the arrest caps an intense US-led manhunt for Besciokov, that escalated final week with the seizure of the crypto trade, the freezing of $26 million in belongings and the unsealing of an indictment in opposition to Besciokov and an alleged confederate.

“I can confirm Aleksej Besciokov, one of the administrators of Garantex, was arrested in India at the request of the United States,” US Justice Division spokesperson Nicole Navas Oxman informed CNN.

On 6 March 2025, the Secret Service seized three web site domains used to help Garantex’s operations.

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Held On Prices Of Hacking, Ransomware, Terrorism And Drug Trafficking

Alexey Beschekov – co-founder of Garantex, a crypto trade that laundered $60B!

He was arrested in India on the U.S.’s request for cash laundering and sanctions violations.

He faces 5–20 years in jail. Garantex’s secrets and techniques will shock you. pic.twitter.com/oPxffq5AUs

— FinChain (@Defi_FinChain) March 12, 2025

Garantex has been on the radar of worldwide regulatory authorities for a while. The trade was blacklisted by the US Treasury’s Workplace of Overseas Belongings Management (OFAC) in April 2022. Garantex has a report of being below scrutiny for alleged ties to illicit monetary actions.

In line with US authorities, between 2019 and 2025, Russian nationwide Aleksandr Mira Serda and Lithuanian nationwide Besciokov managed and operated Garantex.

Mira Serda was Garantex’s co-founder and Chief Business Officer. Besciokov was Garantex’s major technical administrator and answerable for acquiring and sustaining vital Garantex infrastructure, in addition to reviewing and approving transactions.

“Garantex received hundreds of millions in criminal proceeds and was used to facilitate various crimes, including hacking, ransomware, terrorism, and drug trafficking, often with substantial impact to US victims,” the report stated.

Nevertheless, Besciokov had been dwelling in Russia, in accordance with the Justice Division. It’s unclear why Besciokov traveled to India. The CBI added that Besciokov was planning to flee India as nicely.

EXPLORE: EU Provides Russian Crypto Exchange Garantex To Its Sanctions Checklist

EU Provides Russian Crypto Exchange Garantex To Its Sanctions Checklist

The European Union (EU) has added the Russia-based cryptocurrency trade, Garantex, to its sixteenth sanctions package deal.

Introduced on 24 February 2025, the press launch from the European Council stated, “For the first time, the Council also decided to sanction, a crypto-currency exchange based in Russia, Garantex, which is closely associated with EU-sanctioned Russian banks.”

In accordance the council, the sixteenth sanctions package deal “continues targeting actors responsible for circumventing EU sanctions, including through third countries.”

“Sanctions will also be imposed on third countries actors directly supporting the Russian war effort,” the EU added.

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Key Takeaways

Garantex is a cryptocurrency trade that has been on the radar of worldwide regulatory authorities for a while.

The platform has allegedly been concerned in facilitating transactions that enabled cash laundering actions, drawing consideration from regulation enforcement businesses worldwide.