# DOJ Charges Crypto Founder Over Russia Sanction Violations

*Author: Bankless*
*Published: Jun 10, 2025*
*Source: https://www.bankless.com/read/doj-charges-crypto-founder-over-russia-sanction-violations*

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Federal prosecutors charged Iurii Gugnin for laundering $500M, facilitating sanctioned Russian banks and Rosatom using crypto.

## **What’s the Scoop?**
- **Sanctions Evasion**: Iurii Gugnin, founder of Evita Pay, allegedly facilitated transactions with sanctioned Russian entities, including Rosatom and major Russian banks like Sberbank and VTB.
- **Money Laundering Tactics**: Gugnin is accused of laundering over $500M through U.S. banks, using crypto and mixers to obscure origins and avoid detection.
- **Severe Legal Consequences**: Gugnin faces up to 30 years per bank fraud conviction among 22 counts, underlining the U.S. government’s hardline stance on sanction violations.
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