The Justice Department said Hamas originally controlled the seized infrastructure and cryptocurrency addresses on behalf of its military wing.
By Shula Rosen
The Justice Department announced it had disrupted a Hamas fundraising and recruitment operation, seizing about $560,000 in cryptocurrency intended for the terrorist organization’s Al Qassam Brigades and taking control of websites and other online infrastructure used by the group.
The operation targeted cryptocurrency addresses and communications platforms that Hamas allegedly used to solicit donations and recruit supporters.
The Justice Department said Hamas originally controlled the seized infrastructure and cryptocurrency addresses on behalf of its military wing.
“These seizures deprive Hamas of resources it relies on to recruit and radicalize individuals online and finance barbaric attacks like the one on October 7, 2023,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said.
US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia warned Hamas that US authorities would continue targeting its financial networks.
“A message to Hamas: We will stop your fundraising for terror,” Pirro said. “Your networks are not secure, your crypto is vulnerable, and we will not stop until your ability to wage war is defeated.”
Court documents allege that a group chat claiming ties to Hamas used an encrypted communications platform to direct supporters to a fundraising website. Potential donors were provided with a rotating series of cryptocurrency addresses.
Investigators relied on information from multiple human sources to identify, trace and seize approximately $560,000 intended for the Al Qassam Brigades on March 25, 2025, June 25, 2025, and Oct. 10, 2025, according to three unsealed cryptocurrency seizure warrants.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office also worked with human sources to identify and seize domains and servers controlled by the Al Qassam Brigades, including infrastructure supporting its main website, AlQassam.ps.
Taking control of the domains and servers allowed investigators to intercept cryptocurrency donations intended for Hamas.
The FBI also obtained information on thousands of people who contacted Hamas online seeking to donate or attempting to donate through cryptocurrency and traditional methods.
The bureau said the information would be used in future counterterrorism efforts.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office is investigating in coordination with the bureau’s Counterterrorism Division, Cyber Division and New York Field Office.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!