Crypto Donations to Extremist Groups Decline Globally, But Rise in Europe
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Felix Pinkston Jan 25, 2025 07:57 Despite a global decline in cryptocurrency donations to extremist groups, Europe sees a rise in such activities, driven by white supremacist and nationalist movements. Cryptocurrency donations to extremist groups have shown a global decline, yet Europe is witnessing a concerning rise in such activities. According to a recent report by Chainalysis, while overall crypto contributions to extremist groups have decreased, Europe is seeing a surge in donations to movements espousing white supremacist, nationalist, and anti-Semitic ideologies. Regulatory Challenges and Cryptocurrency Usage Extremist groups have increasingly turned to cryptocurrency due to debanking efforts that have excluded them from traditional financial systems. These groups exploit the anonymity and lack of regulation in cryptocurrency transactions to finance their operations, which often include propagating divisive ideologies and potentially inciting violence. Countries like the United States and European Union have taken steps to curb these financial streams. For instance, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the Nordic Resistance Movement, and the European Union has sanctioned The Base, a neo-Nazi group. These measures are part of broader strategies to counter racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism. Europe’s Growing Share in Extremist Financing Until 2017, North America accounted for most on-chain flows to extremist groups. However, since then, Europe’s share has increased significantly, capturing nearly 50% of total inflows between 2022 and 2024. This rise is attributed to divisive narratives that have gained traction in Europe, such as Holocaust denial and nationalist ideologies. European groups have successfully used these narratives to attract funding, particularly during politically charged events like national elections. The report highlights that major elections in Europe have acted as catalysts for increased donations, reflecting donor enthusiasm and strategic leveraging of political moments by these groups. Ideological Blending and Privacy Measures Extremist groups are also leveraging ideological overlaps to strengthen…
Filed under: News - @ January 25, 2025 10:26 am