Monero: New source of ISIS funding
Recently, ISIS has resorted to a new source of financing as
an alternative to the virtual Bitcoin currency that it has used for some time
and through which it obtained donations from its supporters and elements. The
Monero-XMR cryptocurrency, which was launched in 2014, has become Tehran’s new
source of financing and an alternative to Bitcoin.
Monero-XMR cryptocurrency
Monroe-XMR is a cryptocurrency launched in 2014 that
provides more privacy than Bitcoin, as its transactions are hidden behind
encryption, which mainly protects addresses and amounts transferred, enhancing
the privacy of its users by concealing the identities of the sender and
recipient.
Funding terrorism
With ISIS entering its third year since it lost the oil
fields it controlled in Iraq and Syria, which had been one of its main sources
of funding, the terrorist organization was looking for another source of
funding in order to increase its terrorist operations.
The website Cointelegraph confirmed that ISIS recently
started calling on its supporters to switch to Monero-XMR so that the
organization can continue its operations and activities. BlockStein, a blockchain
technology company, noticed unprecedented activity on Monero-XMR, which provides
a secure transfer method without any security restrictions.
Meanwhile, the website Chainalysis, which is concerned with
protecting banks and financial institutions from the danger of money
laundering, confirmed that the financing of terrorism through cryptocurrencies
is still newly emerging, but the capabilities are advancing rapidly. However, at
the same time, it rejected claims that ISIS possesses nearly $300 million in
cryptocurrency donations, explaining that global media outlets inflated the
amount that the terrorist organization received, while most of the campaigns
did not exceed $10,000.
The website pointed out that this large number was first addressed
by Hans-Jakob Schindler of the global Counter Terrorism Project (CEP), who said
that by reviewing missing cryptocurrencies since 2017, this mechanism of
raising funds was confirmed for the terrorist organization, which would make the
process difficult for governments to pursue, as they would not be able to track
the money.
Threat continues
Despite the remarkable terrorist activity of ISIS cells in
Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Africa’s Sahel region more than eight months after
former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in an operation by the
international coalition forces in October 2019, the organization’s elements
continue to launch separate attacks in these countries.
The website Critical Threats, which specializes in groups
and organizations that pose a threat to peace in the Middle East, noted that
the increase in attacks recently indicates the beginning of the terrorist
organization’s quiet return; however, it may differ from the form it had taken
at the height of its strength in 2014. It also pointed out that ISIS as a
global network organization and should not be confused with the organization in
Syria and Iraq, indicating that its method of work is different outside the two
neighboring countries, where the danger remains great.
According to the website, the organization in Iraq
specifically is still trying to brace itself and search for more elements, as
well as former elements who went into hiding after losing the land they
controlled. The challenge for the United States is to prevent ISIS from inspiring
its supporters to launch bloody attacks around the world, which is more
important than striking the organization continuously.