30 Years for Funding ISIS: Crypto Trail Leads to Harsh U.S. Sentence
A federal judge sentenced Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa to 30 years and four months in prison for funneling over $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS. The Department of Justice revealed the case on May 8, marking a stark warning to crypto-enabled terror financiers.
Between 2019 and 2022, Chhipa systematically converted cash to crypto, transferring funds to operatives in Turkey. These transactions ultimately supported ISIS fighter salaries and prison breaks for female members. Blockchain forensics proved pivotal in tracing the disguised flows.
U.S. agencies now prioritize tracking crypto terrorism financing globally. The sentencing aligns prison terms for digital asset-enabled terror funding with penalties for violent offenses—a deliberate escalation in enforcement posture.
