Iurii Gugnin, the founder of a US-based crypto payments company, has been charged with orchestrating a money laundering operation involving over $530 million for sanctioned Russian banks and entities.
Gugnin faces a 22-count indictment that includes charges of wire and bank fraud, violations of US sanctions, money laundering, and failing to implement anti-money laundering protocols.
He allegedly used his companies to move funds through the US financial system, primarily using Tether's USDT stablecoin, and worked with clients linked to sanctioned Russian institutions.
If convicted, Gugnin could face up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud charges alone, but a guilty verdict on all counts could result in a much longer sentence fulfilling his lifetime.