A US citizen from Springfield, Virginia has been sentenced to over three decades in federal prison after being convicted of using cryptocurrency to financially support the Islamic State (ISIS), a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US government.
Chhipa utilized social media to solicit donations, accepted funds electronically, and at times traveled significant distances to collect physical cash. He would later convert these funds into cryptocurrency, which he transmitted through intermediaries in Turkey to be smuggled into Syria for use by ISIS members.
“This defendant directly financed ISIS in its efforts to commit vile terrorist atrocities against innocent citizens in America and abroad,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in the statement.
“Those who fund and facilitate terror bear the same responsibility as those who carry out attacks,” said US Attorney Erik S. Siebert.
The press release also identified Chhipa’s primary co-conspirator as an ISIS member based in Syria. This individual played a role in raising funds for ISIS operations, including planned terrorist attacks and prison breakouts.
The use of cryptocurrency in this scheme reflects a trend in terror financing, where digital assets are now being exploited for their pseudonymous nature and ease of cross-border transfer.
Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView
