US Treasury Sanctions Russian Exploit Brokerage Network Over Crypto-Funded Cyber Theft

The US Treasury Department has taken a significant step in protecting sensitive American intellectual property and safeguarding national security by imposing sanctions on a Russian exploit brokerage network.

Operation Zero, based in St. Petersburg, Russia, is accused of purchasing stolen cyber tools with cryptocurrency and reselling them to unauthorized buyers, including foreign intelligence services.

The network's activities are allegedly linked to the theft of at least eight proprietary cyber tools developed by a US defense contractor for exclusive use by the US government and select allies.

The Treasury Department has designated Russian national Sergey Sergeyevich Zelenyuk and his company, Operation Zero, along with several associates and affiliated firms. The sanctions block any property or interests in property of the designated parties under US jurisdiction and bar US persons from transacting with them.