Crypto fuels drone purchases in Russia and Iran, report says - Reuters

A new report indicates that cryptocurrency is being used to finance drone purchases by Russia and Iran, bypassing traditional financial sanctions and export controls. Both countries face U.S. and international restrictions on acquiring military technology, making digital currency an attractive alternative for circumventing banking systems that monitor weapons acquisitions. The use of crypto to fund drone programs is significant because unmanned aerial vehicles have become central to modern warfare, as demonstrated in Russia's operations in Ukraine and Iran's regional military activities. This development underscores how adversaries are exploiting the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency to evade economic pressure designed to limit their military capabilities. The report adds to growing concerns among U.S. and allied officials about how digital assets are enabling sanctions evasion by hostile nations.