A groundbreaking investigation reveals how Russian intelligence agencies are increasingly using cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, to fund covert operations. This new insight sheds light on a secret network connecting teenage spies and sanctioned entities, bypassing traditional financial systems and enabling clandestine missions across Europe. 17-year-old Canadian Laken Pavan is just one example of the rising use of this technology for espionage activities. A recent investigation by Reuters, in collaboration with blockchain firms Global Ledger and Recoveris, has revealed intricate details about how Russian intelligence operatives are utilizing Bitcoin to finance their operations. The investigation highlights a pattern of Bitcoin payments flowing through intermediate wallets to connect various operatives, ultimately revealing a vast network that spans across Europe. This money is then used to fund agents like Laken Pavan – who were recruited for their potential and lack of training. The funds used in these transactions were tracked by blockchain experts who followed each transfer, connecting it back to the Russian government. This new method allows Russia to circumvent international sanctions and operate with increased secrecy, making them virtually untraceable by traditional finance systems. This trend is further corroborated by Recoveris, a blockchain firm that has observed similar practices involving Belarusian and Ukrainian agents across Europe. These individuals were engaged in spreading political propaganda and conducting espionage activities, including installing hidden cameras and tagging city walls. The investigation confirms how these operations are fueled by Bitcoin’s anonymity and speed of transactions. The study also shows a direct connection between Bitcoin payments and sanctioned Russian entities. A specific address linked to the disgraced Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex was discovered to be part of this network, even though it has since been dismantled. This finding underscores the ongoing use of digital currencies to fund illegal activities in defiance of international sanctions. Cryptocurrency presents a significant challenge for authorities as it allows for rapid and unregulated international transactions, enabling Russia to continue its espionage operations. The continued use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, given their increasing anonymity and ease of operation in covert activities, will likely become the norm for state-sponsored actors like those operating in Russia.