Key facts
- Ruslan Tkachuk and Alexander Ledenev have been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice.
- The charges relate to the operation of AudiA6, a cryptocurrency mixing service.
- AudiA6 allegedly laundered approximately $389 million in bitcoin since 2021.
- Tkachuk and Ledenev were arrested in Georgia.
- Extradition to the U.S. is pending for the defendants.
U.S. federal prosecutors have charged two individuals, Ruslan Tkachuk and Alexander Ledenev, with operating AudiA6, a cryptocurrency mixing service and cybercrime platform. The service allegedly laundered approximately $389 million in bitcoin since 2021. Tkachuk and Ledenev were arrested in Georgia and are awaiting extradition to the U.S. to face charges. The investigation and subsequent charges were a joint effort involving U.S. and international law enforcement agencies.