Earlier today, a 22-count indictment was unsealed at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, charging Iurii Gugnin with multiple offenses including wire and bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, failing to implement an effective anti-money laundering compliance program, failing to file suspicious activity reports, and money laundering. Gugnin is accused of using his cryptocurrency company "Evita" to channel over $500 million in overseas payments through U.S. banks and cryptocurrency exchanges while concealing the transactions' sources and purposes. He was arrested this morning and arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl, who ordered him detained pending trial.
The arrest and charges were announced by Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office; Harry Chavis, Acting Special Agent in Charge at IRS-CI New York; and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge at BIS-OEE New York Field Office.
"As alleged, Gugnin came to the United States and set up a money laundering operation under the guise of a cryptocurrency start-up," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "Today’s arrest demonstrates that this Office will vigorously prosecute those who abuse the U.S. financial system."
Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg added that "the defendant is charged with turning a cryptocurrency company into a covert pipeline for dirty money." He emphasized that "the Department of Justice will not hesitate to bring to justice those who imperil our national security."
FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Raia stated that "Gugnin’s alleged scheme manipulated our nation’s financial infrastructure." IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Chavis noted that Gugnin allegedly used deception and fraud to cover up illicit transactions totaling more than $500 million.
Special Agent in Charge Carson highlighted that export control violations are often linked with serious criminal activities like illicit finance.
According to the indictment, Gugnin is affiliated with Evita Investments Inc. and Evita Pay Inc., collectively known as Evita. Between June 2023 and January 2025, he allegedly facilitated approximately $530 million through these entities using stablecoin Tether or “USDT.” The funds were reportedly converted into U.S. dollars or other fiat currencies through Manhattan bank accounts on behalf of foreign customers.
Gugnin is accused of lying about Evita's dealings with Russian entities and sanctioned banks such as PJSC Sberbank and JSC Tinkoff Bank while maintaining personal accounts at two sanctioned Russian banks himself.
Despite representing compliance with anti-money laundering regulations, Gugnin allegedly failed to implement necessary programs or file required reports under the Bank Secrecy Act. He also made false statements when registering Evita Pay as a money transmitter.
If convicted on all counts, Gugnin faces significant prison time: up to 30 years for bank fraud counts; 20 years for wire fraud-related counts; 10 years for failure to implement anti-money laundering measures; and five years for conspiracy charges.
Today's actions were coordinated through an interagency effort led by Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force aimed at targeting illicit actors affecting critical technology supply chains.
The prosecution is being managed by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Skurnik from the National Security Section along with paralegal specialist Emma Tavangari among others involved from various sections within government agencies.
