This week, the crypto industry was rocked by a scandal involving the AudiA6 crypto mixer, which allegedly helped launder nearly $400M. We break down the scheme and how serious the damage is.
Russian national Alexander Ledenev and Ukrainian national Ruslan Tkachuk were arrested in Batumi, Georgia. According to the US Department of Justice, they ran the AudiA6 crypto mixer and the Dark2Web cybercrime forum. Each faces up to 20 years in prison. The US intends to seek extradition.
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The service operated from 2021 onward and processed at least 10,333 BTC▲$63,809.00. At the time of the transactions, that was about $389M. The fee for “cleaning” crypto was as high as 5%.
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How the AudiA6 Crypto Mixer Laundered Money — and Who Promoted It
AudiA6 promised to turn “dirty” crypto into “clean” funds, lowering the AML risk score below 25%—low enough that exchanges wouldn’t block the money. The service was advertised on the Dark2Web forum, which the same two men also ran.
According to investigators, some funds came directly from darknet markets, ransomware, and other criminal schemes—about 393.39 BTC, roughly $19M. The rest flowed in indirectly, through additional layers of mixing. US agents conducted undercover test purchases, telling support that their funds were linked to drugs or scams. The service took the orders without question.
Why the US Is Seeking Extradition of the AudiA6 Leaders
The operation was a joint effort involving the US Secret Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Europol, and Eurojust. Law enforcement from Australia, Canada, France, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Poland, Switzerland, and the UK also participated.
Authorities searched three locations, seized more than 30 servers, took down 25 domains, and blocked Telegram accounts. They also confiscated over 80 cars and several properties. Law enforcement froze 692,000 euros in crypto and seized another 86,000 euros. The AudiA6 and Dark2Web websites now display seizure banners.
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Crypto Mixers (Again) in the Crosshairs
This operation sends a clear signal that the crackdown on crypto mixers is intensifying. Earlier this year, Eurojust shut down the Tycoon 2FA service. Last November, German and Swiss authorities dismantled a similar platform.
Only about 4% of the funds that passed through AudiA6 came directly from known illegal sources. The rest moved indirectly through multiple layers. Other mixers may go further underground or hike their fees. Exchanges, meanwhile, will likely tighten their AML checks.
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