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Global crypto enforcement power surged as a sweeping multinational crackdown used blockchain intelligence to strike directly at the profitable Illegal Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) piracy networks long fueled by digital payments.
Binance, EU Agencies Target IPTV Piracy Networks
Crypto exchange Binance announced on Nov. 26 that it assisted the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation and the European Union Intellectual Property Office in Cyber Patrol, a coordinated action involving more than 15 national law enforcement bodies to disrupt the financial activity sustaining Illegal Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) piracy networks.
“The intelligence shows that cryptocurrency has fast become a new payment method used by digital pirates,” Binance stated, adding:
This operation marks a turning point in how we combat piracy by cutting off the payment mechanisms that fuel illicit services and striking at the very heart of their business model.
The Intellectual Property Crime Coordinated Coalition directed the initiative with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, while authorities from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic carried out coordinated investigative tasks.
Industry contributors, including the Premier League, Irdeto, the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance, Chainalysis, Maltego, and major crypto exchanges, provided intelligence used to chart subscription funnels, reseller arrangements, laundering layers, and intermediary accounts tied to Illegal Internet Protocol Television platforms.
Read more: Binance CEO Declares Crypto Mainstream, Sees ‘Very Bullish’ Trend
Binance said its investigators acted on alerts arising from the sprint and restricted accounts connected to piracy-related flows. Lilija Mazeikiene, Binance EMEA Head of Investigations, explained: “This joint effort underscores the importance and power of public and private collaboration in tackling digital crime, which has been integral to our work at Binance. It also highlights how crime cannot easily hide on the blockchain, where the pseudo-anonymous nature of crypto makes illicit transactions easier to uncover than cash and other forms of payment. Digital pirates will soon realize that crypto will make it harder for them to hide.”
Cyber Patrol identified 69 pirate domains, referred 25 IPTV services for disruption, opened 44 further inquiries, and traced about $55 million in crypto. The outcome shows how blockchain transparency can counter criminal ecosystems and supports arguments that crypto strengthens financial integrity.
FAQ ⏰
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What did Cyber Patrol target in its crackdown?
It targeted financial flows powering Illegal Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) piracy networks. -
How much crypto did investigators trace during the operation?
They followed roughly $55 million in crypto tied to piracy activity. -
How did Binance contribute to the enforcement effort?
Binance restricted accounts linked to piracy-related transactions after receiving investigative alerts. -
How many pirate domains were identified?
Authorities uncovered 69 domains connected to IPTV piracy networks.