Crypto for Secrets: Israeli Man Allegedly Traded Intel to Iran for Digital Currency

Espionage meets decentralized finance in a headline-grabbing case.

An Israeli national stands accused of swapping state secrets for cryptocurrency—proving once again that where there's a financial incentive, someone will always find a way (even if it's treason).

The alleged deal cuts through traditional intelligence channels, bypassing banks and borders with crypto's signature anonymity. No SWIFT transfers, no paper trails—just blockchain opacity and geopolitical risk.

And in classic crypto fashion, the promised payment may or may not have materialized. Some things never change—whether it's shitcoins or spycraft.

Paid in crypto

In the Sunday operation, authorities seized computers and digital storage devices suspected of being linked and used for communication with Iranian handlers working with Or Beilin, a Tel Aviv resident.

After his arrest, Beilin was brought before the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, which decided to extend his detention to June 26, pending investigation.

Beilin joins two others already in custody by Israeli police, including Dmitri Cohen, 28, from Haifa.

Cohen was arrested last month on suspicion of gathering intelligence on Amit Yardeni, who was set to marry Avner Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a separate report from the Times of Israel.

Cohen was reportedly promised $500 for each task and received thousands in crypto since working with Iranian agents. Another individual was arrested in the Sharon region, though the 19-year-old suspect was not named in local reports.

Decrypt reached out to Shin Bet and the Israel Police to confirm identities and if the arrests formed a pattern.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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