Russian Athlete Accused of Crypto Ransom Hacking Released in Prisoner Swap with France
French authorities have released Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian basketball player accused by U.S. officials of participating in cryptocurrency ransomware attacks. The swap—reminiscent of the Brittney Griner case—saw Kasatkin exchanged for a French national held in Russia. Paris had initially approved his extradition to America before intervention at the ministerial level.
Kasatkin was arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport in June 2025 following an FBI warrant. Investigators allege he facilitated cyberattacks where hackers encrypted corporate data and demanded payments in digital assets. The case underscores growing concerns about crypto's role in transnational cybercrime.
His French lawyer confirmed the athlete's return to Moscow, crediting 'hard work' by the defense team. The resolution avoids a protracted legal battle over jurisdiction, setting a potential precedent for future cybersecurity-related extraditions involving cryptocurrency payments.