<p>A French computer programmer transferred more than USD 500,000 in Bitcoin to far-right activists just before his death last month, including some involved in last weeks riot in Washington, researchers said Friday.</p>.<p>Chainalysis, a firm that investigates Bitcoin transactions, found that the majority of the 22 transactions on Dec. 8 went to Nick Fuentes, a far-right Internet influencer who was in the protest crowd but denies being part of the deadly mob at the Capitol building.</p>.<p>The 35-year-old Frenchman who transferred the money posted a suicide note on his blog the day after the Dec. 8 transactions, saying he was chronically ill and wanted to leave his wealth to “certain causes and people.”</p>.<p>Chainalysis did not release the man's identity but, retracing the researchers' steps, an Associated Press journalist found his blog, suicide note, and a cached version of his obituary confirmed his death the same day.</p>.<p>Federal investigators in the U.S. are looking into possible “coordination or planning" ahead of the riot and are using a number of methods they deploy routinely in criminal investigations, including examining financial transactions and cellphone and travel records.</p>.<p>Michael Sherwin, the U.S. attorney in Washington, said investigators were also examining whether there was any “command and control” and vowed to bring charges if prosecutors could prove a conspiracy. But so far, no such conspiracy charges have been brought.</p>.<p>The Chainalysis investigation found that the Frenchman sent 28.15 Bitcoins, worth about USD 522,000 to 22 addresses, including many belonging to American far-right activists and organisations. Fuentes received about USD 250,000 worth. Other recipients included an anti-immigration organisation, an alt-right streamer and a number of unidentified addresses.</p>.<p>“The donation, as well as reports of the planning that went into the Capitol raid on alt-right communication channels, also suggests that domestic extremist groups may be better organized and funded than previously thought,” the researchers wrote.</p>.<p>French financial investigators did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>A French computer programmer transferred more than USD 500,000 in Bitcoin to far-right activists just before his death last month, including some involved in last weeks riot in Washington, researchers said Friday.</p>.<p>Chainalysis, a firm that investigates Bitcoin transactions, found that the majority of the 22 transactions on Dec. 8 went to Nick Fuentes, a far-right Internet influencer who was in the protest crowd but denies being part of the deadly mob at the Capitol building.</p>.<p>The 35-year-old Frenchman who transferred the money posted a suicide note on his blog the day after the Dec. 8 transactions, saying he was chronically ill and wanted to leave his wealth to “certain causes and people.”</p>.<p>Chainalysis did not release the man's identity but, retracing the researchers' steps, an Associated Press journalist found his blog, suicide note, and a cached version of his obituary confirmed his death the same day.</p>.<p>Federal investigators in the U.S. are looking into possible “coordination or planning" ahead of the riot and are using a number of methods they deploy routinely in criminal investigations, including examining financial transactions and cellphone and travel records.</p>.<p>Michael Sherwin, the U.S. attorney in Washington, said investigators were also examining whether there was any “command and control” and vowed to bring charges if prosecutors could prove a conspiracy. But so far, no such conspiracy charges have been brought.</p>.<p>The Chainalysis investigation found that the Frenchman sent 28.15 Bitcoins, worth about USD 522,000 to 22 addresses, including many belonging to American far-right activists and organisations. Fuentes received about USD 250,000 worth. Other recipients included an anti-immigration organisation, an alt-right streamer and a number of unidentified addresses.</p>.<p>“The donation, as well as reports of the planning that went into the Capitol raid on alt-right communication channels, also suggests that domestic extremist groups may be better organized and funded than previously thought,” the researchers wrote.</p>.<p>French financial investigators did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>