INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A Ukrainian volunteer group has received over $4 million in bitcoin donationsA Ukrainian volunteer group that provides equipment to the
country's army has received over $4 million in bitcoin donations since Russia launched its invasion on Thursday, according to blockchain
analysis firm Elliptic.London-based Elliptic said earlier this month that donations to Ukrainian volunteer and hacking groups had soared as
Russian troops massed near the border
Since the invasion, however, it has tracked transfers of much larger sums to these groups.One Ukrainian volunteer group, Come Back Alive,
received $3 million in a single bitcoin donation alone on Friday, Elliptic said, though the identity of those behind the donations was
unclear as bitcoin and other tokens can be sent and received anonymously.Missiles pounded Kyiv on Friday and families cowered in bomb
shelters as Russian forces pressed their advance and authorities said they were girding for an assault aimed at overthrowing the
government.Kyiv-based Come Back Alive, which says it provides kit and medical supplies to Ukraine's army including drones and sniper-rifle
worth $167,000 in over a dozen transactions between August and early February
organisations to raise money even if financial firms do not allow, or impose strict checks on, transfers of funds.Ukraine tightened checks
on transfers of funds in 2020 to curb money laundering, demanding ID verification for some domestic cash transfers
Cross-border transfers are also subject to mandatory monitoring.
