Russian police shut down 5 cryptocurrency exchanges linked to dark web drug markets

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Russian police dismantled 5 cryptocurrency exchanges suspected of laundering money for dark web drug markets and shut down related marketplaces and forums. Police said the platforms involved had processed more than 185,000 cryptocurrency transactions; 5 suspects have been detained. The Russian central bank requires licensed trading platforms to settle with clients at the time of execution or immediately afterward, a requirement that poses challenges for smaller exchanges.