Cash-for-Crypto Laundromat Used to Fund Marsalek’s UK Spy Ring

Russian intelligence services helped fund the former Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek’s spy ring by using a cash-to-cryptocurrency money laundering network, UK police said.

Nearly a year after the National Crime Agency shut down two Russian laundromats that transferred billions of dollars around the world, the agency revealed that one of the networks had attempted to fund a group of six Bulgarian nationals since convicted on espionage charges. The group spied on journalists and politicians and plotted assassinations before the network was dismantled.

The NCA said the “Smart” network operated by Russian businesswoman Ekaterina Zhdanova was used by individuals working ...